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Baby names

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

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.

OP posts:
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LlynTegid · 20/08/2026 21:11

Not River, please don't.

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.

roshi42 · 20/08/2026 21:10

I like the name River a lot. It doesn’t quite sound right with Berger but not in a tease-able way - just that the ‘er’ sound at the end of both is a bit repetitive. Never mind if you absolutely love it?

RosesAndHellebores · 20/08/2026 21:09

Jonah's better but appropos the prevous poster: Jonah the Bonah. Shock

7238SM · 20/08/2026 21:09

I really like the name River, but I'm afraid I don't like it with your surname. Is it pronounced like burger? Maybe as a middle name then he can choose if he prefers to use it.

YosoyEduardo · 20/08/2026 21:07

No to River Berger, just no.

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?)

Charis1503 · 20/08/2026 21:05

I have a Reuben and a Noah and had I had another boy he would have been Jonah!

I love the name

AntiHop · 20/08/2026 21:04

River berger does not sound good. Why not Joseph, shortened to joey.

Bunnybigears · 20/08/2026 21:02

Depending on how you pronounce Berger both of those names could end up rhyming with it and I always find rhyming first and surnames sound a bit odd