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Original poster

What do you think of when you hear these names?

77 replies

Warrickdaviesasplates · 10/05/2021 11:05

I'm down to my top three boys names for DC3, both DH and I have different favourites although I do like all three and could see myself using any of them.

A little inspired by the Jasper/ James / Jonah thread, I was wondering what kind of person you would picture when hearing these names:

  • Heath
  • River
-Ragnar
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Original poster
Warrickdaviesasplates · 11/05/2021 11:51

@WannabePilot thank you 😊 what a lovely reply. Ragnar is definitely the one I'd just go for if I'm being brave, I know I don't really care about any negative comments or anything like that, and always wish I had a more unusual name, but then I think "I might not care, but the baby isn't me so is it a bit much to put on them?"

@SnottyLottie I was a bit surprised at all the posters saying the names were pretentious, as I've never thought myself posh enough to be considered pretentious. Maybe I should be proud I'm clearly going up in the world 😂

I do love that someone knew a Ragnar who was a rogue, that made me smile.

Surprised by the two posters knowing dogs with the name, is it the same dog? Round my way all the dogs are called Bella and Teddy. My animals are always called stupid names like Meatloaf or Nemos Dad.

I didn't realise the celebrity association would be strong with River and Heath. Obviously I know of Heath Ledger and River Phoenix but my mind doesn't go straight to them. With so many celebrities called John or Chris you don't automatically think John Lennon when you hear the name John. (Although I do go straight to Ted Bundy when I hear of a baby Ted).

OP posts:
Original poster
Warrickdaviesasplates · 11/05/2021 11:36

@Palavah

i do see a Heathcliff as arty, intelligent and handsome

You've not read Wuthering Heights then?

Not since my A-levels (where I DEFINITELY read the entire book and didn't just skim it enough to write my essays)

My memory of that Heathcliff is that he was a bit of a dick and I was surprised at how people went on about him like a romantic lead. I guess I just always think of nature names as being more gentle. Would just going with Heath be less Wuthering Heights associative do you think?

OP posts:
WannabePilot · 11/05/2021 11:08

I love your update OP, you sound like you have a really good sense of humour. And it makes me kind of warm a little to all 3 names because I think in your family a kid of yours could carry the name off iyswim. Of the 3 I think Heath is safest. But I’d quite like to hear you went with Ragnor.

Palavah · 11/05/2021 10:58

i do see a Heathcliff as arty, intelligent and handsome

You've not read Wuthering Heights then?

SnottyLottie · 11/05/2021 10:55

Heath - Heath Ledger, Heathcliff, dark and brooding, perhaps a bit too pretentious for the average person’s liking (but I personally like it so maybe I am pretentious 😆)

River - River Phoenix, slightly dreamy & hippyish but one that works as a mainstream name

Ragnar - The ‘50s Viking movie with Kirk Douglas and Tony Curtis, Thor Ragnarok, vikings in general. Would assume you like Viking history or had Norse ancestry

Mrbob · 11/05/2021 10:46

Like you are a bit obsessed with celebrity

Shmithecat2 · 11/05/2021 10:45

Heath - Meh
River - No
Ragnar - Hmm

MojoJojo71 · 11/05/2021 10:43

Heath is a bit pretentious

River is a bit hippyish but definitely the best of the three and the only one i would even consider

Ragnar is fine if you are Scandinavian. Otherwise it’s just nuts

Original poster
Warrickdaviesasplates · 11/05/2021 10:31

I see a few people have said Heathcliff would be better than Heath, I do agree with that. My first suggestion was Heathcliff (probably shortened to Heath just day to day) but Dh really hated the Cliff but and said he would compromise on Heath (hold the Cliff) I do see a Heathcliff as arty, intelligent and handsome.

Ragnar- we aren't actually Scandinavian but my surname is a Norse surname (Luff) and DS has a vaguely Scandinavian name, although definitely more common and widely used than Ragnar. I just heard the name and loved it. I think a Ragnar would be strong, probably quite naughty and good with practical stuff (maybe own an axe? 😂)

River was on my original list before being poo-pooed by DH, he's now come back suggesting it as his own idea 🙄 I do like it but it's probably my least favourite of the three. I think of River as a gentle person, very kind and probably likes reading or photography.

I would be quite happy to use any of the names but choosing between them is hard as I'm worried I'll choose the one I think is "safest" and regret not choosing a different one. DD has a very normal and boring name and I always wish I'd refused to compromise on her name and chosen something I really loved rather than one I thought would escape judgement.

Fingers crossed for a girl I guess! 😂

OP posts:
hauntedvagina · 11/05/2021 07:48

Heath and River will be taking a gap yarrrrrr together before starting jobs in media communications.

Ragnar sounds like an over the counter remedy for foot fungus.

HuntingoftheSnark · 11/05/2021 07:43

Heath and River are ok but both insubstantial. Ragnar on the other hand .... is probably the best of the three.

DoingItMyself · 11/05/2021 07:38

Heath - rubbish name. Call him Heathcliffe.

River - Stream? Pond? Beck.

Ragnor - OK, go with that. I like it.

Happylittlethoughts · 11/05/2021 07:36

Heath- bully drugs
River- hippy thin ready whiny
Ragnar- knew a Ragnar , he was a rogue🤣

Checkingout811 · 11/05/2021 07:33

River is very “chav” round here
Lots of
River-Rose
River-Rae
River-Mai/Mae

The other 2 are awful. Very try hard.

Sanchez79 · 11/05/2021 07:30

I would assume River's parents were anti-vax vegans

MishMashMummy · 11/05/2021 07:27

Heath and River make me think you’re very into actors. Both fine if a bit pretentious. They’re slightly try-hard imo.

Ragnar - this is a Viking name, yes? If you or your husband are Swedish / Danish / Norwegian I think it’s fine though I don’t love the sound (Rag isn’t a lovely word). If you’re not Swedish, Danish or Norwegian I would consider it a really weird choice.

Heatingsystemwoes · 11/05/2021 07:27

Sorry OP. I think Pretentious too.
Try hard parents 😓

daisypond · 11/05/2021 07:24

Heath -OK in an alternate sort of way.
River-too alternative.
Ragnar-fans of The Last Kingdom set of books or TV series.

faithfulbird20 · 11/05/2021 07:16

Heath and river obviously the celebrities

Ragnar sounds very stern

Squidgling · 11/05/2021 07:08

First thoughts were
Heath Ledger
River Phoenix
Ragnar Lothbrok from Vikings

LongTimeMammaBear · 11/05/2021 07:03

Heath - a romantic hero with bright blue eyes and curly dark hair

River - a bit boho/alternative parents, airy/fairy

Ragnar - I would think his parents are Norse. Yes, big guy with red hair, shaggy bearded Viking

burritofan · 11/05/2021 06:59

Ragnar - terrible for a baby, excellent for bodice-ripping novel totty

AbsolutelyPatsy · 11/05/2021 06:58

Apart from Ledger Heath also makes me think of Heathcliff

AbsolutelyPatsy · 11/05/2021 06:51

Heath - Lovely Ledger
River - Phoenix
Ragnar, never heard of it, not keen, Viking hero?

whatever floats your boat op

Hellocatshome · 11/05/2021 06:13
  • Heath Ledger
  • River Phoenix
-Ragnar - eh?
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