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Baby names

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

Original poster

Reese

34 replies

Jojo13 · 03/10/2016 15:36

Love the sound of this name (for a girl) but don't really like the spelling for some reason.
Prefer the spelling of Reece, but don't particularly like the idea of people assuming boy. Do you think they would? Any suggestions? Obviously Rhys, but again, that's the male version?

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AngelicaSchuylerChurch · 05/10/2016 10:39

I think it's worth bearing in mind that not only will people initially assume it's a boy's name on paper, the various spellings of Rhys / Reese / Reece / Reiss are pretty popular right now (the British baby names blog puts the combined spellings at #81 nationally). Certainly in the school where I teach a female Reese would very likely be in a class with at least one male Rhys / Reese etc. Depends on whether or not that would bother you.

Nonameyet1 · 05/10/2016 10:03

I love Reece, and my husband really wanted it. However, I'm a teacher and would assume it was a boy but it is really nice and once teachers knew it was girl in reception it wouldn't be a problem for the rest of her school days.

Original poster
Jojo13 · 05/10/2016 09:18

Wow! A mixed bag of opinions there, thanks all!

Luna, pretty sure Reece is usually listed as a unisex name (although, granted, it is much more common for a boy) certainly not suggesting it because i think the movie star makes it ok!

Generally I like short, not too sickly/girlie names so feel free to help me add to my list (reese remains firmly on the list btw!)

Thanks everyone!

OP posts:
FrancisCrawford · 04/10/2016 15:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RepentAtLeisure · 04/10/2016 15:47

People will probably think boy initially, I was coming into this thread with a quote from Malcolm in the Middle for example, but they'll learn otherwise. If you like it, go for it.

NuffSaidSam · 04/10/2016 13:46

I quite like it. I quite like a lot of 'boys' names used for girls.

I think people will generally assume she's a boy though because it is a boys name.

I would use the spelling Reese, because Reese Witherspoon is well know enough that seeing Reese might as least suggest 'girl' to some people. Also, if she says her name I think people will assume it's 'Reese' because she's a girl. If you go for Rhys or Reece it's likely to be constantly misspelt.

It does sound a lot like grease though. Greasy Reesey.

YoungBritishPissArtist · 04/10/2016 12:16

Reese Witherspoon's first name isn't even Reese, it's Laura.

I think it's more a boy's name.

Hellochicken · 04/10/2016 11:53

I wouldn't assume Reece was a boy, I would think it could be either. Definitely prefer Reece to Reese(looks like cheese)

However Rhys is a boy's name.

JennyOnAPlate · 04/10/2016 11:50

I would assume boy because it's a boys name.

NiceCuppaTeaAndASitDown · 04/10/2016 11:48

I know a female Reece, although it's short for Theresa. I really like it and it perfectly suits her

Meadows76 · 04/10/2016 11:45

lol at the suggestion I'm not calm.

chinlo · 04/10/2016 11:27

Calm down Meadows. No harm in offering a suggestion. If the OP doesn't like it, she can ignore it!

Meadows76 · 04/10/2016 11:23

I'm offering a different spelling when it's written down. No you are not. Theresa is not a different spelling of Reece/Reese it is a completely different name and sound for goodness sake

CocoLoco87 · 04/10/2016 09:59

Meadows, OP says she loves the sound of the name but not the spelling... I'm offering a different spelling when it's written down...one that's clearly for a girl. Didnt think it was a bad suggestion!

Meadows76 · 04/10/2016 09:32

Can you call her Theresa and use Reese for short?. What is the actual point in that? OP likes the name Reese not Theresa lol.

Caldini22 · 04/10/2016 09:20

I thought boy when I saw the title of the post but I actually do like for a girl.

Seekingmiracles · 04/10/2016 09:12

I think it's becoming more common for a girl. I quite like it. I'd use Reece I think...

Seekingmiracles · 04/10/2016 09:12

I think it's becoming more common for a girl. I quite like it. I'd use Reece I think...

LunaLoveg00d · 04/10/2016 09:09

Unless your surname is Witherspoon I wouldn't. Or you have a business making peanut butter cups.

Rhys - and all the other convoluted spellings is a boys name, irrespective of a US film star using it. Just because there's a Cameron Diaz that doesn't mean Cameron is a girl's name either.

Showgirl109 · 04/10/2016 05:58

We have Reese as a middle name for a girl. I love the name, we nearly went as first name but thought it would be to easily confused as a boys name. But we live in Wales so Rhys is very common.

katemess12 · 04/10/2016 05:37

Yep, Ricci is "richie" or "reechie" (depending on accent).

I would always assume Rhys/Reece/Reese was a boy, regardless of spelling. If you insist on using it for a girl, though, go with Reese because of Reese Witherspoon.

PoldarksBreeches · 04/10/2016 05:32

Ricci is pronounced 'Richie' not reesey!

thehugemanatee · 04/10/2016 05:21

There's also Ricci (pronounced 'reesey') which you could use and say 'reese' for short.

Simmi1 · 04/10/2016 04:23

Yes I like the Theresa option. I would think Reece is a boy.

CocoLoco87 · 04/10/2016 04:20

Can you call her Theresa and use Reese for short?

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