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Baby names

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

Original poster

Bowie or River

93 replies

MrsCharlieD · 26/03/2017 10:17

Just that really. I want River Nathaniel, dh wants Bowie River. I'm a Bowie fan but ds already has a music heavy name. We're probably considered a pretty alternative couple so these name choices wouldn't be considered out there for us but I'm conscious our child may not be anything like us (although ds is already starting to be). What do you think? Is Bowie useable or will it date terribly?

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WindwardCircle · 26/03/2017 13:28

Why not use David with Bowie as a middle name? I've never met a David under 30, in its own way a little boy called David/Dave these days would be quite unusual and cool.

Teacakequeen · 26/03/2017 13:25

Would you consider Nathanial as a first name?

OneSecondAfter · 26/03/2017 13:19

I like River.

The big problem with Bowie is just that it's too soon. Like a PP in this thread mentioned, Hendrix is an occasionally used name, and Marley is fairly popular these days too. Maybe Bowie will be okay in 30-40 years, but right now it's just too blatant.

I like giving kids names inspired by people you admire, but I think it's best to use less OBVIOUS homages, imo. Like, if you hate David, there must be other musicians you like whose name is a less unique.

RachelRagged · 26/03/2017 13:06

Rio chavvy ? Bowie and River are names given by pretentious parents I feel personally, poor kid.

MitzyLeFrouf · 26/03/2017 12:37

Some names like Bowie, Elvis, or Kermit are too connected to one person (or one frog!) to be useable for anyone else. And if he turns out not to be a DB fan himself he'll get very tired very fast of people constantly wanting to chat to him about Mr Stardust

SharkBastard · 26/03/2017 12:36

Bowie is too popular now. Howard from TT and Tess Holiday have both named their son Bowie so that would put me off.

River is OK. There are loads of solid alternative names out there, Greek or Roman mythology offers loads of excellent names

kingscrossnoodle · 26/03/2017 12:33

No he didn't. Duncan jones was always called Duncan jones.

EssentialHummus · 26/03/2017 12:31

I think the Duncan in question was actually born Zowie Bowie, and changed it himself later on.

Another "River" from me.

MitzyLeFrouf · 26/03/2017 12:30

Since David Bowie died I've heard of more than one C list celeb calling their newborn Bowie. As a muso do you really want to keep company with Howard Donald of Take That fame?

WaitrosePigeon · 26/03/2017 12:29

All a bit wanky to be honest.

MamaLazarou · 26/03/2017 12:28

I feel sorry for kids with rock star names. As though their parents have decided in advance that they will never have enough charisma of their own so need to borrow someone else's. Give your baby a cool, quirky name of their own!

HunterHearstHelmsley · 26/03/2017 12:27

If I had to pick, I'd say Bowie. River is an awful name.

Rockaby · 26/03/2017 12:24

zen

Wikipedia says you are correct!

zen1 · 26/03/2017 12:09

Didn't Howard Donald name his son Bowie?

insancerre · 26/03/2017 12:03

River is much better than Bowie

Rockaby · 26/03/2017 11:58

River is lovely! Definitely go with that.

Just my personal taste etc, but I'm not very keen on naming children after slebs, whether it might be Jordan or Jimi Hendrix. That said, I would get used to pretty much any name eventually and Bowie is a lot better than some of the more 'cutesy' / 'cheeky chappy' type names, which I hear a lot; I definitely won't list them, for fear of offending!

kingscrossnoodle · 26/03/2017 11:37

River is acceptable. Bowie is not.

If your DH is such a bowie fan tell him to get a tattoo or buy him a goldfish to name.

Crispsheets · 26/03/2017 11:33

Bloody awful. I'm a diehard Bowie fan but that is just grim.

maisybobbins · 26/03/2017 11:33

David Bowie was a global rock superstar and yet people were still unsure how to pronounce his name. I'd steer clear.

River Nathanial is pretty cool. Not my choice (I have a James-esque 😁) but I like it.

Sparklingbrook · 26/03/2017 11:30

I just can't imagine when I was out with the DC wanting to shout 'River!' or 'Bowie!' in a public space. Blush

Oh yes Jamie Oliver's latest is River isn't it? River Rocket or something.

Lexieellie · 26/03/2017 11:24

I would have to say neither as well. River reeks of Jamie Oliver. Bowie, well, is someone's surname.

Sparklingbrook · 26/03/2017 11:13

Neither.

Redyellowpinkblue · 26/03/2017 11:10

Bowie is painfully try hard, River isn't my cup of tea (if we had a boy he'd have been Kit) but River is a million miles better than Bowie. And if he grows up not liking the name then it'll probably be shortened to Riv which isn't bad at all.

Pencilvester · 26/03/2017 11:10

David Bowies son had a super cool name who changed it as soon as he was old enough to.

No. David Bowie's son has always been called Duncan.

EmmaC78 · 26/03/2017 11:08

Not keen on either but I think you should persuade your DH to call him Beau.