River

[heffalumpwoozle]

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.

Oh one of my early crushes (Lol looking back) was Avon (Paul Darrow) of Blake's Seven.
Blake is a nice name.

I gather there are no Dr. Who fans on the thread?
River Song -- strong female character.

I wouldn't choose it, but I think it's fine. There are so many different names out there now that I don't think anyone would think twice about a lawyer or a builder called River. I know one - female. She's very intelligent and a talented footballer, so I don't necessarily have negative connotations.

I did chuckle at PP's comment that River sounds a bit wet. Well, yes, I guess that's quite literally true!

I like River a lot.

I love the name Alexander.

Personally, I really don’t like River at all, especially for a boy.

I’d go with Alexander River.

Immediately thought of this as this is the only River I know.
I like the name for a girl/woman, I think it's pretty and hippy-ish but not too out there.
I think it's a very feminine name and I can't imagine a man called River. I think people will either expect him to be a hippy type or will ask if his parents were hippies.

We know 4 boys called River. It's been in the top 150 names for boys and girls for 4 years now, definitely won't be thought of as unusual or uncommon in their generation.

It seems a bit too naturey and a tad downmarket. I don't think it will stand out though. It seems to be like Brooke, Craig etc.

The main thing is that OP and OP's DH love it.

I quite like River.

I like Alexander too, but generally prefer shorter names.

It's a bit too 'celebrity parents' for my liking but if you like it, go for it.

As long your surname isn't Thames, Nile or Danube...

I love River.

River Alexander is a great name.

Congratulations btw

I think River is a lovely name.
Your baby, your choice. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. If you and your OH like it then that's all that matters.

I think of it as a hippy name really, it might suit your son or might not. I think it's one of those names that suits a child if you know their character but a bit risky if you don't! You could use it as a middle name and adopt it if it suits later on?

Honestly, a bit wet, IMO.

For me it says 1980sish hippyish parents in the US.

Rivers are very wet, unless there is a drought.

Good name, growing in popularity. Looking at dark greener there are 400 or so boy Rivers born at the moment each year in England and Wales (and about 400 or so girls).

Adore it.

I agree that River doesn't really sound like a grown man's name (possibly because I've never met a man called River). However, I think River Alexander sounds better than Alexander River (because it makes it sound like the name of a river). There's no reason why he can't use his middle name when he's older if he wants, and there will be grown men called River by then! I've typed River too many times now though and it no longer looks like a real word! 🙈😂

The no lawyers called river thing is an age thing and people being out of touch

I can't picture a baby named paul, because I'm not that generation so think of paul is a parent name, my childrens generation would probably call their kids it though because its their equivilant of a grandparent name (I'm sure my parents would have thought the same about their parents names of ivy, Edith, Nora etc)

There will be plenty of lawyers, Dr's and brickies called Evie, poppy Jaxon, kai, Teddy and River before long. Simply because this generation will grow into adults and the kids names will become adult names

River has hovered near the top 100 for a long time and isn't at all noteworthy among their peers (who presumably they will be practising law with!)

I much prefer Alexander X

@TaterTots68 , we say 'the River Thames', the River Severn', 'the River Clyde', 'the River Shannon' etc.

I love slow horses but many people might think it's come from there.
I do think it's potentially problematic as he grows up but I have an AlexAnder so maybe biased

"What's River like?"

"He's full of shit."

You have to cover all potential scenarios😛

I know a few male River’s - most under 3.
I dont think names that our parents generation considered out there are going to be seen the same by future generations. It’s lovely. Go for it.