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Baby names

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

Original poster

Is Reeva ok to use?

35 replies

independencedaybaby · 27/03/2018 09:45

My husband and I love the name Reeva, and as he is Indian it's lovely that is a Sanskrit name as well.
However we are worried that there are still too many associations with the sad case of Reeva Steenkamp and just wanted your opinions on this? I guess plenty of people call their kids Oscar and don't make the association with a murderer.

Would really like to hear your thoughts on this as we love the name

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TatianaLarina · 09/05/2018 16:37

Yes people might think of Reeva Steenkamp but she wasn’t a bad person

Wtaf???

Rivière is French for river.

Keepittenten · 09/05/2018 14:18

I did immediately think of Reeva Steenkamp. However, we have an Azariah and did think people would think of Azaria Chamberlain...twice in nearly 6 years has it been mentioned and even then to ask if the origins are Australian. I would go with it as it is a beautiful name and lovely that it reflects both cultures of DD.

SemperIdem · 09/05/2018 11:35

There was a toddler Reeva at a park I was in with my daughter recently.

It’s a pretty name. Yes people might think of Reeva Steenkamp but she wasn’t a bad person. It’s not like calling your child Myra or something which really would raise eyebrows.

Mousefunky · 08/05/2018 15:31

Lovely name.

bridgetreilly · 08/05/2018 15:18

Reeva is ‘river’ in French

It isn't.

Original poster
independencedaybaby · 08/05/2018 14:33

Thank you for this. You’re right we love the name. Thank you for sharing your experiences xxx

OP posts:
midsomermurderess · 08/05/2018 13:19

I think it's fine. I doubt the connection with Reeva in South Africa will carry much resonance for your daughter's generation. It's pretty too.

DiegoMadonna · 08/05/2018 13:13

I had to google to see who Reeva Steenkamp is!

I really don't think it's an issue.

Jade0484 · 08/05/2018 12:59

Hi, I’m proud to have a 2yrar old little girl named Reeva. I remember being pregnant and thinking of different names that were unique but not silly and I just loved the name Reeva (also because it has some Indian origin in it and she is half Indian) but also because her daddy loves rivers and fishing and Reeva is ‘river’ in French. It was just meant to be. I can honestly say I have not come across one person who has disliked the name. Most people have either loved it or been really intrigued by it as they have never heard of it..despite the whole Reeva/Oscar case. I love that it is rare, unique and it’s always interesting seeing how people react to it as almost always they have something positive to say about the name. I say go for it! 😉 x

Original poster
independencedaybaby · 28/03/2018 13:35

Thank you all for your thoughtful and honest responses. You’ve certainly given us a lot to think about. All the best!

OP posts:
missjaysays · 27/03/2018 21:12

We have a baby Reeva, when her parents first announced her name I did think of Reeva Steincamp (sp?) but now she's almost 1 it's just her name and really, she's just our 'Reeva!'

VeronicaLodge · 27/03/2018 21:00

I'd probably change the spelling purely because if you type Reeva into google the entire first page of results are to do with Reeva Steenkamp. And the second and third pages of results too. Haven't looked beyond that.

bridgetreilly · 27/03/2018 20:49

I think it's fine.

NameChange30 · 27/03/2018 20:22

It’s a lovely name.

And it doesn’t really matter too much if we think of Reeva Steinkamp - your daughter’s contemporaries are much less likely to know and think of her.

Catra · 27/03/2018 20:19

It's a lovely name, but I'm afraid that the first thing that came to mind before I'd even read the entire OP was Reeva Steenkamp.

RidingWindhorses · 27/03/2018 20:18

Oscar is a much more common name, so many that there's no particular reason to associate the name with him. Why not Oscar Wilde for example?

But I don't think I've come across many if any other Reevas and she did have a particularly awful death. Oscar is at least still alive, for his sins.

RidingWindhorses · 27/03/2018 20:13

I couldn't personally use it because the case made a real impact on me, don't know why, and it would always remind me of her murder. But if you don't make that connection, I guess there's no reason not to. Other people might though.

TaurielTest · 27/03/2018 17:20

I was about to say what Raines did, about the SA pronunciation not rhyming with "diva" because ee is a diphthong.

I might not go for Reeva personally because of the word "reaver" (a robber, a plunderer; a marauder, a raider). But it's not the most obvious of associations so that probably wouldn't put most folk off!

KERALA1 · 27/03/2018 17:16

Also, even if people do make the association with that terrible case from what I read she was a lovely person Sad

Raines100 · 27/03/2018 17:14

Is it pronounced intuitively to English speakers? If so, I would go for it. Being Afrikaans, Reeva as in Steenkamp is pronounced "Ree-uh-vuh" with a rolled R, so not the same name.

Madbengalmum · 27/03/2018 17:03

Pretty name.

GRW · 27/03/2018 17:03

It's a lovely name and not as popular as similar sounding names like Eva, Aoife and Caiomhe. I would use it especially as it reflects your Indian heritage.

Twooter · 27/03/2018 16:58

I’m afraid it would be my first association as she’s the only Reeva that i’ve Ever heard of. I’ve heard of lots of Oscars, so no association there.

DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 27/03/2018 16:55

It wouldn't be the first association to occur to me.

Fintress · 27/03/2018 16:42

It's a lovely name and I would leave the spelling as it is. So yes I would call your daughter Reeva if you both love it.