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Baby names

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

Original poster

River

141 replies

heffalumpwoozle · 22/05/2025 07:16

Thoughts on the name River for a boy?

It's a favourite for both DH and me, but a bit worried family might think it's a bit 'out there' or effeminate. Family are quite traditional. I know I shouldn't care about their opinions but as I get closer to birth I'm finding I can't help it.

Alexander is our 'safe' option, we both also love it, but we're both arty/creative and River feels a bit more us.

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Divebar2021 · 22/05/2025 07:19

River Alexander it is then… I like it. I’m old enough to remember River Phoenix ( who was absolutely gorgeous I might add). I think family will get used to it pretty quickly.

narcASD · 22/05/2025 07:20

Nope, Alexander is much nicer, River is a bit wet and he may not be arty and creative and will likely hate his name as he gets into teenage years. Plus it sounds like liver

harryetta · 22/05/2025 07:20

Love it. I know two boy Rivers.

CaptainMyCaptain · 22/05/2025 07:21

I know someone has a River for a grand daughter but I think it's OK for a boy or girl. There's a male River in the Slow Horses series.

WeAreNotOutnumbered · 22/05/2025 07:21

I am 52 and I love River. River Alexander is lovely.

Your family will get used to it. You need to choose the name you love.

Calliopespa · 22/05/2025 07:22

Yes River will forever be River Phoenix to me.

If I’m honest I prefer Alexander which is such a winner from so many perspectives that I’d consider it a shame to pass it by if you like it.

Why not Alexander on bc then a Nn?

abracadabra1980 · 22/05/2025 07:22

Think of him walking into a meeting and shaking hands with the room as an adult "hi I'm RIVER"-it's just a no from me. Most kids and especially boys want to fit in - River may be fine in the States (and even there it was a one off from hippy parents), so think carefully...

justkeepswimingswiming · 22/05/2025 07:23

No, it’s to kiddy it’s not a grown up name.

Firsttimebabymummy · 22/05/2025 07:24

Alexander is my favourite boys name so I'd definitely use that. I'd go

Alexander River

Moreteaandchocolate · 22/05/2025 07:24

Sorry, I’m not keen on River, but names usually grow on me when I know someone with the name. Alexander is lovely.

Olika · 22/05/2025 07:24

I have always liked River. I think River Alexander would be great.

Original poster
heffalumpwoozle · 22/05/2025 07:25

abracadabra1980 · 22/05/2025 07:22

Think of him walking into a meeting and shaking hands with the room as an adult "hi I'm RIVER"-it's just a no from me. Most kids and especially boys want to fit in - River may be fine in the States (and even there it was a one off from hippy parents), so think carefully...

This is exactly the kind of reaction I know my family will have which is what's putting me off.

Truthfully I don't really understand why it would be a problem, people have all sorts of names and not everyone is called Chris or Ben (or Alexander!), but I know some people think like this (and it is something that's factoring in - I'm not ignoring it completely)

OP posts:
Original poster
heffalumpwoozle · 22/05/2025 07:26

Firsttimebabymummy · 22/05/2025 07:24

Alexander is my favourite boys name so I'd definitely use that. I'd go

Alexander River

We did wonder about Alexander River but wondered if the double R is a bit of a mouthful?

OP posts:
Moreteaandchocolate · 22/05/2025 07:26

abracadabra1980 · 22/05/2025 07:22

Think of him walking into a meeting and shaking hands with the room as an adult "hi I'm RIVER"-it's just a no from me. Most kids and especially boys want to fit in - River may be fine in the States (and even there it was a one off from hippy parents), so think carefully...

Yes this is always what I imagine with names too.

Calliopespa · 22/05/2025 07:26

narcASD · 22/05/2025 07:20

Nope, Alexander is much nicer, River is a bit wet and he may not be arty and creative and will likely hate his name as he gets into teenage years. Plus it sounds like liver

This is sort of what I was feeling.

I don’t dislike River but there are definitely personality types/ career paths it wouldn’t really suit. I feel as though it’s a slight imposition, whereas Alexander is very versatile: Alexander, Xander, Lex, Alex.

Ddakji · 22/05/2025 07:27

I think River is fine and I wouldn’t worry about the whole walking into a meeting issue - kids these days are used to loads of different kinds of names and don’t have the same reactions that we might. The young things coming through our company have names all over the show - no one cares.

And his generation will have no idea who River Phoenix is.

Its a lovely name.

Steamy737 · 22/05/2025 07:28

I always think a name should sound OK whether the child grows up to be a lawyer or work on a building site. I think River fails both of these tests. Your DS won’t thank you for it in later life.

Divebar2021 · 22/05/2025 07:30

Names are changing OP… we live in a world of Jayden’s, Kits, Fox’s now. If you give him
a traditional middle name ( like Alexander) he can use that later in life if he chooses. My uncle for some reason chose to use his middle name rather than his given name of Robin.

Original poster
heffalumpwoozle · 22/05/2025 07:31

Steamy737 · 22/05/2025 07:28

I always think a name should sound OK whether the child grows up to be a lawyer or work on a building site. I think River fails both of these tests. Your DS won’t thank you for it in later life.

Why do you think it fails though? (Genuinely interested)

Do you think someone couldn't be a successful lawyer or a construction worker because their name isn't boring enough?

I obviously want them to be able to do/ be whatever they want in life - I just don't know if I agree that a name is quite so limiting as some people think it is?

OP posts:
Calliopespa · 22/05/2025 07:31

I’d worry less about your family’s reaction because a) you can just ask them and b) they will probably get used to it anyway.

For me I’d think more about wider ( and long term) suitability.

To me it’s a bit of a parental statement rather than a versatile name. As I say, I don’t hate it but I feel as though it kind of puts him in a box a bit.

I don’t think Alexander River sounds bad - and if he grows up to be a naturalist or actor he might use his middle name.

DustyLee123 · 22/05/2025 07:32

I prefer Alexander, and it has lots of nicknames you can use. I think River will get old very quickly.

Mischance · 22/05/2025 07:32

Divebar2021 · 22/05/2025 07:19

River Alexander it is then… I like it. I’m old enough to remember River Phoenix ( who was absolutely gorgeous I might add). I think family will get used to it pretty quickly.

Beware miffle names beginning with a vowel. The OPs surname might be Taylor!

Mischance · 22/05/2025 07:33

Middle... not miffle!

Calliopespa · 22/05/2025 07:34

Mischance · 22/05/2025 07:32

Beware miffle names beginning with a vowel. The OPs surname might be Taylor!

Show quote history

Or Grant. Or Morgan.

fivetriangulartrees · 22/05/2025 07:39

River was a hippy name when I was a kid, but there isn't that fashion for hippy names any more, so I don't think it will necessarily sound like that to your child's generation. I don't think it will get old - it"s already old, it's just not dated because there aren't loads of them.

It's a solid two-syllable name that any adult should be able to spell. I like it.

(Besides, if you were a lawyer or builder, it would probably be quite handy not to have the same name as everyone else, if you want your services to stand out and be found...)