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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.

Smile
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Icantthinkofanynewnames · 15/09/2019 09:49

oops, i mean reefer! never seen it written down before!

Icantthinkofanynewnames · 15/09/2019 09:48

it makes me think of reefa too

sashh · 15/09/2019 09:45

If he has a sister will you call her Coral?

Sorry, I thought reefer too. Oakley, isn't that a brand name?

user1493494961 · 15/09/2019 08:52

If you have more children, will their names also have to follow the 'theme'.

Illberidingshotgun · 15/09/2019 07:40

The urban dictionary states that as well as it obviously being a term for cannabis, it can also mean "pulling on something forcefully"... Ok, so maybe appropriate for when he's a teenager Grin

How about Adrian, a lovely name but not often used (coming from Adriatic) or to be a bit more unusual, how about Hurley meaning sea tide or Douglas meaning dark water?

DriftingLeaves · 15/09/2019 07:31

It isn't a name. Don't lumber a child with a name just asking for bullies to tease him about.

Carpetburns · 15/09/2019 07:27

All three truly hideous. Poor kid.

Whatsthequestion123 · 15/09/2019 07:20

Reefer is another name for dodgy cigarette if you get me...

TildaTurnip · 15/09/2019 07:04

I don’t think anyone should express their interests through the medium of their child’s name. Just have ‘Marine Biologist’ on your social media profiles instead.

Klouise777 · 15/09/2019 07:01

I dont actually like either name. Reef just takes me back to my younger days drinking alcopops or the rock band from wolverhampton. Although lovely you want to name a child after your job remember it's their name. You are bringing a new person I to the world with their own identity. I wouldn't ever think about naming a child after what I do as that's my life and not his. Just my opinion

user1480880826 · 15/09/2019 06:58

The name Reef?

It’s not actually a name is it? It would be like calling your kid fish or chair.

MouthyHarpy · 15/09/2019 06:56

Sounds like you’ve got a lisp and can’t say Rhys properly.

FabLaura · 15/09/2019 06:53

Awful. In face laughable

RLOU30 · 15/09/2019 06:49

Good gREEF!

It’s really, really bad OP

I did used to love reef alcopops though 🤪

thatmustbenigelwiththebrie · 15/09/2019 06:36

It's quite try hard. But I also dislike your other choices especially Oakley. It's a surname.

flapjackfairy · 15/09/2019 05:48

If you call your son Reef he will always be under pressure to be a blonde, bronzed surfer a la Bondi Rescue and you would need to be a super cool, slightly hippy family ( which you may be of course ) because that is the image it summons up for me ( at least ).
And yes I would assume you were heavily into pot in your youth ! Sorry !
But I like River !

TidaQuel · 15/09/2019 05:20

Reminds me of Tenerife- so many people I know refer to it as The Reef.

But I love Raff. River is nice too but quite popular around here.

Pol16 · 15/09/2019 04:43

I love the name Rafferty for a boy. Could be abbreviated to ‘Raff’. Would sound fab with a single syllable surname. Not what you asked for OP but just saying.

Tartyflette · 15/09/2019 01:20

Only if your surname is "Knot".😆
Birth announcement -'A brother for Coral'

Cleopatrai · 15/09/2019 01:15

Love it ! One the right person it’s really nice. Reef.

L0bstersLass · 15/09/2019 00:56

Makes me think of an alcopop.

DontCallMeShitley · 15/09/2019 00:50

Reef, to rhyme with Keef (Keith).

Oakley is awful, brand of sunglasses.

River - really? How about Pond or Cesspit?

Tweefutom · 15/09/2019 00:49

You love the sea. Your son will develop his own passions and dislikes.

Give him a name that allows him to be himself, not saddled with an extremely odd none name because it happens to reflect your interests.

Treaclebee · 15/09/2019 00:48

Sorry I'm not a fan of Reef either. Like the idea of an ocean themed name though. And I like River.

WaggingKnife · 15/09/2019 00:43

It sounds like you’re saying Rhys with a speech impediment.