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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.

OP posts:
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Strawberrycheesecake7 · 04/07/2025 19:21

It’s unisex but I think of it more as a boy’s name, especially in the UK. I used to work in schools and nurseries and I’ve met several little boys called Riley and no little girls. I like it for a boy but wouldn’t be a fan of it for a girl. It is also my dog’s name and he is a boy if that helps.

Policiesnotpersona · 04/07/2025 19:21

Character in Midnight Mass is Riley - male character.

To me it is definitely a male name.

Delphinium20 · 04/07/2025 19:21

DD’s boyfriend is a Riley. It’s a great name.

Original poster
girlsnameboysname · 04/07/2025 19:20

Definitely the Riley spelling is male.

But there are now all the Rylee, Ryleigh, Rileigh spellings for girls, so unless you see it written down people may start to assume girl.

Aw I'm so annoyed at this 😕 and wishing I had listened to my OH.

OP posts:
Corrrrrblimey · 04/07/2025 19:19

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.

OP, as a teacher, I’ve only ever taught Rileys who were boys. This year I’ve had 2 in the same class and I know a baby who is called Riley, also a boy. I think it’s a fairly popular name for boys (where I am anyway) but would be unusual for a girl.

LuckyNumberFive · 04/07/2025 19:19

wafflesmgee · 04/07/2025 19:08

It was always a boy name until the film inside out, where the main character is a girl called Riley, now it’s unisex

It's been unisex for decades

10sleeps · 04/07/2025 19:18

What’s his middle name?

Fatiguedwithlife · 04/07/2025 19:16

I only know one male Riley, no female Riley’s and one as a surname

Samas · 04/07/2025 19:15

I worked in education for years and all of the Riley’s I met were boys. If I saw it written down I would assume a boy.

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 04/07/2025 19:15

girlsnameboysname · 04/07/2025 19:13

Yeah this is my worry I suppose

Show quote history

It’s true that used to happen, not sure it would so much these days.

NoelFaraday · 04/07/2025 19:14

I would instinctively think it was a boys name. I have never heard of the film Inside out so unaware of a female character of that name.

Personally I would be more concerned if you had a daughter and was concerned the name would be read as a male name.

Riley is very male to me.

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 04/07/2025 19:14

I think it’s become more popular for girls recently, but it’s unisex - like Rowan, Robin, Alex, Arran - all great names

Original poster
girlsnameboysname · 04/07/2025 19:13

TeenToTwenties · 04/07/2025 19:12

However with names things tend to go in one direction Male->Female. Once a name starts being popular with girls, parents of boys drop it. (eg Hilary and Shirley)

Show quote history

Yeah this is my worry I suppose

OP posts:
legoplaybook · 04/07/2025 19:12

Unisex but much more common for boys. I'd assume a Riley was male. Similar to Bailey or Taylor.

Original poster
girlsnameboysname · 04/07/2025 19:12

Thanks, I think I'm worried as it now seems more common for girls. As in, there won't be any boy Riley's his age, they will all be girls. But I agree it was definitely a boys name originally.

Sorry I don't understand the Morris post?

Would others change it if in my position?

OP posts:
TeenToTwenties · 04/07/2025 19:12

amber763 · 04/07/2025 19:09

It's 100% unisex and a lovely name for a boy. I feel like it was a boys name first and girls being called Riley are more recent. Congratulations on your little one and don't worry

However with names things tend to go in one direction Male->Female. Once a name starts being popular with girls, parents of boys drop it. (eg Hilary and Shirley)

Elle771 · 04/07/2025 19:11

*all are boys

Wineinthegarden · 04/07/2025 19:11

It’s definitely still a boy’s name! There are plenty of Rileys in my school and all boys. It’s a great name! Rileys are always full of personality too.

Elle771 · 04/07/2025 19:11

I know 3 Rileys and a boys so this wouldn't have occurred to me at all!!

loobyloo1979 · 04/07/2025 19:11

I know over 20 Riley's ranging from 0-20 and they are all male. I don't know of any girls.

Myfridgeiscool · 04/07/2025 19:11

Riley is a boys name in my opinion. Enjoy your precious bundle OP.

Themomentsheknewshefkedup · 04/07/2025 19:11

It is a unisex name but it’s a lovely name.

WhereAreMyKids · 04/07/2025 19:10

The only Riley's I know are boys. If you said the name I'd assume it was a boy you were speaking about.

amber763 · 04/07/2025 19:09

It's 100% unisex and a lovely name for a boy. I feel like it was a boys name first and girls being called Riley are more recent. Congratulations on your little one and don't worry

Gertieblue · 04/07/2025 19:09

I'm a secondary teacher and there are several Rileys at school - all male.

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