Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Reeva

58 replies

Girlsgirlsgirls08 · 28/01/2023 22:42

My DH and I have struggled to think of a girls name for our DD who is due in April.

We've just thought of the name Reeva and both really like it. I understand the potential links to Reeva Steenkamp, but it feels a shame to penalise a name because of what someone evil did.

Interested to see if people like it? Also any middle name ideas? Thank you!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Ballycunneen23 · 27/06/2023 10:37

@sunshineday223 Thank you for the reply. I was curious. I'm sure the name ye picked is equally as beautiful.

sunshineday223 · 27/06/2023 09:39

@Ballycunneen23 I'm sorry I only just saw your message.. we actually didn't end up using Reeva, but only because we landed on another name we both liked slightly more.. after the comments on this thread, I would have been happy to use the name :)

narrichi · 22/06/2023 09:30

It's not French. I'd think it's probably an invented name (my ex was from SA with a similar background to Reeva Steenkamp and he told me invented/combined names are fairly common there).

Reeva Steenkamp does come to mind but at the same time I don't think she's a reason to avoid the name. She did nothing wrong. Plus kids today probably won't be very aware of the case.

marmitegirl01 · 21/06/2023 13:39

Lovely name.
I have a Holly. Not one person has said anything to me about it.
You can't not use a name that you love because other people might make an association to something else.

Ballycunneen23 · 21/06/2023 13:37

Yes totally agree. If you like a name why not use it. Can't please everyone. We all have different taste. Each to their own. Thanks 😊

Ballycunneen23 · 21/06/2023 13:35

Yes totally agree. Thanks 😊

CurlewKate · 21/06/2023 07:30

I made the association too. And I don't think it's a particularly nice name either. Back to the drawing board you go!!!

MrsMikeDrop · 21/06/2023 02:35

housemaus · 29/01/2023 05:21

I know a Reeva, named very shortly after Steenkamp's death was in the news. Found it really odd - even if you personally think the name deserves a second chance, when it's that strong an association why would you want a murdered woman to be the first thing people think think they meet your child??

(A PP said we don't do the same to Oscar so why should we for Reeva - I know personally about 6 Oscars and can think of plenty more famous ones. The name Oscar by itself doesn't make anyone think of Pistorious, I'd put money on it. Reeva is not a common name - in the UK anyway - and as you can see from this thread the association is strong!)

That's a good point, maybe it's becaue it's rare. And for some bizarre reason I feel it's worse being called someone who was a victim, even though that isn't really logical. Almost like the name is cursed or something. I felt the same about a friend of mine who died in tragic circumstances, it's like the name is tainted

Aquamarine1029 · 21/06/2023 01:25

My grandmother was Reva, pronounced Reeva.

Use Reeva if you love it. It's silly not to. There is no good reason not to.

EllaRaines · 21/06/2023 01:25

Apart from the connection to that beautiful murdered woman, I think the child would go through life with people mistakenly calling them River.

Judgyjudgy · 21/06/2023 01:17

No from me, bad connotations unfortunately 😔

BewitchedBotheredandBewildered · 20/06/2023 23:40

The association will fade with time.

It's a lovely name.

I much prefer the Riva spelling which also dilutes the connection.

I also knew a lovely Niva.

Ballycunneen23 · 20/06/2023 22:58

Hello

Can I ask did you pick the name Reeva.
I am in two minds myself whether to use it or not.🙂

KItBattingGlove · 29/01/2023 21:56

@HappyJellyBaby I did not know that, I had a google, very interesting. Reive a noun meaning raid and of course reivers. Rob, plunder and pillage.

I love Firefly and as a tv show I have never seen it written down so when they say reevers I just think that is how it is spelt.

HappyJellyBaby · 29/01/2023 21:40

KItBattingGlove · 29/01/2023 15:22

@Geneticsbunny you and me both. I only know Reevers from Firefly (sci fi) where they are flesh eating, raping humans gone mad. So that and tragically Reeva Steenkamp both jump to mind.

The origin of this is the Border Reivers.

I agree Reeva makes everyone think of Steencamp and it was such a sad story.

Raine is similar?

LakeIsle48 · 29/01/2023 21:40

I LOVE the name Reeva. It's stunning x

Twoinapod · 29/01/2023 21:31

I’ve never heard of reeva steenkamp so I have no idea why that’s a negative association, but I agree names shouldn’t be avoided for tragic events. I know lots of people still use madeleine as a name.

I prefer the Riva spelling, it’s a lovely name though. Definitely use it

IglesiasPiggl · 29/01/2023 15:38

I would use it if you like it. It's already been a decade since her murder and none of your DD's peers would have been born. As a PP said, it's a closed case and Reeva Steenkamp was a victim not a killer.

FlowerTink · 29/01/2023 15:26

Immediately thought of Reeva Steenkamp before I opened the thread

KItBattingGlove · 29/01/2023 15:22

@Geneticsbunny you and me both. I only know Reevers from Firefly (sci fi) where they are flesh eating, raping humans gone mad. So that and tragically Reeva Steenkamp both jump to mind.

BCxx · 29/01/2023 15:21

I really like it! There’s plenty of names that have an association to someone but even when all of that happened I always thought it was such a beautiful name

WowIlikereallyhateyou · 29/01/2023 15:19

Just thought Steenkamp, sorry.

grayhairdontcare · 29/01/2023 15:13

We have a Reeva at the school I work at .

StrychnineInTheSandwiches · 29/01/2023 14:59

I automatically think of that poor woman trying to hide from her killer in the bathroom.

Figgygal · 29/01/2023 14:51

Immediately thought the same way as others here and went to steencamp