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Baby names

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Original poster

What do you think of Rafe?

33 replies

AnnieDelores · 04/01/2011 18:00

What do you think of Rafe as a boy's name? It's listed on Mumsnet's Baby Name Finder.

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muminthemiddle · 03/02/2011 23:19

Love it.

mummyosaurus · 03/02/2011 15:33

I like Rafe.

I love Edward, shorted to Ted or Ned. DS would have been Edward, shorted to Ned, but it's a no no with our surname.

Secretwishescometrue · 03/02/2011 15:29

Wasnt that josh hartnet's characters name in pearl harbour? I like it :)

JojoMags · 03/02/2011 14:25

AnnieD, glad to see this thread back as I am still toying with Rafe, still can't decide, but still really like it. I also like Raffy as a nn, not that it really needs one.

For girls, my top few include Rosie, Kitty, Lucy, Harriet, Hester and Florence (haven't had a chance to use any yet Grin.

For a boy we are also considering Kester nn Kit and Robbie (obviously short for Robert). At the risk of diverting attention from your query about Rafe, what do you think?

rachel234 · 03/02/2011 13:27

I like Rafe.

The benefit of Ralph (pronounced Ralf) would be that it works in most languages, whereas Rafe wouldn't.

5DollarShake · 03/02/2011 13:14

Love Rafe, and it definitely does have credentials, being older than Ralph. There is a character called Rafe in Wolf Hall (set in Tudor times).

Ralph (pronounced either way) is not good. Grin Talking to Ralph on the big white phone?!

prattle · 03/02/2011 00:32

Stealth, how did you get your DH to agree to name DD after a relation of an ex?

stealthsquiggle · 04/01/2011 20:46

Annie it's a flower name, but I try not to declare my DC's names if I can help it.

Original poster
AnnieDelores · 04/01/2011 20:37

Chuckling at The Simpsons link!

What was the sister called stealthsquiggle?

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stealthsquiggle · 04/01/2011 20:33

My first boyfriend was a twin - he was called Reuben and his twin was Rafe. I always liked both names and gave DD the same name as their sister. There was a little one as well - Samuel, IIRC.

OldLadyKnowsNothing · 04/01/2011 20:27

Arf! Grin

LetThereBeRock · 04/01/2011 20:25

I love it.
It's far nicer than Ralph,pronounced as Ralf,imho,which I associate with vomiting,or the dim one from The Simpsons.

OldLadyKnowsNothing · 04/01/2011 20:23

Rafe as Rafe is fine, it's the pronouncing "Ralph" as Rafe which grates on my ears.

Highlandgirl · 04/01/2011 20:17

Ohhh I like how you worded that Annie...simple, masculine and crisp..!

Original poster
AnnieDelores · 04/01/2011 20:15

I don't get the posh / pretentious link?? To me Rafe sounds simple, masculine, crisp and just different enough to stand out. But I don't know anyone called Rafe so have no experience.

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Highlandgirl · 04/01/2011 20:09

I suggested Rafe but DH said it was verging on being quite pretensious..! I don't agree at all. Smile But if you like the name than I think you should go for it.

Also love Wilf...

LOVE Edward but please call him Ed and not Teddy...!

bibbitybobbityhat · 04/01/2011 19:51

Much much much prefer Ralph pronounced Ralph.

Original poster
AnnieDelores · 04/01/2011 19:50

Good choices JojoMags! I don't think Wilf and Rafe are too similar. Go for it. Wilfred could also be Freddie which is cute too ... and "up to date" with Freddie Flintoff.

What girls names do you like out of interest?

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JojoMags · 04/01/2011 19:41

Love Rafe. Was considering it for my DS 3 but I already have a Wilf. Could you have a Wilf and a Rafe or are they too similar? (my other son is Edward, so obviously adore that and Teddy is a cute nn for a baby)

OldLadyKnowsNothing · 04/01/2011 19:41

Edward gives lots of options; I think "Ted" somehow sounds very reliable.[weirdo emoticon, aimed at self]

WorldofSab · 04/01/2011 19:40

lovely name - my friend has a Rafe, short for Rafael,and he's a gorgeous 7 year old now. No pisstaking by other kids yet either Wink

avaj · 04/01/2011 19:34

I like Rafe, it's different but not daft.
I know one who is 5, and he is a nice boy!

NadiaWadia · 04/01/2011 19:22

(Rafe)

NadiaWadia · 04/01/2011 19:22

Frightfully posh.

Original poster
AnnieDelores · 04/01/2011 19:20

Good actor though... although not fanciable IMO. Too clean and skinny!

The other name DP likes is Teddy (Edward). How about that?

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