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Baby names

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

River?

41 replies

overworkedundersexed · 16/08/2016 21:33

I adore this name so much, for a boy. Our DD has a very traditional, queen's name so this would be a change of direction. Our surname starts with R so lovely alliteration.
What do you think? Too unusual? Do you know any? Could he be prime minister with a name like that? (If he wanted to be)
I know River Phoenix will be first to pop into your head....

OP posts:
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NeedACleverNN · 16/08/2016 21:33

I like it but I see it more as a girls name

Such as River Tam from firefly

KnockMeDown · 16/08/2016 21:34

I thought Song straight away.

< Whovian >

EmpressOfTheSevenOceans · 16/08/2016 21:38

I thought Song straightaway too.

Love that character.

overworkedundersexed · 16/08/2016 21:39

Knock - huh?!

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KnockMeDown · 16/08/2016 21:43

River Song is a character from Dr Who - in fact, she is his wife. But obviously not everyone will make that connection.

ClockMakerSue · 16/08/2016 21:44

Although I do still think of River Phoenix, I have known a female River so now think of it as a more unisex. Maybe slightly more feminine.

villainousbroodmare · 16/08/2016 21:45

A friend of mine who's a keen fisherman named his firstborn son this. I don't think it suits him. I can't help thinking of it as a noun, not a name. But a nice noun...

overworkedundersexed · 16/08/2016 21:45

Interesting that it's potentially more of a feminine name - I find it very manly! But useful to know.

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Sadik · 16/08/2016 21:49

The only RL person I know called River is male - I think it's a great name, OP, and perfectly good for a 'serious' job.

OSETmum · 16/08/2016 21:49

I like it.

overworkedundersexed · 16/08/2016 21:49

Common rather than proper noun, right villainous? Wink

OP posts:
Northernlight22 · 16/08/2016 21:52

I liked river for a girl, but defo unisex

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 16/08/2016 21:53

I like River for a boy. Really nice OP.

overworkedundersexed · 16/08/2016 21:54

Ooh lovely, thanks for all the positivity everyone!

OP posts:
PelvicFloorClenchReminder · 16/08/2016 21:56

I love River.

EmpressOfTheSevenOceans · 16/08/2016 22:00

It definitely works for both sexes.

TwoLittleBlooms · 16/08/2016 22:22

I really like River for a boy. Very cool.

augustusdecimus · 16/08/2016 23:15

It's absolutely a boy's name for me.

Yes, I think immediately of River Phoenix.

But it's a very cool name imo.

squoosh · 16/08/2016 23:25

I'd assume you were a mega River Phoenix fan and that your inner 15 year old self was still in mourning.

He was very pretty indeed.

Sophronia · 16/08/2016 23:31

I love it for a boy

ClockMakerSue · 17/08/2016 10:23

After reading this yesterday, I then read that Kelly Clarkson has a daughter called River Rose. I'd still say unisex but would be interested to find out if it is as unisex as I think or if more boys/girls were named it in the last few years.

DerelictMyBalls · 17/08/2016 14:13

Lovely. I like it for a boy and a girl.

MrsGsnow18 · 17/08/2016 15:55

I know a little girl called River in real life. Before that I had thought of it as more of a boy's name because of River Phoenix.
I think it's definitely becoming more unisex but still a lovely unusual name.

EssentialHummus · 17/08/2016 16:03

I like it but not keen on the RR alliteration.

Mama1980 · 17/08/2016 16:04

I love the name
Firefly was my first thought