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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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Original poster
girlsnameboysname · 04/07/2025 22:21

BreatheAndFocus · 04/07/2025 20:51

Leave it, OP 😊 Riley is largely a male name here. more than that, if he does meet a female Rylee, I bet he won’t even see it as the same name, and not only because of the spelling. Reading your thread, I’ve only just realised I have a male friend and a female friend with the same name. The name is Alex. I don’t see the two of them as having the same name at all, even though they do. I see them as a man called Alex and my funny, chatty female friend Alex. Hard to explain, but it won’t be an issue x

Thank you. I totally get where you are coming from with that!

OP posts:
OohhhhhBigStretch · 04/07/2025 22:20

It’s like saying Alex is a girls name, it is, but far more commonly used as a boys name

Original poster
girlsnameboysname · 04/07/2025 22:20

Moveoverdarlin · 04/07/2025 20:16

Much prefer Edward Riley anyway. Could you swap them?

There are two girls in my daughter’s preschool called Riley. Riley Rose and Riley Rae. Until meeting them, I associated Riley with male
teenage scallywags.

Show quote history

No definitely not. I don't particularly like Edward. It's a nod to his papa who passed away 40 years ago.

OP posts:
TaranFollt · 04/07/2025 22:20

I only know it as a boys name. I know 2 boy Rileys.

mintgreensoftlilac · 04/07/2025 22:19

Girl Rileys are very much an Americanism I feel. I would think that it originated as a boys name

Troubleclef · 04/07/2025 22:19

If it bothers you that much you should change it. Baby is only 6 weeks old.

Mawfaceatthedisco · 04/07/2025 22:18

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.

My sons name is Riley. He's 12 now and never had any issues!

Ritasueandbobtoo9 · 04/07/2025 22:17

I know a Riley. Lovely boy!

Chick981 · 04/07/2025 22:17

I wouldn’t worry! You love the name, that’s enough. I’d have always thought of it as a boy’s name. FWIW my DS has a very typical boy’s name, I’ve never ever heard it as a girl’s name…. Until he started school and there was a girl with his name. I can’t get my head around it (won’t share as outing, but think Thomas), but just shows you it can happen with any name so what’s most important is you like it.

SquishedMallow · 04/07/2025 22:15

I have only ever known boys called Riley.

You didn't ask for this comment and I apologise in advance..... But , I've never known a well behaved 'Riley' 🙈. It's a bit of a "naughty boy" chav name in this neck of the woods (sorry OP!)

BedChem · 04/07/2025 22:10

If it's going to annoy you in his school if other children are called Riley, why did you pick a very common name?

BeardofHagrid · 04/07/2025 22:09

Anything goes nowadays! I doubt anyone will bat an eyelid.

princesspeppax · 04/07/2025 22:08

I have a DS Riley, with a few other boy Rileys at school. Dont know any girl Rileys except the girl in inside out Grin

minnienono · 04/07/2025 21:59

I have a nephew called Riley. It’s predominantly a female name in the USA though

WhatsThatComing · 04/07/2025 21:58

I’m a primary school supply teacher and I can easily meet 100 children a week. I’ve never seen a female Riley.

MrsBucketHat · 04/07/2025 21:58

ChessorBuckaroo · 04/07/2025 21:03

Was just about to say this. Written by Ian Broudie for his son. Wonderful song too (most famously used on Match of the Day during the goals roundup).

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I’m derailing the thread here but have you seen them playing it together? It’s so sweet, Riley can’t keep the grin off his face!

AlligatorTears · 04/07/2025 21:57

I always thought of it as a boys name but the only Riley I know is a girl.

notanothernamechangemother · 04/07/2025 21:52

I know of a few boys with the name Riley. I know one girl Riley, never heard another girl with this name. If you love the name then use it 🙂

EveSix · 04/07/2025 21:48

Yawn. I'm a teacher and I've taught Rileys -all boys, never a girl.
It's such a tired, limp trend; the aspirationally 'edgy' / cutesy appropriation of traditionally male names for girls: Tyler, Harley, Charlie, Darcy, Harper etc, calling them unisex.
You enjoy your Riley, it's a lovely name for a little boy.

Chicheguevara · 04/07/2025 21:45

A neighbour’s lad is called Rylie. It would never have crossed my mind it was also a girl’s name. I haven’t seen the film mentioned though.

Wowwee1234 · 04/07/2025 21:38

I gave my yougest DS a girls name thinking it was unisex (its Welsh and the baby books frankly lied). Anyhow, he is fine with it, always has been, and it has really not posed an issue.

Gettingbysomehow · 04/07/2025 21:20

Riley is lovely name for a boy but 'I have gave' is unforgivable.

ScratCat · 04/07/2025 21:19

I know only one Riley - a 15 year old boy.

Crammedcalendar · 04/07/2025 21:17

I've only met boy Rileys. I think Riley for a girl is american.

Rancor · 04/07/2025 21:14

I think of it more of a male name. I know a boy called Riley. Americans more commonly use boys names for girls, but I don't think we do it here so much.

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