Baby Names - Monroe,LA

Updated on August 24, 2010
T.W. asks from Monroe, LA
26 answers

I have 2 beautiful boys, Jacob and Kyle. Since having them, I have had 2 miscarriages that were devastating. I am now pregnant again, and we just found out that we are having another boy! It was a shock to us because the doctor had led us to believe that we were having a girl. THerefore, we had a girl name picked out. Now that we know that we are having a beautiful little boy, we are having the name dillema. We are at a loss this time on what to name him. My mother and my boys want to name him Rivers (it's a family name). My husband is not sold on it. I'm not sure either. We do like Caleb also. My husband's friend told him that if we named out child Rivers, he would get beat up at school. What do you all think? Any recommendations or suggestions? We are just happy to know that he is healthy after having had 2 miscarriages!

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So What Happened?

WEll, right now, his name is Caleb Rivers. I don't think that we will come up with anything else that will be better. I work at an elementary school, so lots of names are associated with past students! I have never taught a Caleb or Rivers. My family is not crazy about Caleb for some reason. I like it and so does my husband. That is what matters most. Thank you all for your input. I definitely read them all and listened to what you said.

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M.M.

answers from Jacksonville on

I like the idea of using it as a middle name.
That way if the other two boys want ot use it they can and he can still be called Caleb in school.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.J.

answers from Birmingham on

We love the names John, Phillip, Andrew, Hunter, Spencer, Blake.... If we had another boy - John would probably win out. Those names sound masculine and strong to me. In my opinion, Rivers isn't bad - just a little out of the ordinary. Congratulations!

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K.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Congratulations! What about a compromise? I'm not fond of Rivers, but you could do a different water-based name like Brooks, Wake, etc. Or you could find a name that the meaning is river? I also have Jacob so I LOVE that name! LOL!

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K.T.

answers from Minneapolis on

I agree, Rivers would be better as a middle name. A name really does matter throughout a person's life [think about future jobs and employers who will be looking at his applications before having the chance to meet him], and I think it's unfortunately very likely he would be judged with the first name Rivers. Caleb Rivers sounds nice!

2 moms found this helpful
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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Name him what you and Hubby want.
If you and Hubby are not excited about the name "Rivers", then don't use it.
You don't have to name your child, according to what others want.
Choose a name that you and Hubby will be pleased with... and since this is a pregnancy that is special, considering your previous miscarriages.

Caleb is nice.

Go with your and Hubby's heart and choice for a name... that will mean something special for both of you, that you name your son, yourselves.

All the best,
Susan

1 mom found this helpful
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D.D.

answers from Denver on

I agree with Cricket. If your husband isn't thumbs up on Rivers, then use it as a middle name. I like the idea of using family names, but there is a bit of a concern when it is something that other children can make fun of. Seems to me that unusual names (I have one myself!) often are problematic for children, and for some adults. Leave the Apples and Cocos and Maddoxs to the ridiculous celebrities.

1 mom found this helpful

L.A.

answers from Austin on

When we were pregnant, we did not discuss baby names with anyone but ourselves.. Never gave a hint except when my husband suggest Isla (Island).. Just to freak out his family... For us it just made it easier...

I love the idea of Caleb Rivers, sounds like an actor or a great President..

1 mom found this helpful
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S.B.

answers from Kansas City on

I agree. I dont know your last name, but Caleb Rivers sounds nice.

1 mom found this helpful

K.I.

answers from Spokane on

I think Rivers is awesome!
Picking names was terribly hard for me... I feel ya. I agree with the other ladies...Caleb Rivers sounds cool....I knew 3 brothers in HS that had the coolest names....Shaben, Teague and Caleb....what about Luke Rivers?

Just wanted to say "congrats" on the 3 boys! That's what I wanted! You figure one will always come up with something fun for them to do! I am so Jell-O...I am Lime green Jell-O!

1 mom found this helpful

C.C.

answers from Dallas on

Why not use Rivers as a middlie name?

1 mom found this helpful
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L.

answers from Mobile on

Name him Caleb if you and hubby like that! I like both, but it is your decision, not theirs. Caleb Rivers does sound good, though. Sheesh, in any case, I hope you'll not be sending the poor lad to a school where they thump kids who aren't named "Bob" anyway!

Congrats on the pregnancy.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.O.

answers from Tulsa on

Caleb Rivers sounds nice! I like unique names. Congrats! : )

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P.K.

answers from Shreveport on

I think the name Rivers is an awesome name! Either way, your friend is totally off base about your kid getting beat up in school--first of all, I don't live in Bossier anymore, but River sounds like a good southern name. If you actually go to a metropolitan city, names that are unique are the "norm" so I wouldn't worry about the future and employers . I named my kid Steele 6 years ago and I got a ton of grief beforehand from a select few people who said the same thing. Of course, now, I almost always get, wow that's a really cool name, or I love that name--sometimes I get--hmmm, is that a family name (which I automatically know they hate it when they ask that) ;-) I love it, he loves it....and most people we know love it--of course we live in Chicago and people tend to be a little less "judgmental". To be fair, because I got so much grief from those few people, I did give cave and gave him a different more "normal" first name (just in case he wanted to fall back on it). Personally, I hate his normal first name---and have never once used it....but it's there, should he choose to try to become President one day.

