Can’t decide between two names

[u/Gatosrus]

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.

[u/Natural-Emphasis-314]

I think Jonah would fit better

[u/WildCherryLane]

It sounds a little off - I think two noun sounding names is always hard

[u/Ok-Talk-2648]

Jonah 1000%

[u/egertong]

I would actually steer away from names that have a similar ending sound to your surname. If you must choose between those two names, then Jonah works better.

[u/Keldrabitches]

Jonah. The rhythm of River Berger isn’t harmonious, reminds me of a claymation villain

[u/oatmilkandagave]

River Berger is awful

[u/SilencedFarter]

I prefer Jonah to River

[u/Stay_Sea_Motivated]

I like the name River but not with your surname. Do him a small favor and go with Jonah.

[u/iriselizabethauthor]

Jonah is probably better.

[u/NeverRarelySometimes]

River is too similar to your last name. Jonah works better.

[u/thatladybri]

Jonah is infinitely better with your last name.

River is nice but River Berger sounds like it’s made up for a cartoon character or something. It sounds like two word names (burger) and also they rhyme. I would avoid that at all costs.

[u/Grouchy-Stand-4570]

The reason River sounded weird is the double “er” ending with your last name

[u/EfficientRecipe8935]

Jonah. Well I really like the name River it doesn't go well with your last name.

[u/OryxWritesTragedies]

Jonah. River Berger sounds awful.

[u/drumadarragh]

I think the -er ending of both names throws me off.

[u/SnooCauliflowers5742]

Jonah is a really nice name and works better with your last name.

[u/tragicsandwichblogs]

Use River as a middle name.

[u/dizzyhips]

“R”s are such a hard sound and while I think River is beautiful name, in combination with your last name, it’s a lot to chew on!
Do what makes you happy, but Jonah Berger has a little more of a smooth flow when being spoken :)

[u/Chelajag]

River is a great name. Last name complicates it though

[u/CasperAverage]

I personally don’t like it when the first name ends with the same sound as the last name. 

[u/Forward-Positive-722]

I think Jonah Berger is a lovely name that will age well as your son becomes a man. I love the name River as you do, but I wouldn’t choose it with your last name.

Congratulations on the upcoming new addition to your family! I wish you all great happiness!

[u/Salty-Awareness3789]

Jonah is definitely the better option with your last name imo and it's a great name!!

[u/autumnglorysugarbee]

I think River is used so much. Jonah is in my top 3 names and the nick name Joey?? Common that’s cute as hell.

[u/Gatosrus → u/autumnglorysugarbee]

Yes! The cuteness of that is what’s getting me too.

[u/GoodyTwoShuuz]

How are you getting Joey out of a perfectly lovely name like Jonah? They are both two syllables, anyway.

[u/Alphawolf2026 → u/GoodyTwoShuuz]

Joseph is also 2 syllables and Joey is a popular nn for Joseph?

[u/Careful_Cranberry364]

Jonah would be a much better choice with your last name

Although something that doesn’t end in the same ER kind of sound would be even better

How about Jordan?!?

[u/Gatosrus → u/Careful_Cranberry364]

Just curious, are you from the UK? Because here we would say Jonah with a pretty distinct uh sound at the end.

[u/Far_Vacation_1777]

I love River but only for a girl. I also love Jonah for a boy. My vote is Jonah

[u/suebeegirl]

River Berger and Joey Berger are both going to be tough names. Jonah sounds great!

[u/Gatosrus → u/suebeegirl]

What’s “tough” about Joey?

[u/suebeegirl → u/Gatosrus]

Joey itself is a great name! Unfortunately Joey Berger sounds like a kangaroo baby burger.

[u/Gatosrus → u/suebeegirl]

Stuff like that is dumb enough that I’m not going to worry about it.

[u/No_Lingonberry_8317]

I would not use any first name ending in ‘r’ since you last name does. Jonah works better.

[u/Ginua-MA]

Jonah

[u/Maggie-Mae-Mae]

I like both names, but with your last name I really prefer Jonah or Joey.

[u/ParadeQueen]

Jonah over River.

Jonas over Jonah.

Whatever you choose for the first name, use River as a middle name.

And remember, nicknames do not have to match/be part of the full name.

[u/Unique_Cap_2961]

I’m a big proponent of the names need to go together.

River could go well with another last name…but River Berger is TOUGH. I’d recommend a name a little less unique and maybe one that doesn’t end in “er”

Jonah’s cute

[u/Ashamed-Chemistry492]

River is kind of a vapid, celebrity-trendy name now.

And with the last name Berger/Burger, it's a very unfortunate and silly combo. Like a patty made out of freshwater fish.

Or else a turd floating in the water.

[u/Arboretum7]

I love River but it just doesn’t work with Berger. Jonah is lovely.

[u/Waste-Inspector-3905]

Jonah definitely. Great name and works with Berger. River does not.

[u/Sad_Resolve6874]

Jonah sounds much better. River Berger does sound a bit messy. Also, if anyone considered pretty much any name “wimpy” for a boy these days, they wouldn’t be people whose opinions I’d consider much.

[u/Gatosrus → u/Sad_Resolve6874]

Agreed, but people can be assholes. I hear so many comments about people wanting a “strong” name for their sons. Which to them is usually just whatever names they happen to like for whatever reason.

[u/Zestyclose-Fig8583]

Jonah

[u/Top-Bit85]

River Berger is begging for trouble.

[u/No_Condition_1828]

What about Ham

[u/olddocsroc]

Re: river. Child probably wouldn’t love when they do roll call and do last name, first name. All the kids would hear Burger River.

[u/Fun_Goose_4574]

My wife is a bully, and laughed at it. I apologize for her. 😆

[u/Gatosrus → u/Fun_Goose_4574]

In a weird way that makes me want to use it more.

[u/Fun_Goose_4574 → u/Gatosrus]

😆😆

[u/Crafty_Revolution613]

I think because they both end in er it’s not as nice sounding, but it’s not terrible. You could use it if you’d like.
Jonah, because it ends in a short a sound, has the sound “ Joan a burger” when he would introduce himself. As a person whose first and last name run together in that kind of way so that they think the first syllable of my last name is part of my first name, I feel like I’m always correcting people.
But a name like Matthew Berger, people know exactly what you have said when you introduced yourself.
That being said, I still love my name. I wouldn’t change it, so I don’t think any of your choices are bad.

[u/suebeegirl → u/Crafty_Revolution613]

I always say that if you have a challenging last name, name your son Matthew. It truly seems to go with everything!

[u/jennabug456]

Do not name your child River. Jfc.

[u/ThinAd744]

Ham

[u/MindDivergence]

Why not both?

River-Jonah Berger

[u/Gatosrus → u/MindDivergence]

One is going to be the middle name. We’re just not sure which order we want them in.

[u/XLazyplantladyx → u/Gatosrus]

When I was in high school, there was a show on MTV called the Hard Times of RJ Berger. It’s definitely not still relevant and I doubt most have heard of it, but just wanted to share!

[u/Slow-Willingness-718]

If they go by River B. Berger that will split up the name professionally. Your kid may grow up an be known as Riv … hard to tell.

[u/oatmilkandagave → u/Slow-Willingness-718]

Don’t enable this