The name Reef?

[June340oo]

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.

Sorry OP. Reef doesn't even sound like a name to me.

I appreciate you have a love of the ocean/nature, but it's your child that will be saddled with the name for their entire life (or 18 if they change it).

If you love the name, can you not use it as a nickname instead?

Reef is awful, too many crappy associations and mispronunciations. unsderstand how it would appeal to you in isolation but out in the wide world it just doesn't work

(I had a similar realisation for one of my DC's names. It's a bummer but there it is)

If you want a sea-based name, here's a website with some suggestions -
wehavekids.com/baby-names/ocean-inspired-baby-names

People will assume that you're a druggie.

I know an Ocean and Blue. At first I was a bit wtf but it's grown.

Reef! - are you serious!?

Only if your surname is "Knot".

Reminds me of those awful alcopops from the naughties that gave me indigestion!

I dislike made up names but I do actually like Reef. It actually sounds better than if you write it.
If you didn’t know how it was spelt, it could just be a non British name, maybe Israeli or something?
Do it!
I want to see the first Mumsnet post to say “ do you remember in Baby Names 2019 because a child called a Reef has just enrolled in Nursery”

Nemo, as in Finding

It's weird. I don't like any of your choices sorry.

Honestly if you like it and it has meaning behind it for you then go for it! It's not the worst name in the world. Personally I do prefer the other names tho😊

I prefer your other two names

Reef isn’t good (and this is coming from someone who likes unusual names)

People will associate Oakley with sunglasses so I wouldn't go for that choice either.

Obviously don't go for River if your surname is Phoenix.

As in tener (reef) ? lol!

I quite like it. But Ralph (rafe) bit safer. Ive always liked River. I'm less keen on oakley.

Nope, not a fan at all.

Would you want to be called Reef? Could use Reid maybe?

Just awful

@GlasshouseStoneThroweras of course I know who Scylla and Charibdis were!

Where are your suggestions?

🚬

You can do better, OP.

How about Rafe instead?

The only Reef I’ve ever met was a ‘spirited’ child so perhaps I’m biased against it.
We used to say he was named after the failed method of contraception.

Ds went to school with a Reef

Oakley is awful OP
Reef isn’t great & River is very dated.

Please don't. It's awful and people will assume you are hilarious stoners or hippies.
Also Reef the drink.
Reef Wreath. keef. Queef.

River is very 1990s and Oakley is a pair of sunglasses

Not keen. A bottle of Reef was my choice when I first started drinking as a student and it was my first thought when I saw your post. Agree with PP that Ralph (pronounced Rafe) is a much better and similar choice.