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Baby names

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

Original poster

The name Reef?

134 replies

June340oo · 14/09/2019 20:50

Opinion on the name Reef?

Found out we are having a baby boy, we both have struggled to agree on names. We like the following three, Reef, River & Oakley. The front runner being Reef.

James being the second name, what is your opinion on Reef?

I work in the marine biology field so it has sentimental value to me as I love the ocean and all things marine, keep marine tanks etc. My wife loves it too.

Just want your honest opinions? We want something different but not to weird.

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Ifeellikedoing · 21/09/2019 09:29

I think of reefer.

I do know a little Ocean and he really suits his name.

starkid · 21/09/2019 09:25

Noooo. It's just too... I like the sea and rivers, so I'm going to name my child River or Reef. Would you have considered Marina if a girl?! Just too obvious you know?

Can be marine/water inspired without being so literal with it.

ncqtime · 20/09/2019 20:51

Short for Sharif

midsomermurderess · 20/09/2019 18:06

I think it's ok actually, having said it a few times.

Augend · 19/09/2019 18:59

Spliff

Mimilamore · 19/09/2019 18:47

I like it, knew a Rief once...

Fivebeanchilli · 18/09/2019 22:30

I also thought of a spliff straight away.
I love the pp's suggestion of Caspian.
River and Oakley are better than Reef but not great. River is so dated and Oakley is just a sunglasses brand.

FizzyGreenWater · 18/09/2019 10:10

Oh please no - crap band, alcopop or spliff all come to mind.

It's also not a good word as a name. The 'ee' in such a short word just sounds squeaky and there's obviously no short form (yes I know it's super short anyway but people ALWAYS abbreviate names as a form of affection - Ree?!)

Also yes, in this day and age it sounds so... horribly instagram.

There are lots of great names which make reference to the sea.

Florrieboo · 18/09/2019 09:05

There is a beautiful little boy called Reef on Instagram - public page I think their IG name is Islabayandreef

I like it, I don't have any of the negative associations that lots of posters here seem to have.

Oakley isn't for me, and river is very popular (common)

diddlediddle · 17/09/2019 22:01

Alcopop 100%

Much better nature names out there!

HeadLikeAFuckinOrange · 17/09/2019 21:01

Raising a bottle to the 90s with everyone else who thought of this first!

The name Reef?
mumofadoodle · 17/09/2019 20:56

I'm related to a Reef through marriage so I like it but understand I am biased. I like Oakley but know of 3 Oakley's now so too popular for me. River is nice.

What about Reid/Reed?

Or Ryker? Remy? Rafe? Reggie?

CassianAndor · 17/09/2019 10:01

Reef - awful
River - lovely
Oakley - brand of sunglasses

Cosmos45 · 17/09/2019 09:59

James is nice.

lottiegarbanzo · 17/09/2019 09:55

What about Dolphin, Dolph for short? Grin

dolphin50 · 16/09/2019 21:29

what about ocean or sandy for boys

user1573354 · 15/09/2019 18:30

According to dark greener there are about 15 in the UK born a year.

Crystal87 · 15/09/2019 14:56

Horrible

BestZebbie · 15/09/2019 13:10

Immediate first thought "conceived under the influence of Reef alcopops?"

checkoutchick22 · 15/09/2019 12:54

I like it.... and I know a adult whose called it, although spelt differently.
Never thought of all those connections that pp have referred to when I was introduced to him

catlike1979 · 15/09/2019 12:32

I'm not keen on Reef but what about Rafe? We're considering it for our imminent arrival!

MouthyHarpy · 15/09/2019 12:14

he could have a sister called Roof

A family who can say neither “s” or “th”

DontCallMeShitley · 15/09/2019 11:38

Just thought, he could have a sister called Roof.

finn1020 · 15/09/2019 11:07

There was a little boy with that name on tv recently but he had a slight lisp so it sounded like weef. Which was kind of cute but I’m still not keen on the name.

Treaclebee · 15/09/2019 10:42

Oakley would be a bit like being called Nike or Adidas.