River

[brookeberry]

Hi all, I've asked about this before but it really is decision time for us very soon!

We are having a little boy and just can't settle on a name, but we both like River. We're not huge hippies (can you still say that word?), but we're not completely traditional either - artistic and nature-loving I suppose, with a toe in the business world.

But of course, it's about him - I think it sounds gentle but strong. What do you think?

Depends on your surname. If your name is Dee / Trent / Aire or suchlike, avoid!

To answer your question, I think it sounds gentle but strong

Haha, good point mnemonica ! Don't worry, we're safe

It's not my usual style, but I actually like it a lot. :)

Lovely! We had in on both our boy and girl lists.

I think it's a very feminine name and a assumed you were having good a girl when reading the thread title.
I have known 1 river , who was a girl. Her sister was summer .

I actually really like it, but I'd try and find a specific river to name after. Dd was very nearly Isis - another name for the Thames in Oxford - which I though my would have been excellent, as DH comes from Gloucestershire and I come from London. DH is more politically aware than me and refused. She's named after a valley where we used to live instead.

Just makes me think of Phoenix. People may think you've got the name from there.

My strongest association by far is a River Song in Doctor Who.

And as there are an awful lot of Whovians, I think that's going to be a pretty widespread and durable association.

So are you OK with a unisex name?

My first thought was River Song too.

I think it's a bit.... naff. Sorry, it's the Doctor Who thing...

Actually the name Phoenix is ace.

First thought was also river song from dr who, but i do like it, and also think its a name that works for little ones as well as teens and adults, can see a sporty teen boy called river, he's cool and clever too !

I think of the actor as the first River I knew was a boy, now I know a girl and strongly suspect a Whovian choice.

Mmm, River Song... I so would.

Thanks for all the feedback

Yes I first heard it with River Phoenix (sigh). I know it's in Doctor Who (I stopped watching when David Tenant left!) but when I heard the name River Song (I love that actress) I thought it was even more beautiful. And I do like a unisex name.

puppy we were considering Phoenix as well! But decided that it was maybe too 'out there'.

bikeski funnily enough, there is a small connection to an actual river (a small one). We'd been ttc for a few years with many ups and downs and eventually got to the stage of giving up. We moved not too long ago to a house with an actual river at the bottom of the garden ( a wide stream, but like a river when it's been raining) and conceived within weeks of being here. Sorry if that sounds a bit naff!

My first association was River Tam, but then I'm a geek.

sofiria I had to google - the only River Tam I know is on this thread! She looks very fabulous!

An actual, established name would be better. River would be a nice middle name though....

I like it.

Don't like it and think its gender less.

I thought River Tam too! I think it's a great name though and would be fine for boy or girl.

Think it's pretty awful tbh.

I don't like it, it sounds very soft and yes, hippy-ish IMO. I might be ok for a baby/small child but I'm sceptical that it will suit a teenager or man. I would always think of River Phoenix as a first association.

I dont like it at all.

Funny, I think River is waaaasay more "out there" than Phoenix! I love Phoenix. River is nice too and it has a lot of meaning to you obviously, so that's great.
Congratulations on your pregnancy x