Can’t decide between two names

[chriss232]

I really love the name River but can’t tell if it sounds overly strange with our last name (Berger) like low hanging fruit for bullying or jokes. Also not sure if most people think of it as a “normal” name nowadays or if it’s a name that would make people roll their eyes or consider wimpy for a boy?

I also really like the name Jonah. And could potentially want to use the nickname Joey.

Trying to avoid name regret but now I feel like I’m just obsessing and getting nowhere.

Depending on how you pronounce Berger both of those names could end up rhyming with it and I always find rhyming first and surnames sound a bit odd

River berger does not sound good. Why not Joseph, shortened to joey.

I have a Reuben and a Noah and had I had another boy he would have been Jonah!

I love the name

I would say River is very normal these days, i know several under 10 (both genders).

Jonah less well used and cute. I love Joey.

I prefer Jonah but both work.

I can’t for the life of me work out how either name would rhyme with Berger per the previous poster (how could it be pronounced Biver or Bonah?)

No to River Berger, just no.

I really like the name River, but I'm afraid I don't like it with your surname. Is it pronounced like burger? Maybe as a middle name then he can choose if he prefers to use it.

Jonah's better but appropos the prevous poster: Jonah the Bonah.

I like the name River a lot. It doesn’t quite sound right with Berger but not in a tease-able way - just that the ‘er’ sound at the end of both is a bit repetitive. Never mind if you absolutely love it?

River Berger sounds like having a McDonald's on a canal boat. Imagine Rosie and Jim tucking into a big mac while Fizzgog steers the boat....

Jonah is a lovely name, I would definitely go with that one.

Not River, please don't.

Because rhymes work on the last stressed syllable not the first. RivER BergER or JonAH BergAH depending on how you pronounce Berger.

River Berger made me laugh out loud

I much prefer River but sorry, not with your surname. I’m not a fan of Jonah but it goes better with your surname so if you like it then that’s the better choice.

Jonah Berger sounds better

Both sound terrible with Berger because of the uh sound at the end

Sadly Op I think this is post on.

You need a very carefully chosen name with Berger. Because Burger is so very often a two word phrase, even things like Charles Berger will easily trick the ear into hearing Cheeseburger - and you certainly cannot do Hans Berger.

I also think B names will sound amusing, like Ben Burger or Bob Berger.

Oh and Mac is best avoided.

I think it is because it sounds like a type of iceberg.

River Berger sounds like a posh addition to a McDonalds menu.

Then again the Jonah Berger sounds like a whale-sized Fillet O' Fish.

River Berger makes me think fatburg(sp?) Sorry. O agree with pps who say Jonah burger is sing song sorry again.
Maybe
Joel or Joseph would be better

I was assuming Berger was with a ‘j’ sound, like John Berger?

I personally think both are nice!

It will need to be something that doesn't end in "uh", start with B or sound like a type of burger or mountain.

Not dealing with girls' names right now, but you might as well write off Etta Berger!

That would help ...

agree. Love river but not with Berger. Go for anything else!

River Burger sounds like something you'd order for lunch on a boat.... how about Ralph, or Rhys? Joseph or just Joey?