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Baby names

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

Original poster

What do you think of the name Rea?

113 replies

Prettyrose479 · 05/08/2022 20:35

Our little girl will be due 2 days time, the two names on the list our Rea or Ria either these spellings I really like. I do like Rea. I love the meaning of the name Rea.

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onelittletwolittle · 06/08/2022 01:21

Maybe Reya? That's cute. Pronounced Ray-a

Bunty55 · 05/08/2022 23:43

I think it sounds like a nickname. Shortened down form of another name. Does not give your child scope for change if she does not like it. And yes to the diarrhoea and any other reas for that matter

DeadButDelicious · 05/08/2022 23:09

I love Rhea, if we were going to have anymore children that was the name I would have chosen for a girl. Both of my daughters have names associated with Greek mythology, in which Rhea was a titan and a mother goddess, daughter of Gaia. Rhea is also a moon of Saturn which ties in nicely with my youngest daughters name.

sorcerersapprentice · 05/08/2022 22:58

Butterflies! The lead character in my favourite telly programme growing up. A complete antidote to Dallas and Dynasty (my other favourites 😆)

SleepingStandingUp · 05/08/2022 22:57

I know a lovely Rhea but I've always assumed it's a shortening of something. I always wanted Victoria shortened to Tori or Ria. Actually I do know one of those too

Pieceofpurplesky · 05/08/2022 22:56

I know a Ria, she's never had any of these comments.

RaininSummer · 05/08/2022 22:54

I like Ria a lot. Honestly have never linked it with diarrhoea or gonorrhea.

Ilikecheeseontoast · 05/08/2022 22:47

My grandmother was Ria (to rhyme with fire 🔥) short for Maria. Rea looks misspelt sorry

ShrillSiren22 · 05/08/2022 22:42

@Fivebeanchilli isnt Rhea a bird like an emu?

ShrillSiren22 · 05/08/2022 22:41

There are loads of roads in my area with “Rea” in, pronounced Ray so I automatically hear it as that. I don’t know if that’s just a regional thing though.

Fivebeanchilli · 05/08/2022 22:38

I actually like Rhea. I know it's the bird but it's not a dreadful connotation.
Rea and Ria look a bit meh to me to be honest. They don't have any substance. Rhea is better.
I really dislike the trend of iy in a name so I wouldn't use Riya. That always make me think that the parents want it pronounced Ree - Ya.

pitterypattery00 · 05/08/2022 22:32

soupmaker · 05/08/2022 21:14

I'm Scottish. The way I say Rea does not sound like rear because we roll our 'r'!

Agree - Ria/rear sound totally different in my accent. Have certainly never called my bum my ria 😂

I've come across the name spelt Rhea before. If you like it, go for it OP.

Flidina · 05/08/2022 22:31

I love it, my daughters name is Maria, and she usually gets called Ria

Iamthewombat · 05/08/2022 22:26

Stayathomenamechange · 05/08/2022 20:45

Honestly my first thought was "drivin' home for Christmas..."

And now that's in my head for the night, cheers

I’ve got bloody ‘Auberge’ playing in my head. Same connotation, but more of a summer based song from the croaky chanteur.

Original poster
Prettyrose479 · 05/08/2022 22:23

Yes, It's also Greek, Ria is Spanish which is short for Maria.

OP posts:
loveslife · 05/08/2022 22:20

I really like it, I would go for the spelling Ria or Riya though. I think Rea just doesn't look right, think I would pronounce it Ree though if I saw that spelling. I didn't associate the name with a bird when I read it! A friend of mine never told anyone what name she had chosen until the baby was born, her reasoning was that there would always be people that would say things like 'oh no, that reminds me of .....' or 'that's the name of that really naughty kid down the street'
You chose the name that you like and that you're happy to give to your baby. There is no name that everybody will like.
Hope all goes well for you and congratulations!

tinygigolo · 05/08/2022 22:17

My middle name is Rhea and I've only ever had lovely comments on what a lovely name it is - except my kids who think it's like diarrhoea 🤮

JasmineVioletRose · 05/08/2022 22:15

I think it's spelled Rhea.
It's lovely 😊

liveforsummer · 05/08/2022 22:13

You'd need to spell it Rhea or Reah surely or people would be calling her Rea like tea or pea

Saggytrousers · 05/08/2022 22:11

I think it is a nice name but I do think of Urea when I hear it. It still sounds pretty.

MarmiteCoriander · 05/08/2022 22:09

1st thought- was the flightless bird
2nd thought- diarrhorea
3rd thought- gonorrhoea
4rd thought- a rear end/bum

Any other names you like? What do you love about Rea???

UnityO · 05/08/2022 22:05

Don't like it I'm afraid. Too many negative associations-

Rear (bum)
Rhea (large bird)
Chris Rea

Etc.

Prefer some of the alternatives suggested on this thread - Riva, Rivka, Reeva

Ticktocktuck · 05/08/2022 22:03

I love Ria. I know one Ria and she's one of the strongest most caring people possible

Jolinar · 05/08/2022 21:57

I know a Ria, it makes me think of the ostrich like bird.

DappledThings · 05/08/2022 21:50

I also thought of the ostrich straight away. Especially if you for go for the Rhea spelling.