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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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FillTheGoldenCupWithRoses · 21/08/2026 10:33

I think Jonah Berger sounds best

GoodGraciousGeorgie · 21/08/2026 10:25

Can you change your surname or give your son a different one? Sorry, that's rude. But Berger (Burger?) is the problem with those two particular names. River is a lovely name and quite well known and used now, I don't think too many people will batt an eyelid. Jonah is lovely too. Jonah works better with Berger. But then how often do we say our full name out loud in everyday lives except with call centre staff or checking in to something. I mean if you pronounce it with the emphasis on 'Ber' it's not so bad as it breaks the flow up from it sounding like a type of burger - River BERger

Softcream · 21/08/2026 01:31

I like River but not with your surname, sorry. I also think Jonah isn't great with your surname.

JenRummy · 21/08/2026 01:27

River Berger doesn’t work. Have you a maiden name you can prefix it with? With that surname too he’s likely to get gentle ribbing about Ice, Ham, Beef being his name (depending on pronunciation, 💐 not 🪣).

Joey Berger works. So that’s preference from these two. Also know a couple of Rivers but no Jonah.

SnowFrogJelly · 21/08/2026 01:23

Jonah goes better with surname

mathanxiety · 21/08/2026 01:07

River wouldn't work, for all the reasons pps have posted. I don't think it's anything but a very niche name - not a mainstream name at all.

Jonah is far better.

avilsdedvocate · 21/08/2026 01:06

Jonah

user1492757084 · 21/08/2026 01:04

I would steer clear of first names ending in 'er' sound with Berger. Or meat/food related like Angus Berger. Or rhyming like Fergus Berger

Say the full name out aloud.

Joseph Berger
Joel Berger
Roland Berger
Hartley Berger
Glenn Berger
Charles Berger
Rex Berger

WilliamsWishWellingtons · 20/08/2026 23:56

Nope. Both sound like an American golfer.

Are you American?

JustGiveMeReason · 20/08/2026 23:49

I really don't like 'River' for a name anyway, but it sounds particularly bad with your surname.

I do like 'Jonah' even though I don't think it is a great choice with your surname, which it seems is a bit tricky to find a first name for.

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?

Mumofgirls2017 · 20/08/2026 22:42

agree. Love river but not with Berger. Go for anything else!

Calliopespa · 20/08/2026 22:18

gabriellag · 20/08/2026 22:16

I was assuming Berger was with a ‘j’ sound, like John Berger?

I personally think both are nice!

That would help ...

Calliopespa · 20/08/2026 22:17

It will need to be something that doesn't end in "uh", start with B or sound like a type of burger or mountain.

Not dealing with girls' names right now, but you might as well write off Etta Berger!

gabriellag · 20/08/2026 22:16

I was assuming Berger was with a ‘j’ sound, like John Berger?

I personally think both are nice!

Giraffehaver · 20/08/2026 22:16

River Berger makes me think fatburg(sp?) Sorry. O agree with pps who say Jonah burger is sing song sorry again.
Maybe
Joel or Joseph would be better

Calliopespa · 20/08/2026 22:14

abracadabra1980 · 20/08/2026 22:11

River Berger sounds like a posh addition to a McDonalds menu.

Then again the Jonah Berger sounds like a whale-sized Fillet O' Fish.

abracadabra1980 · 20/08/2026 22:11

River Berger sounds like a posh addition to a McDonalds menu.

Calliopespa · 20/08/2026 22:02

roseymoira · 20/08/2026 21:26

River Berger made me laugh out loud

I think it is because it sounds like a type of iceberg.

Calliopespa · 20/08/2026 22:01

Goodmorningeveryone26 · 20/08/2026 21:44

Both sound terrible with Berger because of the uh sound at the end

Sadly Op I think this is post on.

You need a very carefully chosen name with Berger. Because Burger is so very often a two word phrase, even things like Charles Berger will easily trick the ear into hearing Cheeseburger - and you certainly cannot do Hans Berger.

I also think B names will sound amusing, like Ben Burger or Bob Berger.

Oh and Mac is best avoided.

Goodmorningeveryone26 · 20/08/2026 21:44

Both sound terrible with Berger because of the uh sound at the end

Firebird83 · 20/08/2026 21:38

Jonah Berger sounds better

SaulHudsonDavidJones · 20/08/2026 21:38

I much prefer River but sorry, not with your surname. I’m not a fan of Jonah but it goes better with your surname so if you like it then that’s the better choice.

roseymoira · 20/08/2026 21:26

River Berger made me laugh out loud

Bunnybigears · 20/08/2026 21:22

PancakeCloud · 20/08/2026 21:06

I would say River is very normal these days, i know several under 10 (both genders).

Jonah less well used and cute. I love Joey.

I prefer Jonah but both work.

I can’t for the life of me work out how either name would rhyme with Berger per the previous poster (how could it be pronounced Biver or Bonah?)

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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