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

The name Reef?

134 replies

June340oo · 14/09/2019 20:50

Opinion on the name Reef?

Found out we are having a baby boy, we both have struggled to agree on names. We like the following three, Reef, River & Oakley. The front runner being Reef.

James being the second name, what is your opinion on Reef?

I work in the marine biology field so it has sentimental value to me as I love the ocean and all things marine, keep marine tanks etc. My wife loves it too.

Just want your honest opinions? We want something different but not to weird.

Smile
OP posts:
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Frith2013 · 14/09/2019 20:52

No.

elsieotter · 14/09/2019 20:53

Not a fan at all OP I’m afraid. It just doesn’t seem like a ‘name’. I like River but only for a girl.
Oakley however is lovely. Such a nice name!

Biancadelrioisback · 14/09/2019 20:53

It's weird

Pennyjane89 · 14/09/2019 20:54

Reef queef

C305 · 14/09/2019 20:54

I think Reef sounds lovely for a boy, especially as there is actually meaning behind it for you 🐠🐡

SmellMySmellbow · 14/09/2019 20:55

Makes me think of spliffs.

smemorata · 14/09/2019 20:55

It's the sort of name that is bound (or will be bound) to become slang for something unsavoury at some point!

Toastedstrudel · 14/09/2019 20:55

Reefer was my first thought. Might be acceptable as a middle name?

TheHobbitMum · 14/09/2019 20:56

Too much like Reefer/spliff to me too, sorry

Papyrus · 14/09/2019 20:56

It immediately makes me think of a ‘reefer’

GlasshouseStoneThrower · 14/09/2019 20:56

It's definitely too weird imo. It also sounds too much like Reefer.

What about Ralph (pronounced Rafe) if you like that sound?

River and Oakley are also bad imo - but I really don't like zany names.

whatswithtodaytoday · 14/09/2019 20:56

Oh place your hands.

However, if you love it go for it!

LG93 · 14/09/2019 20:57

Nope. It's doesn't sound like a name to me, and with the job connection it makes it worse imo, feels a bit like a gardener calling their baby hedge Blush

NeutralJanet · 14/09/2019 20:57

Used to be a brand of alcopop back in my student days.

Frith2013 · 14/09/2019 20:58

So many lovely sea inspired names, anyone could do better than Reef. It reminds me of “Keef” as in
Keith Richards!

How about
Atlanta
Scylla
Charibdis
Odysseus
Ocean
Delta
Sabrina (ok, that’s the river Severn)
Storm

These are off the top of my head. There must be numerous sea birds and sea plants with both common and Latin names.

Aquifer · 14/09/2019 20:58

Put Your Hands On

and

Reef Alcopops

No.

paperandfireworks · 14/09/2019 21:02

Reefer. And queef.

HelpImAlive · 14/09/2019 21:02

you could always get a fish tattoo instead and call your son a better name? Are gweneth and Chris greengrocers?!

IHaveBrilloHair · 14/09/2019 21:03

Hahaaaha, don't be ridiculous.

HelpImAlive · 14/09/2019 21:03

Ralph is an excellent name!!

user1573354 · 14/09/2019 21:03

It sounds a little try hard to be edgy and hippie, also makes me think of the one hit wonder band... BUT I do really quite like it. Much rather Reef than yawnsome top 10's like Harry, Jackson, Ethan etc.

DramaAlpaca · 14/09/2019 21:03

River & Oakley are better.

Reef isn't nice at all.

Sunflower160 · 14/09/2019 21:05

No. It’d sound like he’s trying to say his name is Reece but has a bad lisp.

HelpImAlive · 14/09/2019 21:06

The thing is about certain names if you're not edgy and cool (& I doubt any kids of mine will be) it doesn't really work does it? I think there's a lot to be said for safe names actually. Or at least traditional but underused if you don't want an Oliver or a Harry!

Shmithecat2 · 14/09/2019 21:10

No. I just think of Place Your Hands. Being drunk, singing it.