I say go for it---of course, I love different names and I think it's a strong, handsome sounding first name--but YOU have to love it--and not be doing it for anyone but yourself. If you really love Caleb, and also want to incorporate Rivers--I agree with other posters, that would be a great combination. Just do what rings true to your ears ;-). And CONGRATS on your new little guy!

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A.W.

answers from Mobile on

Caleb Rivers...great name!

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C.C.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I work for a school and I see many names. I don't see kids getting beat up over their names and there are a lot of different names these days and some common names with different spelling so don't let that stop you. Not everyone wants to be "common" anyway. I know 2 boys whose first names are Turner.
I do think that you and your husband should agree. We went through all this with my 2 boys. I liked some not so common names (Corbin, Garrett) but my hubby liked a little more common but not overused (Derek, Damon). Don't worry about everyone else. Congratulations on your new family member.

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M.L.

answers from New York on

I like Jace, Carter, Caiden

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J.K.

answers from Mansfield on

babynamesworld.parentsconnect.com is a great site. You can search by meaning, gender, first letter, etc. Seems you go with common and popular names for your boys so you can even look at poplarity rating of names recently, etc. It is a fun site and very easy to use. Your husbands friend might be right about the getting beat up thing but maybe not. Kids can always find some reason or way to be mean and cruel no matter what name, personality, etc if they really want to. I guess I was luck as my childrens names just came to me (they named themselves while I was pregnant LOL). I actually believe that God led me to name each child as I did because after researching the meanings or their names (just last year when a bible study got my interest in name meanings) I realized that their names really fit and I didn't know what they meant so I didn't shape them into their names (as some believe you can do).
Hope this helps :) Have fun deciding a name.

Updated

babynamesworld.parentsconnect.com is a great site. You can search by meaning, gender, first letter, etc. Seems you go with common and popular names for your boys so you can even look at poplarity rating of names recently, etc. It is a fun site and very easy to use. Your husbands friend might be right about the getting beat up thing but maybe not. Kids can always find some reason or way to be mean and cruel no matter what name, personality, etc if they really want to. I guess I was luck as my childrens names just came to me (they named themselves while I was pregnant LOL). I actually believe that God led me to name each child as I did because after researching the meanings or their names (just last year when a bible study got my interest in name meanings) I realized that their names really fit and I didn't know what they meant so I didn't shape them into their names (as some believe you can do).
Hope this helps :) Have fun deciding a name.

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L.M.

answers from Jackson on

Just happy to hear that you are expecting again and hope you are doing well.

K.H.

answers from Tulsa on

I LOVE the name Caleb! Also Colby. I just had a little girl, Addyson - she would have been Colby if she was a boy and Caleb was a close second. Let us know what you decide!

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S.D.

answers from Birmingham on

Hello,
I love the name River, and it is unique. River was a name we considered for my son but decided on Ridge. The name Rivers (plural) is not as easy to say as River, but I understand this is a family name and personal to you. I feel children are predispositioned to see others based on their behavior and not their name. We have Kelsey (male and female), Bailey (male and female) and others that are male and female names in out town. I would not be afaid to name my child River or Rivers. Times have changed and there are a variety of names today, just think about it. Rivers are a natual resource and provide food, transportation and energy. The more they grow, the more powerful and helpful to mankind they become. I think it is an awesome name. Congrats on your pregnancy and good luck in the future. Best Regards..

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M.C.

answers from Washington DC on

What about going with just River? No s. (i.e. River Pheonix)
Then the kids would feel special for helping name the baby.

If you want to get quirky about it, you could go with an 'L' name like Lewis, or Logan. That way your kids will be 'J', 'K', and 'L'. (the alphabet order).

I know cheesy, but fun!
M.

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S.T.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I always go the SSA and look at the top 1000 names for the last year or decade to get ideas. (you will be surprised by some of them) and see if you can get any other ideas.
I think River is better than Rivers but i don't think he would get beat up, he will fit right in most of the other names people are using now...

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S.G.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Congratulations on the baby boy! I like Rivers, but Caleb matches your other boys better. If you spell Caleb with a K, (Kaleb) he would have the first & last part of the other two boys' names. The boys would love that and I don't think family would be upset because he would be named to match the boys. You could always use Rivers as the middle name.

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K.N.

answers from Houston on

What about picking a name that is totally different from then debate.

Surprise the family, you and your husband are the parents, stop asking family members to help you. pick a name that you like. Family names are great if you like them, but you as a mom with be calling for this child for many years to come, not your Mother.

You can go on line and search Baby boy names and there is a list of the top 20 names for today.

Good luck, what ever you call him, he will be a blessing.

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A.C.

answers from Cincinnati on

I LOVE the name Caleb. I think if you're going to use the name Rivers, you should do it as a middle name, like was suggested below. I don't know how long you have until your third son will be born, but I would pull out the old Baby Names book and flip through it. My husband and I had two names we settled on, and we didn't decide what to name our son until he came out and we could look at him and see what fit. We knew instantly which name fit him. I don't think you have to make an instant solution, but don't use anything you don't love - the name should only get more beautiful to your ears as time goes on. Good luck.

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T.S.

answers from Montgomery on

First off Congratulations! If Rivers is a family name make it a middle name like Caleb Rivers W... You do have to be careful about first names and kids being teased so I think the others are right. In the job I have I see lots of names and I sometimes think to myself how could a parent have named their child that and I feel like the parent was being really selfish at the time. You would be surprised at some of the names out there

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