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Baby names

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

Original poster

Baby girl name Rea?

56 replies

HappyGoldEagle · 23/04/2026 11:37

Both me and my husband are set on Rea we both love Ria as another spelling. We need your opinions please any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

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Inspirel · 24/04/2026 21:29

harrietm87 · 24/04/2026 20:49

As per my previous post, it’s a pretty common surname in Northern Ireland and definitely pronounced ray.

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I know several people with the surname Rea in the Republic of Ireland and they all pronounce it Ray too.

harrietm87 · 24/04/2026 21:18

Hannaseed · 24/04/2026 20:50

I would spell it Rea. No idea why anyone would think it was pronounced Ray.

Why do you keep posting the same thing when several posters have explained that Rea (pronounced RAY) is a surname.

Peanutbutteryday · 24/04/2026 21:16

I love it! It was on our short list x

Imaginingdragonsagain · 24/04/2026 21:13

I think it’s a pretty name.

Hannaseed · 24/04/2026 21:12

BuffetTheDietSlayer · 24/04/2026 21:09

So the child has a name to switch to if she ever starts receiving diarrhoea comments.

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Except she won't.

Only on MN baby names do poster post bollocks like that.

BuffetTheDietSlayer · 24/04/2026 21:09

Hannaseed · 24/04/2026 21:02

She doesn't want to call her Maria or Rhianna. Why do posters suggest names that can be shortened?

Rea is a name in it's own right.

So the child has a name to switch to if she ever starts receiving diarrhoea comments.

Hannaseed · 24/04/2026 21:02

She doesn't want to call her Maria or Rhianna. Why do posters suggest names that can be shortened?

Rea is a name in it's own right.

Northbynorthbest · 24/04/2026 21:01

Rea will be pronounced "ray" (as in Stephen Rea, the actor.
Ria or Rhea.

dottyaboutstripes · 24/04/2026 20:58

It’s all a bit too confusing!
FWIW I knew a Ria and she was R-eye-ah

elmtreeyellow · 24/04/2026 20:57

What about Maria, Ria for short

allmycats · 24/04/2026 20:54

Rea is a fairly common surname in Northern Ireland and is pronounced Ray.

PurpleNightingale · 24/04/2026 20:54

I'd spell it Rhea. It's a pretty name, I know an adult Rhea and she is pretty badass.

Rea spelling made me think illness, sorry.

Fartughtyred · 24/04/2026 20:53

Showing my age, but the actress Wendy Craig played the part of Ria Parkinson in the late 70's comedy series 'Butterflies' , so it's an established name

Specialneedsnightmare · 24/04/2026 20:52

I knew an adult Ria and love the name. I never once associated it with diarrhea.

Hannaseed · 24/04/2026 20:50

I would spell it Rea. No idea why anyone would think it was pronounced Ray.

harrietm87 · 24/04/2026 20:49

Hannaseed · 24/04/2026 20:37

Rea is not pronounced Ray. That would be Rae.

As per my previous post, it’s a pretty common surname in Northern Ireland and definitely pronounced ray.

harrietm87 · 24/04/2026 20:48

I’ve known a few people with Rea as a surname - it’s quite common in Northern an Ireland - and it’s pronounced Ray.

Also I’ve met a few babies/toddlers called Rae (also pronounced Ray) recently so I think Rea could get confused/misread as that as well.

If you want it to sound like Ree-a then I’d probably spell it Ria. Or you could call her Rhiannon or Rihanna and Ria for short?

SkyWalrus · 24/04/2026 20:48

In Greek mythology, Rhea was a goddess and mother to Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Hades, Poseidon, and Zeus. She was also married to her brother, Cronos and helped Zeus to overthrow him. I’ve known a more earthly Rhea too. More easily understood than Rea, I think.

Hannaseed · 24/04/2026 20:40

It's a lovely name and only idiots would associate it with diarrhoea and who cares what they think?

Hannaseed · 24/04/2026 20:37

Rea is not pronounced Ray. That would be Rae.

GrueyTwoey · 24/04/2026 20:32

It looks unfinished.

Mumofmarauders · 24/04/2026 20:30

The river in Birmingham is the river Rea and it’s pronounced Ray. I think it’d be a nice name! (I’ve taught a few students called Ria, that’s quite. Ice too).

Vivisays · 24/04/2026 20:23

I love the name Rea. Beautiful, classy, modern ⭐️

Dalmationday · 24/04/2026 20:21

Diarrhoea

StationJack · 24/04/2026 20:20

Rhiannon shortened to Rhia isn't really 'Rea'.