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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think River Rocket isn't THAT bad...

63 replies

Porcupinetree · 23/08/2016 17:32

Jamie Oliver's new son is reportedly called River Rocket .

AIBU to think that it really isn't that bad a name?

OP posts:
bakeoffcake · 24/08/2016 08:00

I know a 7 year old called River. I also remember River Phoenix. It's not that unusual, it could have been a lot worse.
Jamie was "spotted" whilst working at The River Cafe, so I wonder if it's a nod to that too.

I like the fact names are getting less and less traditional. Why does it matter what people are called?

NoahVale · 24/08/2016 08:01

I also thought of River Phoenix.

but the rocket, do they use that?
do they use the second names, the Oliver family I wonder?

Original poster
Porcupinetree · 24/08/2016 08:06

DoreenLethal - I agree regarding names, ultimately they're all just words that sounded nice to the parents . I think that too often in this country we seem to think 'if they weren't names in the bible then they're not proper names', so basically nice Hebrew words that sound nice to the parents!

I'd rather see a few more kids names similarly to the Olivers than I would another 100 more Joshuas, Jacobs or Noahs!

OP posts:
KoalaDownUnder · 24/08/2016 08:08

River Phoenix 'goes', though.

River Oliver just doesn't work.

PuppyMonkey · 24/08/2016 08:11

Whereas River Rocket Oliver flows a lot better. GrinGrinConfused

KoalaDownUnder · 24/08/2016 08:15

No, I mean it doesn't flow at all - with or without 'Rocket'! Grin

Stellabystarlight · 24/08/2016 08:19

Can't bring myself to get worked up about this. As celeb baby names go River's alright. Way better than Buddy.

Chortle at Doreenlethal - it's not rocket salad

KoalaDownUnder · 24/08/2016 08:21

Oh, it's certainly better than Buddy, which is plain daft.

Hulababy · 24/08/2016 08:29

It's fine. Not my choice but hey, I see a lot on MN that isn't my choice. Wouldn't be rude enough to vilify the parents for it though.

River on its own isn't that out there either TBH. And most people are only really known by their first name, when out and about, at school/work etc.

And this child will grow up knowing other celeb children, probably going to school
In similar circles - and TBH their name probably wouldn't stand out that much at all.

I've certainly seen and heard far more unusual names given out, and not just in celeb circles.

Hulababy · 24/08/2016 08:30

It's fine. Not my choice but hey, I see a lot on MN that isn't my choice. Wouldn't be rude enough to vilify the parents for it though.

River on its own isn't that out there either TBH. And most people are only really known by their first name, when out and about, at school/work etc.

And this child will grow up knowing other celeb children, probably going to school
In similar circles - and TBH their name probably wouldn't stand out that much at all.

I've certainly seen and heard far more unusual names given out, and not just in celeb circles.

Hulababy · 24/08/2016 08:30

It's fine. Not my choice but hey, I see a lot on MN that isn't my choice. Wouldn't be rude enough to vilify the parents for it though.

River on its own isn't that out there either TBH. And most people are only really known by their first name, when out and about, at school/work etc.

And this child will grow up knowing other celeb children, probably going to school
In similar circles - and TBH their name probably wouldn't stand out that much at all.

I've certainly seen and heard far more unusual names given out, and not just in celeb circles.

StillDrSethHazlittMD · 24/08/2016 08:37

It is self indulgent hippy wank of the highest order and I really hope that when they are old enough Buddy Bear and River Rocket change their names by deed poll and tell their parents they will only answer to their new names.

Which will be Road Runner Oliver and Wile E Coyote Oliver Matt and Alex.

Hassled · 24/08/2016 08:40

I feel the need to know whether it's Rocket as in thing that goes up to space, or Rocket as in peppery salad plant.

kierenthecommunity · 24/08/2016 08:42

I can't read it without hearing the theme tune to 'Rhyme Rocket' in my head Blush

I don't especially like either name much but I can't see Jamie losing much sleep over that. I heard he doesn't rate my name much either Wink

SatsukiKusakabe · 24/08/2016 08:47

What I find difficult is this child has actually been given this name, others will be called River too, it's not that out there, and these threads seem to perpetuate the idea that it's ok, and almost expected, to be bullied for what your parents' called you, by straight away coming up with all the ways it's shit and you can make jokes about it. "He'll be bullied - let's start now!". I don't get it really from adults. My ds doesn't care about any of the names in his class; he knows someone with a name therefore it's normal. River is not more unusual than Harry to a five year old, Buddy no different to Sonny. Petal is just a floral girls name among many. Who even knows what people's middle names are? It is adults they learn sneering from.

Whathaveilost · 24/08/2016 08:52

Like most children I'm guessing that the child will be known by his first name, River, and his middle name will hardly be mentioned once the fuss has died down. Hardly anyone knows my middle name and it's never used. Same with most people I know, I don't know there their middle names.

River is hardly a new name.
So over all it's ok.

scarednoob · 24/08/2016 09:02

sounds like a sex toy.

ilovesprouts · 24/08/2016 09:08

Not my taste but each to there own I say when my ds2 was little they would ask his name and when I said his They pull there face. same with my grandson his name a bit different but know a few kids with same name.

19lottie82 · 24/08/2016 09:20

River is acceptable....... Rocket, not so much.

I live in Glasgow where the term "Rocket" is slag for a mad person!

Foxyloxy1plus1 · 24/08/2016 10:10

River Phoenix? Did anyone laugh at that?
River is not that uncommon a name. Along the same lines as Storm imo. Rocket's silly, but I guess he'll be known as River and his siblings are known by their first names. Nothing wrong with Daisy, Poppy etc.

KoalaDownUnder · 24/08/2016 10:13

I wouldn't be concerned about 'kids in the playground' and teasing. That's not the issue.

Imagine going by 'Buddy' as a grown man. Not to your mates, but in a business / professional situation. It'd be like introducing yourself as 'Mate' or 'Pal'. Cringe.

SaucyJack · 24/08/2016 10:21

Yeah, that ^^ Koala.

I like a wacky name as much as anyone else (I have a Persephone FFS!), but Buddy Bear is a stupid name for anyone over the age of 4.

I think they forgot they were naming an actual person- and not a product for Jools' Mithercare range- when they thought that one up.

ghostyslovesheep · 24/08/2016 10:29

They are just continuing their tradition of naming children after my little ponies - nowt wrong with that 😀

KittyVonCatsington · 24/08/2016 10:39

Imagine going by 'Buddy' as a grown man. Not to your mates, but in a business / professional situation. It'd be like introducing yourself as 'Mate' or 'Pal'. Cringe.

Maybe he'll be in a rock band!!! He may well be called Bud as an adult and that sounds good. It's like the name Guy I suppose, but we don't see gay as unusual now so maybe 'Bud' will be the same!

All those talking about bullying though, as a teacher, I see lots of these unusual names these days, so much that they are no longer 'unusual' and the children don't bat an eyelid (I teach two lovely boys called Pheonix, in different Years), and it's just seen as the norm!

KittyVonCatsington · 24/08/2016 10:39

Guy not gay Blush