Reeva

[Girlsgirlsgirls08]

My DH and I have struggled to think of a girls name for our DD who is due in April.

We've just thought of the name Reeva and both really like it. I understand the potential links to Reeva Steenkamp, but it feels a shame to penalise a name because of what someone evil did.

Interested to see if people like it? Also any middle name ideas? Thank you!

I know what you mean about it being sad to penalise a name based on an evil act but I must admit it does have tragic overtones for me. I would immediately think of Reevaluate Steenkamp. Sorry :(

A friend of ours has a DD named Reeva, I'd never heard of it before but it's a lovely unusual name.

I'm maybe not the best person to suggest middle names as my DH always says the names I like are horrible 😂 with our last DD I liked Dove and Winter as middle names.

Stupid autocorrect. Obviously meant REEVA

I went immediately to Steenkamp too OP, sorry!

I like it but I think the association with that poor woman is too strong unfortunately.

I saw this thread and thought about Reeva Steenkamp before even opened it. Sorry OP.

Reba is similar, as in Reba McEntire.

The only one I know spells it Riva. I prefer Riva spelling and maybe, written at least, less association?

It's a beautiful name but I automatically associate it with the tragic Reeva Steencamp. I couldn't use it.

We have a four year old Reeva in our extended family. When I first heard the name I thought of Reeva Steenkamp but I don’t now. I like it although that connection is why I wouldn’t have chosen it myself.

Don't get me started on this one!

It hasn't stopped people calling their sons Oscar so why should the name Reeva be tainted?

Reeva is such a beautiful name.

I also have a soft spot for the name Raine/Rayne and Reese.

Beautiful name. When I read the title, I knew I heard this name before but only your full post reminded me of her. I think once you have your baby named Reeva the association with the other Reeva will fade away or will stop bothering you. The kids or her generation, once grownup, will barely know the story anyway.. unfortunately. These were headlines a few years ago. Btw, how you checked if in SA this name has become more or less popular recently?

I know a Reeva, named very shortly after Steenkamp's death was in the news. Found it really odd - even if you personally think the name deserves a second chance, when it's that strong an association why would you want a murdered woman to be the first thing people think think they meet your child??

(A PP said we don't do the same to Oscar so why should we for Reeva - I know personally about 6 Oscars and can think of plenty more famous ones. The name Oscar by itself doesn't make anyone think of Pistorious, I'd put money on it. Reeva is not a common name - in the UK anyway - and as you can see from this thread the association is strong!)

This. I wouldn't want it because of the association, it feels a bit 'cursed'. I'm like that with names in general if the person has passed in tragic circumstances.

Thanks all, ah I really hoped over time the association would have faded but it doesn't seem to have. I do agree that the next generation hopefully won't have as much awareness of the connotations but I am having second thoughts.

There’s a bus and train company called Arriva which is pronounced A Reeva so the name Reeva would be a no from that point of view.

@Melaniais it's a French name so I'm not sure if it was ever used a lot in SA. I can't see exact data but I expect the popularity of the name has declined (similarly to Madeline.. which is also a shame as such a beautiful name!)

I think of Reeva Steenkamp too, and also the bird (though that is reeve not reeva).

The association didn't come to me, OP, so it won't with everyone.

How about Reema? Similar but different enough?

It's such a sad situation.

Reeva is a beautiful name but the association is definitely still strong.

Obviously your daughters friends won't know anything about it, and by the time they do the association will already be with your daughter.

Also, as people get to know your daughter the association will fade.

I think you'd actually be ok after peoples initial association.

It really is a lovely name.

I didn't make the initial association either tbh.

Riva does looks prettier, I think, but you might also like Keeva, or Akiva? "Rive" is riverbank in French (as in "rive gauche") but I don't know how common Reeva is in France - I've never heard it used there.

I really don't think people will make the Reeva Steenkamp connection for much longer. It was a horrible tragedy but it isn't an ongoing story (in the way that the search for Madeleine McCann continues).

I would use it.

How about Rover? No tragic connotations, and good at fetching.

I think it’s a lovely name and as others have said I don’t think the association will be made for much longer, certainly not for your daughters generation. Alternatively what about Ria? Or Mila?

Because there are many well known Oscars and only one well known Reeva.

I personally wouldn't use it.