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Baby names

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

Original poster

Can’t decide between two names

85 replies

chriss232 · 20/08/2026 20:56

I really love the name River but can’t tell if it sounds overly strange with our last name (Berger) like low hanging fruit for bullying or jokes. Also not sure if most people think of it as a “normal” name nowadays or if it’s a name that would make people roll their eyes or consider wimpy for a boy?

I also really like the name Jonah. And could potentially want to use the nickname Joey.

Trying to avoid name regret but now I feel like I’m just obsessing and getting nowhere.

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chriss232 · 28/08/2026 08:13

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SevenPrettyPetals · 23/08/2026 17:18

Do you pronounce Berger as ‘burger’ or ‘burjer’? Both names sound better with the latter pronunciation, but not so much the former.

River Berger sounds like something you’d be served at a millennial-owned restaurant, and Jonah Berger sounds like you’re asking someone if they’d like a burger. I suppose you could go for Joey for short, but Joey Berger sounds like a kangaroo’s offspring has been slung on to the bbq.

Wheelz46 · 23/08/2026 09:03

Is it only me that thinks that Jonah Berger sounds like "do you want a berger" 😬

Gateappreciation · 23/08/2026 07:45

Any1ForTennis · 20/08/2026 21:10

River Berger sounds like having a McDonald's on a canal boat. Imagine Rosie and Jim tucking into a big mac while Fizzgog steers the boat....

Jonah is a lovely name, I would definitely go with that one.

I agree with you on the River Berger, plus I’d assume it was a girls name,

Summerlovingtheraspberries · 23/08/2026 07:30

How do you pronounce your surname?
Is it Ber- jer or Ber- gur?
If the latter then do not call your child River.
Burger pronunciation will be very hard to match.
As for River I do find it an eye roll name.
Very try hard.
River Phoenix was named after his parents joined a hippy commune. Phoenix was not their real name, they changed it.
Also being a Hollywood superstar is very different from being an ordinary person living a very ordinary life, and having to carry a name like that.
It’s a lot to live up to and most males will never live up to a name like River.

Copperoliverbear · 22/08/2026 21:25

Don’t like either of them with the surname

NuffSaidSam · 22/08/2026 19:26

QueenOfTheWasps · 22/08/2026 18:32

If you want a biblical name, how about Ham?

<gets coat>

😂

QueenOfTheWasps · 22/08/2026 18:32

If you want a biblical name, how about Ham?

<gets coat>

Sparklinggreen · 22/08/2026 16:05

River Berger doesn’t sound great

I prefer Joseph to Jonah if you are keen on Joey as a nn

mtobrokeme · 22/08/2026 14:19

Yes to Jonah. Love that. Absolutely no to River, just think it’s a really silly name.

Morethanadecade · 22/08/2026 14:17

I don’t think either work with Berger, even if it’s pronounced with a G or J. I really dislike Jonah, and River is much better than that.

dupedsuave · 22/08/2026 14:13

River
Fine with your name

plasticplate · 22/08/2026 14:04

I prefer Jonah to River but I don't think either are good with the surname Berger. If you like the nickname Joey then I think Joseph works better as the full name

TeaAndStrumpets · 21/08/2026 22:47

Calliopespa · 21/08/2026 22:41

I think Jonah learned his lesson though so the associations are not all negative?

I still think anything suggesting max or monster size, or whales or jumbo etc doesn't work with Berger.

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Good point!

Of course poor unlucky Jonah was also in the Beano but probably not an obvious association these days 😃

Calliopespa · 21/08/2026 22:41

Excellentsausages · 21/08/2026 22:39

I guess some people are bothered by name associations with characters in Shakespeare/myths/legends etc and don't name their children Ophelia, Jonah, Delilah, Romeo etc.

It wouldn't put me off in the slightest, and there are lots of Ophelias etc.

Show quote history

I think Jonah learned his lesson though so the associations are not all negative?

I still think anything suggesting max or monster size, or whales or jumbo etc doesn't work with Berger.

Calliopespa · 21/08/2026 22:39

Foxyloxy89 · 20/08/2026 23:41

River Burger sounds like something you'd order for lunch on a boat.... how about Ralph, or Rhys? Joseph or just Joey?

I think with the Berger surname, the first name needs to be relatively staid and not sound like an affectionate name for a burger with added onions or something.

Joseph Berger probably works, but I think Joey Berger sounds too much like a kangaroo meat burger or something.

Excellentsausages · 21/08/2026 22:39

TeaAndStrumpets · 21/08/2026 22:32

Jonah was in the Bible. Punished by God, shipwrecked, swallowed by a whale. Ring any bells?

I guess some people are bothered by name associations with characters in Shakespeare/myths/legends etc and don't name their children Ophelia, Jonah, Delilah, Romeo etc.

It wouldn't put me off in the slightest, and there are lots of Ophelias etc.

DoreenCorkhill · 21/08/2026 22:35

Jonah

Excellentsausages · 21/08/2026 22:35

I like River better (good name) but there's something not quite working with the surname (maybe because they're both nouns?). Jonah Berger also doesn't flow well enough for my liking but it's better with the surname.

I think something like Alexander, Thomas, Zachary etc work a bit better. Or John like the writer.

OliveIsHereAgain · 21/08/2026 22:35

Bunnybigears · 20/08/2026 21:22

Because rhymes work on the last stressed syllable not the first. RivER BergER or JonAH BergAH depending on how you pronounce Berger.

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This exactly. Avoid the er and a names and it will flow better.

TeaAndStrumpets · 21/08/2026 22:32

Jonah was in the Bible. Punished by God, shipwrecked, swallowed by a whale. Ring any bells?

Armorlux · 21/08/2026 22:22

ScruffMuffin · 21/08/2026 22:15

Jonah sounds better, but I really wouldn't use either with Berger. They both end with the same sound as the surname. Joe, Joey, Joseph or Joel would be fine.

I don't see the problem. Lots of names,including mine,have the same sound ending. It has literally never been a problem or even commented on.

Fwiw OP,I much prefer Jonah and it's much less likely to go out of fashion.

ScruffMuffin · 21/08/2026 22:15

Jonah sounds better, but I really wouldn't use either with Berger. They both end with the same sound as the surname. Joe, Joey, Joseph or Joel would be fine.

Ljzjta · 21/08/2026 21:30

I prefer Jonah to River

JustGiveMeReason · 21/08/2026 20:39

HumptyDump · 21/08/2026 12:45

I can’t believe no one has said Jonah is a jinx name. I couldn’t use it.

What do you mean ?