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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Really love the name River but a question

33 replies

RedCrab · 15/01/2017 15:11

How do you use it/ what kind of surname do you need to have without it sounding like it's the title of an actual river?

Our surname with it sounds like an actual river somewhere. But I love it so much for Dd2 due soon. Gah.

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LoupGarou · 19/01/2017 16:05

I think its a lovely name and makes me think of the female character of the same name from Firefly.

MarmiteDoesYouGood · 19/01/2017 10:28

It works because they're all pretty out there names! Quincy and Hero don't exactly "match" in any way, so adding River doesn't really change anything in that regard, in my opinion.

Original poster

RedCrab · 19/01/2017 08:24

We have Ds Quincy and DD Hero. So it would be Quincy, Hero and River. Does that work? Don't know if it even really matters but it seems a bit jumbled up.

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ErrolTheDragon · 18/01/2017 18:43

I was once on a thread where the number of rivers with the same, or same root name came up, eg Tamar and Thames, and one of the posters happened to be called RiverTam ... and I started wondering where it was for quite a while ... the daft thing was I was in the middle of rewatching Firefly! so yes ... it can sound like a river name, but also another popular culture example of it being used for a girl.

Enidblyton1 · 18/01/2017 18:30

A girl at DD's school is called River. Before I met her I assumed she would be a boy, but I see no reason why it shouldn't be a girls name. I really like it. Is only avoid it if your surname is the name of an actual river.

MiniMaxi · 18/01/2017 18:10

I love the name River (for a boy)

In terms of surnames just avoid the names of actual rivers... And maybe place names in general. I don't think it goes too well with surnames ending in -er either (River Oliver recently named by Jamie Oliver which sounds a bit clunky to me)

Twoevils · 18/01/2017 10:54

I've come across a male Rivern recently, would that work for you?

TheTartOfAsgard · 18/01/2017 10:50

I love the name river - it's on my list for this one!
Doesn't go with my surname as it is a 'place' name but runs smoothly with dps

insancerre · 17/01/2017 06:13

Wench
Do you live in Lancs?
If so, I know the same River. Probably
Grandad is an ex footballer?

Wenchelda · 16/01/2017 22:26

I know a 5yo girl called River. She has a double barrelled surname. I thought it an odd name choice when I first met her but it totally suits her and the double barrelled surname makes her sound nothing like an actual river.

Jooni · 15/01/2017 21:41

Agree that it's probably ok as long as your surname isn't a real life river. I actually quite like the idea of River on a girl.

Pluto30 · 15/01/2017 19:46

It works if your surname is Phoenix, and doesn't work otherwise, IMO.

Otherwise, something common like River Jones or River James etc.

Rinmybell · 15/01/2017 18:27

I know a girl River. She's stunning and it does sound like the name of a river with her surname but she kind of rocks it?!

harderandharder2breathe · 15/01/2017 17:59

Well I used to know someone with the surname Nile... guessing that wouldn't work!

GruochMacAlpin · 15/01/2017 15:48

Thanks Red

Regarding River I think it's ok as long as your surname isn't the name of an actual river e.g. Trent, Clyde, Tay or Tweed.

SuperFlyHigh · 15/01/2017 15:44

My friend had a boy she called Riva, 27 years ago! Really suits him though.

AutoFillContact65 · 15/01/2017 15:43

The rhyming names sounds ridiculous but I think what is worse is that both are unusual and when put together no one ever says them correctly nor can anyone spell them.

Put my unusual first name with a straightforward surname and suddenly everyone can pronounce my first name and / or spell it correctly. But paired with the odd surname then I have to correct most folks about both names. It's tedious.

CostaAddict · 15/01/2017 15:39

I know of a river but it's spelled Rhiver. He also has 6 middle names and a very common surname (like Smith for example).

He actually suits his name but no idea how he's going to fit 8 names on official documents

DesolateWaist · 15/01/2017 15:36

The River that I know has a surname that it is a very common surname.
That works well.

insancerre · 15/01/2017 15:32

I used to look after a little girl called River
I really like it and think it could work wijvany surname

Original poster

RedCrab · 15/01/2017 15:29

Gruoch I caught it too - don't aplogise though, people kinda need to be able to spell their chosen names

Rhyming names Auto - does it really do your head in?

OP posts:

GruochMacAlpin · 15/01/2017 15:26

Sorry I never do this but... it's Phoenix. The spelling needs to be correct for this one.

AutoFillContact65 · 15/01/2017 15:24

*if it's going to NAG at you

AutoFillContact65 · 15/01/2017 15:24

I like it too and our surname doesn't sound like a River but if you stick River in front of it then it could.

But I think people will know you are referring to a person.

But if it's going to at at you for the rest of your life then don't do it. I thought I could live with a rhyming married name but I can't, I fucking hate it after dealing with it for 5 years I got fed up. I guess it's the same with any down side to a name - it just depends on if you want the hassle of dealing with it.

Original poster

RedCrab · 15/01/2017 15:22

Gah! Phoenix! Would help if I could bloody spell it right.

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