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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

River?

41 replies

overworkedundersexed · 16/08/2016 21:33

I adore this name so much, for a boy. Our DD has a very traditional, queen's name so this would be a change of direction. Our surname starts with R so lovely alliteration.
What do you think? Too unusual? Do you know any? Could he be prime minister with a name like that? (If he wanted to be)
I know River Phoenix will be first to pop into your head....

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civilfawlty · 23/08/2016 20:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Vixxfacee · 23/08/2016 19:56

Civil how did you know the name last week when it's just been announced Grin

Cami12 · 23/08/2016 06:27

And I agree, the repeated 'iver' in River Oliver does not work... They shoulda left it for someone else with a better fitting surname to use!!Smile

Cami12 · 23/08/2016 06:24

Bummer. I do think it will sound a bit copy cat-ish, as the births will be so close. But in a few years all will be forgotten and you son will still have the name you love.
At least it's the Olivers and not a more dreadful celeb couple? Katie Price made the name Harvey unusable for years but I see on this site it's creeping back in. People forget.

civilfawlty · 23/08/2016 05:00

I did try to suggest it had just been used by a celeb! Grin I really don't think it means you can't, or shouldn't. Just that people will forever ask you if you were inspired by them!

RedLarvaYellowLarva · 22/08/2016 22:22

My kids are called Keith, Gary and Alan - what are you saying? ;)

I do totally totally know! Twice it happened to me, slightly different as I said before but I LOVED Phoenix for years, and then Scary nabbed it, and it totally ruined it for me. Then with the second time with the sleb using the name we'd registered only a few weeks prior, I was really gutted. It's about the same level of unusualness as River, so not totally owned like River Oliver, and unlike someone calling their child Moonunit. And actually, this was their second child and their first child has a totally top ten name, so I am a bit annoyed they went so far out with their second choice! I shall just ignore them!

Original poster
overworkedundersexed · 22/08/2016 21:32

I'm only 6 weeks, so plenty of time to find another suitable name!
Thanks for your suggestions RedLarva - I'll mull them over...
I know I could still call the babe River but it has taken the wind out of my sails.
I think if you're going to have 5 children you should have to have boring names (Keith, Gary, Alan) for the last few to save the good ones for the rest of us!

OP posts:
RedLarvaYellowLarva · 22/08/2016 21:24

Aw, overworked.
How long til due?
And I agree with others, River isn't so out there that the Olivers will be solely associated with it. River Oliver doesn't go - maybe they will change their minds!!! Depends if you will feel it's like you copied them. I do know what it's like when a sleb steals your name - happened to me twice. Once years before I had kids (Scary Spice - Phoenix) and once a few weeks AFTER I'd named my child, already registered so I just had to suck that one up.

Can I suggest some more anyway?
Storm?
Winter/Autumn?
Archer
Lake
Leif
Drake
Brock
Asher

raisedbyguineapigs · 22/08/2016 20:13

I love River. My DS has a boy in his class called River. River Oliver sounds stupid though! What a waste when you could have had it Grin

insancerre · 22/08/2016 20:09

I know a little girl called River
It suits her

BendydickCuminsnatch · 22/08/2016 20:03

Don't worry, I know 2 baby Rivers, you can still use it! River Oliver isn't the only one! :)

EssentialHummus · 22/08/2016 20:00

"River Oliver" has a terrible slant rhyme to it, no? I thought they went in for flower-y names.

Original poster
overworkedundersexed · 22/08/2016 19:55

Thank you for trying RedLarva but I don't think I'm ready to move on yet!

OP posts:
RedLarvaYellowLarva · 22/08/2016 19:44

Dammit. That sucks.

How about:
Ocean
Beaumont (beautiful mountain)
Wade
Reef

Original poster
overworkedundersexed · 22/08/2016 19:18

Jools Oliver has stolen it SadSadSadAngryAngryAngryAngryAngry

OP posts:
civilfawlty · 17/08/2016 16:09

A celeb couple have just named their baby River. Imagine people will think you're copying them, which might be annoying after a while.

Mama1980 · 17/08/2016 16:04

I love the name
Firefly was my first thought

EssentialHummus · 17/08/2016 16:03

I like it but not keen on the RR alliteration.

MrsGsnow18 · 17/08/2016 15:55

I know a little girl called River in real life. Before that I had thought of it as more of a boy's name because of River Phoenix.
I think it's definitely becoming more unisex but still a lovely unusual name.

DerelictMyBalls · 17/08/2016 14:13

Lovely. I like it for a boy and a girl.

ClockMakerSue · 17/08/2016 10:23

After reading this yesterday, I then read that Kelly Clarkson has a daughter called River Rose. I'd still say unisex but would be interested to find out if it is as unisex as I think or if more boys/girls were named it in the last few years.

Sophronia · 16/08/2016 23:31

I love it for a boy

squoosh · 16/08/2016 23:25

I'd assume you were a mega River Phoenix fan and that your inner 15 year old self was still in mourning.

He was very pretty indeed.

augustusdecimus · 16/08/2016 23:15

It's absolutely a boy's name for me.

Yes, I think immediately of River Phoenix.

But it's a very cool name imo.

TwoLittleBlooms · 16/08/2016 22:22

I really like River for a boy. Very cool.

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