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Baby names

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

Original poster

Reeva

37 replies

Girlsmumma2 · 08/07/2018 21:14

Yes/No?

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Sugarpiehoneyeye · 11/07/2018 22:49

Reeva is a lovely name, and Reeva Steinkamp was a beautiful young woman, her name should live on. I would use it.

stiffstink · 11/07/2018 22:13

As other posters have said, the name can be reclaimed by a new little Reeva - offering you Veda, also a great name.

Tuesday40 · 11/07/2018 22:07

Love this but spelled Riva

GinIsIn · 11/07/2018 20:05

My friend who almost called her daughter Reeva had a shortlist of: Saskia, Aoife, and Mara in then end, in case you like any of those?

Shampooeeee · 11/07/2018 07:40

It makes me think of an Italian speaker trying to pronounce river!
Nice name though.

badg3r · 10/07/2018 23:23

Vera instead? Although I too think of Pistorious, future DD and her peers would be too young though for it to be an issue growing up.

MarthaMe · 10/07/2018 21:20

My friends 1 year old is valued Reeva and I never even thought about pistorious until this thread.
She's just a cutie.

Pooshy · 10/07/2018 21:20

Lovely name! She'll be your Reeva and no one will think of Oscar after the initial meeting of your baby as it'll become her

Wellthisunexpected · 10/07/2018 21:07

I instantly thought of a little girl in DSs nursery. Had totally forgotten the other connection.

daisypond · 10/07/2018 18:33

Aren't both Reva and Riva the more usual spellings? It's a diminutive of Rebecca. Or there's Rivka, another diminutive with similar vibe. Reeva does just make me think of Reeva Steenkamp because she's the only person I've ever heard of with that spelling.

MikeUniformMike · 10/07/2018 18:25

Too similar to Eva but OK otherwise.

TatianaLarina · 10/07/2018 17:32

Indelibly associated with Reeva’s murder and the family’s long wait for justice.

MummaBear24 · 10/07/2018 17:10

If you like it go for it.

My friend had a baby last month and called her Maddie. And I have a cat called Maddie actually.

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 10/07/2018 16:49

What's Oscar Pistorius got to do with it.

The name belonged to Reeva not him.

TroubledLichen · 10/07/2018 16:40

None of her peers will make the Pistorius connection as it’s so far before their time. I don’t like it at all but that’s purely personal preference so if you like it then use it and don’t be put off. Oscar is very popular for boys and no one says anything!

Hillstreamloach · 10/07/2018 16:40

A similar name I think is nice, is Reba, like Reba McEntire the singer.

LostwithSawyer · 10/07/2018 16:35

It's nice. Use it. It's not like other names in awful headlines haven't been used.
There are Freds, Oscars, Madeleines, Tias the list goes on.

TheLastUNIC0RN · 09/07/2018 11:34

My friends little girl is reeva. At first we did think of the association but she's almost 3 now and she is just little reevA. I would use it if you love it. As Pp say people still use Oscar. And Madeline.

FuckingTwattery · 09/07/2018 11:04

Yep, first thing I thought of was the murder.

peppersprayfirstapologiselater · 09/07/2018 00:07

I read this exact thread a few months ago.
We have a baby Reeva at nursery, we've known the family for years and looked after all 4 of their children. When I heard they'd named the new baby Reeva I did think of Reeva Steenkamp but now she's nearly 1, she's just 'Reeva'! If you like it I'd 100% go for it, people become their name! People in your life will associate the name Reeva with your baby as soon as they meet her.

RavenWings · 08/07/2018 23:59

I adore this name, it's beautiful. I do agree though that people will think of Oscar Pistorius. He will hit the headlines again when he's released no doubt, so it's not like the association is fading right now.

GreenEyedBlonde · 08/07/2018 23:53

I think it's a lovely name, yes I admit the first thing I thought of was the Reeva Steenkamp murder but she was a beautiful lady and it wouldn't put me off giving a child her name. I'm sure the name Madeleine is still popular too xx

DriftwoodFascinator · 08/07/2018 23:53

Use it. Reeva Steenkamp wasn't the murderer - the connotations are null and void. It's a lovely name.

schoty77 · 08/07/2018 23:43

No, I also thought of Oscar Pistorius. Google the name and that's all you get.

allthegoodusernameshavegone · 08/07/2018 23:42

Love it, Use it, let the name live on