Page 6 | Kai or River

PC18 · 2025-08-24T10:46:58+00:00

We are having a boy - due December. I have always loved Kai but River is also so lovely!

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Sarah2891 · 24/08/2025 12:17

ToKittyornottoKitty · 24/08/2025 12:10

It’s a girls name though isn’t it? Never met a male called Rowan? It’s better than river or Kai though!

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No, it's used for both. It's historically a male name though.

OP - Out of the two I'd go for Kai.

Comedycook · 24/08/2025 12:15

What about Roman or Reuben?

greengreyblue · 24/08/2025 12:14

ToKittyornottoKitty · 24/08/2025 12:10

It’s a girls name though isn’t it? Never met a male called Rowan? It’s better than river or Kai though!

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Rowan Atkinson?

ToKittyornottoKitty · 24/08/2025 12:10

PC18 · 24/08/2025 12:09

Rowan is on my list! It’s also one of my favourite but I need to convince my DH lol

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It’s a girls name though isn’t it? Never met a male called Rowan? It’s better than river or Kai though!

Original poster

PC18 · 24/08/2025 12:09

Anna467 · 24/08/2025 12:08

I used to love Kai, then it became a chav name. I haven't heard it so much lately though.

River is a name where unless you've got a really impressive sounding surname it's going to sound ridiculous. River Smith? River Jones? River Brown? Nope really not working. It's also new age hippyish which might work as a teen but really doesn't on a short, fat middle aged man.

What about Rowan?

Rowan is on my list! It’s also one of my favourite but I need to convince my DH lol

OP posts:

Anna467 · 24/08/2025 12:08

I used to love Kai, then it became a chav name. I haven't heard it so much lately though.

River is a name where unless you've got a really impressive sounding surname it's going to sound ridiculous. River Smith? River Jones? River Brown? Nope really not working. It's also new age hippyish which might work as a teen but really doesn't on a short, fat middle aged man.

What about Rowan?

Livpool · 24/08/2025 12:07

Not a fan of either personally but out of your 2, I would go with Kai

WaltzingWaters · 24/08/2025 12:02

Both lovely. Kai wins it for me 100% though (but that’s cause if my baby due December is a boy it’ll be Kai!).

Bigearringsbigsmile · 24/08/2025 12:02

Oh god, they're both awful. Really awful.

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 24/08/2025 12:02

Comedycook · 24/08/2025 11:59

Yes I agree it will date but if you were recruiting for a job and a CV with the name Ryan on it appeared on your desk, you wouldn't actually blink an eye I'm sure.

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I’m thinking more of how teachers respond to those names

And - I used to hire all our new grads, and not once do I remember seeing Ryan on a CV, which possibly says something

luckylavender · 24/08/2025 12:01

Neither frankly

Comedycook · 24/08/2025 12:00

greengreyblue · 24/08/2025 11:56

Neither. River is better than Kai which is chavtastic I’m afraid.

I wouldn't have put it quite like that but yes it is a name I would associate with a particular social class. There's nothing inherently wrong with that but it depends if you are bothered by someone making a snap judgment on hearing a name.

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 24/08/2025 12:00

ToKittyornottoKitty · 24/08/2025 11:58

Kai has been around for decades, it’s just a chavy name like McKenzi.

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Ha well - still to be avoided then I guess.

I’m probably thinking of Kaia

Comedycook · 24/08/2025 11:59

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 24/08/2025 11:57

I slightly suspect Kai is a 20s version of Ryan though (or soon will be) so possibly not a great idea

River probably is a bit more neutral

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Yes I agree it will date but if you were recruiting for a job and a CV with the name Ryan on it appeared on your desk, you wouldn't actually blink an eye I'm sure.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 24/08/2025 11:58

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 24/08/2025 11:55

River is Ok

Kai is very random and makes me think of fish. Is it supposed to be the masculine of Kaia??

The only thing about both these names is they are very faddy and will date.

Kai has been around for decades, it’s just a chavy name like McKenzi.

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 24/08/2025 11:57

Comedycook · 24/08/2025 11:55

They are not so unusual though that they would raise an eyebrow. And they'll be applying for jobs with an entire generation where many will have unusual names.

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I slightly suspect Kai is a 20s version of Ryan though (or soon will be) so possibly not a great idea

River probably is a bit more neutral

Mercurial123 · 24/08/2025 11:57

Both are awful.

niadainud · 24/08/2025 11:56

I think you can get away with River if you're a famous Hollywood actor, but if you're a middle manager in IT with a receding hairline it's just going to sound ridiculous.

SweetPenelope · 24/08/2025 11:56

Neither.

greengreyblue · 24/08/2025 11:56

Neither. River is better than Kai which is chavtastic I’m afraid.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 24/08/2025 11:56

River isn’t a great name for people, and it has to go with a great surname to not just sound stupid. Remember this person will be an adult one day and needs a proper name

Comedycook · 24/08/2025 11:55

Chiseltip · 24/08/2025 11:54

Please don't.

The kid will be an adult someday, and applying for jobs . .

They are not so unusual though that they would raise an eyebrow. And they'll be applying for jobs with an entire generation where many will have unusual names.

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 24/08/2025 11:55

River is Ok

Kai is very random and makes me think of fish. Is it supposed to be the masculine of Kaia??

The only thing about both these names is they are very faddy and will date.

Julen7 · 24/08/2025 11:55

viques · 24/08/2025 11:54

If water is a theme then Koi would be an alternative.

As in Koi carp?

viques · 24/08/2025 11:54

If water is a theme then Koi would be an alternative.