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I noticed today that the [name]X[/name] was mentioned as mainstream in the Nameberry article on unusual nature names. That certainly doesn’t seem true here [name][/name]!
[name]Do[/name] any of you get similar reactions to your child’s not-that-unusual name?
My name and those of my kids are common in certain contexts and very unusual in others, so i’ve gotten the full range of reactions! people tend to be befuddled in a positive way though - like, they’ve never heard it before and think its super-exotic, as opposed to finding it ugly or just weird.
I think it depends on where you live but in general “weird” names are less weird than when we were younger.
Maybe people have a strange reaction because of the popularity of [name]River[/name] as a male name or maybe they just don’t have the social graces to hide the fact that they dislike the name! Either way, it has meaning to you, fits your style- you love it? That’s all that matters right now!
I think they’re reacting oddly because ‘river’ is a word they’re used to hearing in a nature context and not as a name. If you’ve never heard it as a name in your life it’s going to sound as bizarre as naming a child ‘hedge’.
The above, and it’s still rather dominated by [name]River[/name] [name]Phoenix[/name], who was, of course, male.
I think you may get that reaction because people often think of [name]River[/name] as a boys names. I wouldn’t worry about it though. [name]Both[/name] of your children’s names are different but not too out there. I like them!
I agree with renrose. And, as blade, said, there’s [name]River[/name] [name]Phoenix[/name].
To me [name]River[/name] sounds completely feminine but I guess that’s because I associate it with the character [name]River[/name] played by [name]Summer[/name] Glau on Firefly. She was the first [name]River[/name] I ever saw/heard of and she was badass and gorgeous. The name has sounded feminine to me ever since even tho I know it is popular as a male name I have a hard time making that connection but maybe that’s the trouble for some of these people? I know a lot of them make the male connection first.
I usually see [name]River[/name] as a male name, but think it is nice as a female name too. I actually knew a female [name]River[/name]. A lot of people think anything is weird if it doesn’t follow the top 50.
I’m from [name]Tennessee[/name] originally, [name]North[/name] [name]Carolina[/name] now, and I get raised eyebrows and people asking to repeat it or spell out [name]Rowan[/name]'s name. It just befuddles them. People around here aren’t used to meeting kids with unique names, if you aren’t named [name]Sarah[/name] or [name]Jason[/name] you will get the occasional “What is your name??” My best friend is named [name]Kai[/name], and people ask her constantly how to spell or how to pronounce her name. She gets [name]Kia[/name], [name]Kaya[/name], [name]Kay[/name], [name]Kayla[/name], Kee, people just don’t understand. I think it’s just a general ignorance about names or how to sound out and pronounce words. [name]Every[/name] single time we go out we have at least one older lady come up and start talking to [name]Rowan[/name] and being sweet to her, and they ask what her name is and every time they say “Huh? [name]Ro[/name]…[name]Anne[/name]?” It’s annoying, but we live with it.
I love the name [name]River[/name] on both a boy and a girl equally. I don’t think you should worry about those people’s reactions, your daughter has a beautiful name! I think it just depends on the person, some people are really close minded about names.
My first thought is [name]River[/name] from Firefly as well, but I see [name]River[/name] as being gender-neutral. When I was a kid, I got people telling me [name]Alex[/name] was a boy’s name or trying to call me [name]Alice[/name], which really surprised my mom. It’s annoying if you’re having issues with it frequently, but it’s her name already, and a lovely one, so don’t let it get to you.
I think it’s a great name. Yes, I think of it as masculine, but my brain doesn’t have to make a huge leap to see it on a girl. Since her full name is [name]River[/name] [name]Alise[/name], you could take the end of [name]River[/name] and the beginning of [name]Alise[/name] and get the more traditionally feminine nickname [name]Vera[/name] (meaning truth.) You could use it once in a while, or give people the option, like “Her name’s [name]River[/name]- sometimes we call her [name]Vera[/name]”
Thanks, all. I’m really happy with her name–just confused by other people. Maybe it’s wrong, but even if I hated a baby’s name, I certainly wouldn’t tell her mother that! The woman whose response really irritated me has a daughter named [name]Anya[/name], so you think she’d be more open.
My son wants to change her name to Firestar–after the Spiderman character–but I think we’ll stick with [name]River[/name]
It suits her bubbly, lively little self perfectly.
[name]River[/name] is a adorable! We are in Northern [name]California[/name] and we still get strange reactions to the name [name]Adelaide[/name] (my daughter). Mostly from the older generation. They want to call her Addalee or [name]Natalie[/name] or seem totally confused. Younger people here like it, or seem to “get” it more Now, I am from New [name]England[/name] and there is a totally different reaction to [name]Adelaide[/name] there. Older people [name]LOVE[/name] the name! They all seem to have someone they loved named [name]Adelaide[/name], etc. so I guess it all depends on region and perspective. I understand your frustration though - I felt the same way at first, but now I’m over it and just love her name.
[name]Adelaide[/name] is so sweet:)
And emmabobemma, thank you for the [name]Vera[/name] idea. So cute. I never would have thought of that.
[name]River[/name] isn’t unusual at all. O.o I know a little girl named [name]River[/name], I was so pleased when I heard her name. It’s lovely.
[name]Arlo[/name] I’d understand, but [name]River[/name]? I think the people around you have radically different tastes than you do, so for them it’s a “what?” kind of name. Perhaps like Road would be to us? I’m not sure, but rest assured [name]River[/name] isn’t that unusual and is a great choice. [name]Arlo[/name] and [name]River[/name] sound good together.
I think [name]River[/name] is lovely for a boy or girl, I also really like [name]Arlo[/name]. [name]Don[/name]'t worry about what other people think, though I can imagine it would get pretty annoying!
I agree that it’s rude to express negativity toward a child’s name. It’s different if it’s a potential name someone’s considering, but once the child is named, it’s not like you could talk them into a different name or really accomplish anything except hurt feelings.
I think it’s just a lot of people who aren’t having children or aren’t interested in names don’t really see what’s in style now, and even a lot of parents who are having children don’t really see much outside of the top 100 or so. I absolutely love [name]Violet[/name], but everyone around me thinks it’s just the most bizarre choice ever, which I don’t get. Especially since it’s top 100 in my state. I think it’s just something us name nerds have to live with, when we don’t choose the typical [name]Aiden[/name]/[name]Ava[/name]/[name]Mackenzie[/name]/[name]Braelyn[/name]/[name]Hunter[/name] choices.