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Baby names

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

Original poster

Worried i have gave my son a girls name

179 replies

girlsnameboysname · 04/07/2025 19:06

Name changed for this.

Please be kind, I'm feeling a little stressed.

My son was born 6 weeks ago and we struggled to pick a name. I chose Riley and I really like the name. OH took a bit of convincing as he felt it was very unisex. I had only really thought of it as a boys name though. After a couple of days OH 'gave in' and we named him Riley.

But since then we've had various comments about it being unisex and iv also now heard of 2 girls in my daughter's school with the name!

I'm also still following various baby name groups on FB and keep seeing Rylie/Rayleigh/Rylee etc being suggested for a girl.

I'm now feeling a bit of name regret and worrying that the name is now becoming a girls name.

It will bother me lots of there are other Riley's in his school group and even more so if they are girls.

Yes I'm aware this might be seen as ridiculous, but it's how I feel.

Ps, I haven't spoke to OH about this as I was the one rubbishing his (I feel now valid) concerns.

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mummysmagicmedicine · 17/09/2025 20:01

Never met a girl Riley, only boys and have met a fair few of all ages x

KayEmAy · 17/09/2025 20:00

I see Riley as a truly neutral name, love it on a boy:)

funmamamoo · 13/09/2025 15:21

Primary teacher here and only ever known male Riley’s.

user1492757084 · 13/09/2025 15:14

Riley is a handsome name for a boy.

Riley is the heroic rider in Banjo Paterson's poem - The Man From Snowy River.

Btowngirl · 13/09/2025 15:06

We had it on our list, which was unisex as we didn’t know what we were having. Lovely name either way!

Dmsandfloatydress · 09/09/2025 17:34

Unfortunately I know of two girls called Riley. I think it's going to be like Stacey or Tracey. Started out as a boys name and then because a girls name.i know a 35 man called Shannon. Hates his name. Why not just call him Edward ( Ted, Teddy) . Loads of people are known by their middle names. I'm sure he would thank you in the long run.

CurlewKate · 09/09/2025 17:19

Why would you worry? Mumsnet loves girls being given boy’s names-so why not the other way round?

Calliopespa · 09/09/2025 16:53

I like it much better for a boy than a girl op.

But can I suggest you come clean with your DH? It doesn't hurt to sometimes accept they had a point (!) and just tell him now you see that he did.

He may reassure you and say he's got used to it, which I think would make you feel so much better, or he may be so relieved you raise it as he is really regretting it, and the fact is you DON'T have to rush a decision. Your baby is tiny.

cannyvalley · 09/09/2025 13:16

I work with children.

I’ve only ever known one girl called Riley (and the girl from inside out) , but loads of boys.

its defo considered unisex.

not a girls name x

Marcipix · 09/09/2025 00:39

I know one of each, both teens.

Zanatdy · 20/07/2025 10:14

I know a male Riley; female Riley more common in the US. But it’s not a girls name more than a boys in my opinion.

TidyAmberPoster · 15/07/2025 12:07

I see it as unisex and have only met boy Rileys

Lins77 · 13/07/2025 10:21

US: mainly girls' name
UK: mainly boys' name

AliceMcK · 12/07/2025 11:44

Chocolatewhiskey · 05/07/2025 19:07

I don’t think it’s that common in Ireland. It’s never made the top 100 in either boys’ or girls’ names. It was practically unknown as a first name in Ireland until about 25 years ago. I do know one, a boy.

Show quote history

I have a few Riley’s in my family and know other Rileys with Irish family connections, there was a Riley in my DDs preschool class when we lived in Ireland.

ithinkilikethislittlelife · 08/07/2025 15:02

My son is 8 and in a class with a boy called Aubrey and a girl called Aubrey. That’s just their names to him. He tells them apart by their surnames as do all his friends. No judgement whatsoever.

MarioLink · 08/07/2025 14:57

I think it's fine for a boy or a girl and I'm known more boys called Riley. It's a great name.

SameDayNewName · 08/07/2025 12:49

It is a really lovely name - enjoy your new baby OP x

Original poster
girlsnameboysname · 08/07/2025 05:58

Thanks so much everyone.

After reading all your posts I am feeling so much better about it.

I love his name and he suits it so I'm going to stick with it 🙂

OP posts:
KayEmAy · 07/07/2025 19:51

To me Riley is one of those true neutral names like Taylor, Morgan, Jordan.

Nowheretobeseen · 07/07/2025 18:41

I only know boy Riley’s. I wouldn’t worry. My son has a unisex name which can be annoying when people comment “oh isn’t that a girls name” but I think he suits it and he loves his name so 🤷🏼‍♀️

toodleloohey · 07/07/2025 11:36

I have a little boy named Casey, I don’t ever think about it being unisex and it’s not something anyone has ever commented on.

If you like Riley stick with it.

user1492757084 · 07/07/2025 09:37

Riley is handsome as a male name.
I always think of a marvellous horseman.

The original Man From Snowy River's name was Riley. (Poem by AB Banjo Paterson.)

NescafeAndIce · 06/07/2025 23:10

I'd assume boy after a male character in Neighbours!

mummysmagicmedicine · 06/07/2025 22:57

I work with kids and I’ve met way more boy Riley’s than girls so please do not worry my lovely. Look after yourself and don’t beat yourself up, postpartum and newborn life is hard and stressful and hormones and emotions are rife. Sends big hugs xxx

Charlottejbt · 06/07/2025 22:00

I think Riley is what Lee was to my generation: surname as first name, working class, theoretically unisex but almost invariably a boy's name.

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