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Baby names

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Original poster

Chosen names for twins, but..

33 replies

legallyblond · 16/05/2013 14:43

.... Not sure about which is the best pronounciation for one!

We already have a DD, Matilda.

The twins are DCDA, so could be any combo, and we don't know the sexes. We have decided on:

Hugo
Ralph
Valentina
Isabel

So... Ralph. Can be "Ralf" or "Rayfe". Both valid and normal I believe. We like both! Which do you automatically think when you see the name?

Thanks

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sleepingbeautiful · 16/05/2013 22:58

You can always spell it is Ralf if you like that pronunciation. I believe that was the original Anglo spelling anyway.

JojoMags · 16/05/2013 22:43

I would pn Ralph as Ralf, but I much prefer Rafe. Rafe is a legitimate spelling so you could use that to avoid confusion.

Rafe and Isabel lovely

Original poster
legallyblond · 16/05/2013 22:42

Hmmm... Mixed bag then, in lots of ways!!!

Tbh, I don't think Ralph pronounced Ralf would ever be considered chavvy (and, frankly, we're not, so that would be dispelled pretty quickly!). I do think that Ralph pronounced Rafe verges on affection, so we would use Ralf.

I like Raphael for others,but its just not us!

I'll see how Ralph sits over the next 15 weeks!

Thanks so much

OP posts:
Tamof4 · 16/05/2013 21:23

I would say 'Rafe' but as you point out both sound great.
My twins are Matilda and Isobel. And I just love the name Hugo, but it's my brothers name so not a choice for me if I have a boy this time!

picnicbasketcase · 16/05/2013 21:04

I would assume it was pronounced Ralf and my mind immediately leaps to the penis in Forever too. Your other name choices are lovely.

DonDrapersAltrEgoBigglesDraper · 16/05/2013 21:03

If I saw Ralph, I wouldn't know whether it was pronounced Ralf or Rafe. Pronounce it the 1st way when it's the 2nd and you sound ignorant. Pronounce it the 2nd way when it's the 1st and you sound affected. Grin

I prefer Rafe out of all of them, since yes, Ralph/Ralf is a euphemism for vomit here too (in New Zealand, so am assuming it's a fairly widely known term...!).

I really like Rafe - it is an old, accepted spelling. There is a character in Wolf Hall called Rafe.

Love all the other names as well

LynetteScavo · 16/05/2013 20:58

Ralph is Ralf.

I know of a very, um...how do I say this nicely....not posh tiny Rafe.

Hugo is lovely, Ralf is lovely Valentina is a bit fancy (buy you would tell me I could talk if you knew my DD's name) Isabel (Although I never know how to spell it!)

If I had boy twins tomorrow they would be Hugo and Edward. But Hugo and Ralph would be cool.

Good luck! x

ItsallisnowaFeegle · 16/05/2013 20:51

I automatically think Rafe. I also prefer it to Ralf.

mikkii · 16/05/2013 20:42

I have a Valentino, DD2 would have been Francisco Raphael if she had been a boy. Great names.

PiratePanda · 16/05/2013 20:40

Ralph is probably best avoided if you want to avoid a lifetime of judging one way or another re pretentious/chavvy. Raphael much more straightforward, and could even be Ralf for short...

bananaramma · 16/05/2013 20:37

Isabel and Ralph are lovely - classic and underused. I'd probably say Ralf but would be happy pronouncing it Rafe if preferred.

dementedma · 16/05/2013 20:25

My nephew is Ralph - pronounced Ralf.
Rafe is a bit poncey and a middle class affectation IMO.

attilascupcakes · 16/05/2013 20:06

Oh god Catlike, me too!

Either is valid. I would think Ralf straight off, but having been introduced as Rafe he would become that, if that makes sense.

LaVitaBellissima · 16/05/2013 19:52

Grin Catlike

thegreylady · 16/05/2013 19:39

I only know one little Ralph [rather posh] and he is Ralf.

Catlike · 16/05/2013 19:19

Ralph is another word to say vomit where I grew up

Same here! and it always makes me think of the nickname the boyfriend in Forever by Judy Blume had for his penis

FattyMcChubster · 16/05/2013 18:28

Cousin is rafe and pronounced 'rayfe'.
I always read Ralph 'ralf'.
Prefer rafe.

kelda · 16/05/2013 18:20

I would go for Rafael too.

DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 16/05/2013 18:16

The actor Ralph Fiennes I believe pronounces his first name "Rafe".

Until I heard that, I'd always presumed it was "Ralf".

Great names, for a boy and girl I'd pair them

Hugo and Valentina, and Ralph and Isabel.

Original poster
legallyblond · 16/05/2013 15:54

Decoy - I agree! Just checking as I (fairly posh actually - boarding school etc!) just think Ralf when I see the name.. although I know it can be Rafe. I worry Ralph pronounced Rafe is a bit affected! I like Ralf, so that that's fine!

OP posts:
Decoy · 16/05/2013 15:19

I think Ralph is best pronounced Ralf. I don't like this thing of names where you only know the "correct" pronounciation if you're posh enough. Just spell it like it is Grin

humblebumble · 16/05/2013 15:14

I know a Raphael that is shortened to Raffe which is quite nice too.

Pairings

Raphael and Valentina

Raphael and Isobel

LemonPeculiarJones · 16/05/2013 15:11

Sorry, Isabel!

LemonPeculiarJones · 16/05/2013 15:11

And in terms of the pairings (if its DD/DS) I think:

Hugo and Valentina

Rafe and Isobel

bunnymother · 16/05/2013 15:10

I also think Ralph is Ralf.

All your names are lovely, btw, and I like how they don't "match" eg no Holly & Ivy. I have ID twin girls and their names don't "match", which is apparently quite important in the psychology of parenting twins, but not such a concern unless you have same sex twins. Apologies for the diversion in topic...