Reeva

Nobody stopped using Ben or James, both remain very popular. I don't immediately think of those two poor little boys when I meet many of the Bens and James.

Well no but then those are far more common names so people have multiple associations with them. It's really not equivalent.

People may remember the name for Reeva Steencamp but very unlikely that classmates and friends will know. I'd be surprised if anyone would say anything even if they recall Reeva when she's introduced. There are many names you can discount if you try and find something associated with them.
Nobody stopped using Ben or James, both remain very popular. I don't immediately think of those two poor little boys when I meet many of the Bens and James.
Reeva is a lovely name. Jessica & Holly are also popular, nobody stopped using them either.
Your daughter, your choice.

Reeva is a brand name of ramen / packet instant noodles.

It reminds me of reevers which are a sort of thief typed monster/ person / baddy in fantasy and science fiction writing.

I think use it if you like it. Reeva Steenkamp did nothing wrong so it isn't tainted in the same way that, say, Myra would be.

I like the name and I had to looked up what the Reeva meant and what happened.
I read that she was shot by her boyfriend, I understand it was an accident so I don’t understand the bad feedback?
You could also change the spelling a bit, Riva, River?

Exactly. The same reason why Adolf is absolutely unheard of and Joseph remains popular, the commonality of a name dilutes the association with a single individual.

It's a very harsh sounding name to me, so I wouldn't.

Because there are many well known Oscars and only one well known Reeva.

I personally wouldn't use it.

I think it’s a lovely name and as others have said I don’t think the association will be made for much longer, certainly not for your daughters generation. Alternatively what about Ria? Or Mila?

How about Rover? No tragic connotations, and good at fetching.

I really don't think people will make the Reeva Steenkamp connection for much longer. It was a horrible tragedy but it isn't an ongoing story (in the way that the search for Madeleine McCann continues).

I would use it.

I didn't make the initial association either tbh.

Riva does looks prettier, I think, but you might also like Keeva, or Akiva? "Rive" is riverbank in French (as in "rive gauche") but I don't know how common Reeva is in France - I've never heard it used there.

It's such a sad situation.

Reeva is a beautiful name but the association is definitely still strong.

Obviously your daughters friends won't know anything about it, and by the time they do the association will already be with your daughter.

Also, as people get to know your daughter the association will fade.

I think you'd actually be ok after peoples initial association.

It really is a lovely name.

The association didn't come to me, OP, so it won't with everyone.

How about Reema? Similar but different enough?

I think of Reeva Steenkamp too, and also the bird (though that is reeve not reeva).

There’s a bus and train company called Arriva which is pronounced A Reeva so the name Reeva would be a no from that point of view.

This. I wouldn't want it because of the association, it feels a bit 'cursed'. I'm like that with names in general if the person has passed in tragic circumstances.

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!)

Beautiful name. When I read the title, I knew I heard this name before but only your full post reminded me of her. I think once you have your baby named Reeva the association with the other Reeva will fade away or will stop bothering you. The kids or her generation, once grownup, will barely know the story anyway.. unfortunately. These were headlines a few years ago. Btw, how you checked if in SA this name has become more or less popular recently?

Don't get me started on this one!

It hasn't stopped people calling their sons Oscar so why should the name Reeva be tainted?

Reeva is such a beautiful name.

I also have a soft spot for the name Raine/Rayne and Reese.

We have a four year old Reeva in our extended family. When I first heard the name I thought of Reeva Steenkamp but I don’t now. I like it although that connection is why I wouldn’t have chosen it myself.

It's a beautiful name but I automatically associate it with the tragic Reeva Steencamp. I couldn't use it.