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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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kenandbarbie · 14/09/2019 22:12

It's weird. I don't like any of your choices sorry.

FuckOffBoris · 14/09/2019 22:08

Nemo, as in Finding

Leflic · 14/09/2019 22:08

I dislike made up names but I do actually like Reef. It actually sounds better than if you write it.
If you didn’t know how it was spelt, it could just be a non British name, maybe Israeli or something?
Do it!
I want to see the first Mumsnet post to say “ do you remember in Baby Names 2019 because a child called a Reef has just enrolled in Nursery”

pimbee · 14/09/2019 22:05

Reminds me of those awful alcopops from the naughties that gave me indigestion!

Otterseatpuffinsdontthey · 14/09/2019 22:00

Only if your surname is "Knot".

Mishappening · 14/09/2019 21:57

Reef! - are you serious!?

pikapikachu · 14/09/2019 21:57

People will assume that you're a druggie.

I know an Ocean and Blue. At first I was a bit wtf but it's grown.

StroppyWoman · 14/09/2019 21:55

Reef is awful, too many crappy associations and mispronunciations. unsderstand how it would appeal to you in isolation but out in the wide world it just doesn't work

(I had a similar realisation for one of my DC's names. It's a bummer but there it is)

If you want a sea-based name, here's a website with some suggestions -
wehavekids.com/baby-names/ocean-inspired-baby-names

Alarae · 14/09/2019 21:55

Sorry OP. Reef doesn't even sound like a name to me.

I appreciate you have a love of the ocean/nature, but it's your child that will be saddled with the name for their entire life (or 18 if they change it).

If you love the name, can you not use it as a nickname instead?

LollyBeebee123 · 14/09/2019 21:55

I’m not keen. I like the other two names much better.

strawberry2017 · 14/09/2019 21:55

It's not a name sorry

HerRoyalNotness · 14/09/2019 21:52

Nope I don’t like it.

Plenty of suggestions here, but a lot are bonkers wehavekids.com/baby-names/ocean-inspired-baby-names

One that jumped out was Ridley, a small sea turtle, that’s quite nice and goes well with James.

helpmum2003 · 14/09/2019 21:52

Sorry Reef is awful.
Are there any islands you have an attachment to? Eg Lewis?
There are dolphin species called Hector and Fraser.

GlasshouseStoneThrower · 14/09/2019 21:50

Scylla and Charibdis 😂😂😂😂 please tell me you know what those names mean?

PotteringAlong · 14/09/2019 21:47

I know one. It has been the subject of much discussion.

lottiegarbanzo · 14/09/2019 21:44

Reef? What, did you say wreath?

Ralph, or Keith. Not Reef.

ohmysoul · 14/09/2019 21:44

Reef is definitely an alcopop from my late teens. Don't do it!

ClaraThePigeon · 14/09/2019 21:38

Reef is a bad idea. I'd think of reefer too. River is ok. Oakley is incredibly ugly.

SmellMySmellbow · 14/09/2019 21:34

You don't smoke weed, but it's what I would suspect of the parents with a kid called Reef. Or it would just make me think of spliffs. Which is totally fine imo but prob just not what you want people to think of every time they hear his name. Oakley is nice.

user1493494961 · 14/09/2019 21:26

Go with James, change your name to Reef or River.

Disfordarkchocolate · 14/09/2019 21:26

I like River and Reef, not Oakley.

BelindasGleeTeam · 14/09/2019 21:25

Taught a kid with this name.

No. No. Thrice no.

IggyAce · 14/09/2019 21:23

My dd went to nursery with a boy called Reef, did think it was unusual but not totally out there. Probably because others in the co-hort were called Tiara, Crystal, Preston and Chase.

EdWinchester · 14/09/2019 21:21

Don't be silly. No.

Would you like to be saddled with such a twatty, try-hard name?

FenellaMaxwell · 14/09/2019 21:19

Crappy alcopop from my student days!

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