River

Storm is a name for a horse.,

I do know a River - no one comments on it but he’s still a toddler so it’s hard to know if that will change or if he’ll hate the name when older.

It’s a toughie as I do really like the sound of River, but imo it’s the sort of name that suits a particular personality type - arty, bohemian, eccentric, a bit wild and romantic. But we have no idea what our childrens personality type or interests will be - and it’s hard to have any preconceptions for a popular international timeless classic such as Alexander (as everyone knows a few).

Personally I think it’s our job as parents to try to make our kids lives as easy as possible if we can - and a name like Alexander can have big benefits as no-one can make assumptions about his age, social background or nationality. Whereas rightly or wrongly I’d guess a River to be from an English speaking heritage, from likely middle class “arty” parents and born in the last 10 years or so.

Personally for all those reasons I’d go for Alexander (maybe with River as a middle?). If he wants to fit in, he can be Alex, Al or maybe Xander. If he wants to stand out he can be Lex, Xan/Xand, Sasha etc ; so many possibilities to make the name his own/suit his personality. River will be cool on the right kid, but it’s potentially more limiting.

I like River, it's a great name and it's not weird. I know professional people called all kinds of things, including some nature type names which are much less common than River.

Alexander is a nice name but I know SO many men and women called Alex. I was at a conference this week and three out of seven people at dinner with me were called Alex.

I'd check that the surname isn't the name of a river.

I think these posts show that River would be a controversial choice - would you be happy with that?
I think the combination with the surname is important. If you have a common surname River would be less contentious -eg River Jones would be fine, but if your surname is quite unusual I’d go with Alexander.

I like what you did there with River being "wet".

I will always associate River with River Phoenix. There doesn't seem to be other Rivers. If you do name him that I hope his surname isn't Thames or Tyne.

Personally I love Alexander. It's a solid name, that everyone can spell and pronounce, with a range of potential nicknames.

See now storm sounds like a porn name. But River will always be River Phoenix to me. Totally cool.

Love it 💛

I'm sorry, but River is plain silly, not even a proper name.
It may be popular in some circles now, but it won't endure. Just ask pensioners named Ethel, Beryl, or Cuthbert, and don't even mention Brooklyn.
Best chose a traditional name which stands the test of time.
But if you are set on this course, why not Loire, which is an actual river. Sounds nice and sophisticated, and as far as I know isn't used by anyone.

I love River. A Beautiful name. The nay sayers are just old fashioned. I also love Storm ❤️

The majority of the previous responses really shock me, they’re almost acting like the name ‘River’ is super rare, avant-garde and unheard of.

I would say it’s obviously not as traditional as ‘James’ or ‘Alexander’ but it also wouldn’t create a second look. Especially amongst the names of his peers I think it will just blend in, so if you love it then I don’t think you will regret choosing it long term.

river, very Slow Horses.

Be different!! Go with River

Sorry op it wasn't you that said Avon
Crossed wires

River Avon
😃😃😃

I think it’s suits the two of you from what you describe of your life style So go with it. People grow into namesx.
personally, I am not sure I would have my daughter marry a man called River… too whimsical for me!

I know a few male River’s - most under 3.
I dont think names that our parents generation considered out there are going to be seen the same by future generations. It’s lovely. Go for it.

"What's River like?"

"He's full of shit."

You have to cover all potential scenarios😛

I love slow horses but many people might think it's come from there.
I do think it's potentially problematic as he grows up but I have an AlexAnder so maybe biased

@TaterTots68 , we say 'the River Thames', the River Severn', 'the River Clyde', 'the River Shannon' etc.

I much prefer Alexander X

The no lawyers called river thing is an age thing and people being out of touch

I can't picture a baby named paul, because I'm not that generation so think of paul is a parent name, my childrens generation would probably call their kids it though because its their equivilant of a grandparent name (I'm sure my parents would have thought the same about their parents names of ivy, Edith, Nora etc)

There will be plenty of lawyers, Dr's and brickies called Evie, poppy Jaxon, kai, Teddy and River before long. Simply because this generation will grow into adults and the kids names will become adult names

River has hovered near the top 100 for a long time and isn't at all noteworthy among their peers (who presumably they will be practising law with!)

I agree that River doesn't really sound like a grown man's name (possibly because I've never met a man called River). However, I think River Alexander sounds better than Alexander River (because it makes it sound like the name of a river). There's no reason why he can't use his middle name when he's older if he wants, and there will be grown men called River by then! I've typed River too many times now though and it no longer looks like a real word! 🙈😂

Adore it.

Good name, growing in popularity. Looking at dark greener there are 400 or so boy Rivers born at the moment each year in England and Wales (and about 400 or so girls).