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Baby names

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Original poster

Rafe or Ralph?

36 replies

Cami12 · 05/08/2016 00:43

Which boys name do you prefer, Rafe or Ralph? I would pronounce L in Ralph, so they are quite different names.
Rafe seems like a slightly more modern and cool name, but I like that it's still an old name.
However Ralph is an old school classic to me and I really love Ralphie for a toddlerSmile.
Any opinions?

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Bear2014 · 07/08/2016 14:22

Love Ralph. It's my Grandad's name so would definitely consider it if we ever have a DS

CancellyMcChequeface · 06/08/2016 23:57

Rafe, but only because I heard people using 'ralph' as slang for 'vomit' and it ruined the name for me.

Raphael is also nice!

Seekingmiracles · 06/08/2016 16:28

In my mind they're so different,
Ralph is cutesy but Rafe is strong and cool.
Depends what you're aiming for.

user7755 · 06/08/2016 08:34

Having read some of the replies on here, I personally wouldn't go for Ralph either, but it's still way way better than Rafe.

Ipanema01 · 06/08/2016 08:20

Isn't it Ralph that is used for penis...?

user7755 · 06/08/2016 08:07

Ralph!

Rafe is awful, unless you are the landed gentry.

Satishouse · 06/08/2016 08:05

We have a six year old Ralph, but he is known as Ralphie.

ThoraGruntwhistle · 06/08/2016 08:03

Rafe is okay but a bit pretentious and I wouldn't personally use a name that will forever be a penis euphemism. Also I think it means vomit in US slang.

EDisFunny · 06/08/2016 07:56

I don't like Rafe, it has always sounded pretentious to me (and pronouncing Ralph like Rafe is like pronouncing Target as Tar-jay).

I think Ralph (pronounced Ralf) is a fine name.

Raines100 · 06/08/2016 07:38

Love Rafe.
Ralph is godawful.

rollonthesummer · 05/08/2016 22:25

Spelt Ralph but pronounced Rafe.

SeashellHoarder · 05/08/2016 22:22

Love Ralph, and I would totally use it for this DC on the way, but it's a girl.

ThePug · 05/08/2016 21:54

I have a 5 month old called Ralph (pronounced Ralf) so clearly we love it Smile . I heard all the Judy Blume & Simpsons comments but I'd never heard of the book (am 31 so must have just missed it) and don't watch the Simpsons. I prefer it to Rafe as it's more classic and has better nickname potential (aka Ralphie!) I hope it's not going to get really popular all of a sudden though!

CuppaTeaAndAJammieDodger · 05/08/2016 19:31

Ralph always reminds me of Judy Blume - Forever as the male protagonist called his penis Ralph! So I'd go for Rafe :)

lastqueenofscotland · 05/08/2016 19:24

I adore rafe I know two (one in their teens the other in their fifties) both lovely people

mistletoe1 · 05/08/2016 18:11

I love Ralph (pronounced Ralf) but it's my Dad's name, so perhaps i'm biased. I also like Rafe!

CodyKing · 05/08/2016 11:04

Rafe is a kids book about middle schools - he's a bit of an odd ball /loser character - in a very funny way

I know 2 Raphael's under 10 both are Rafe - one is odd and gets called riff-Raff -

Just a thought!

ovosmexidos · 05/08/2016 11:00

I never knew people pronounce Ralph as Rafe. How strange.

The name Ralph strongly reminds me of Ralph Wiggum from the Simpsons. In other words, it's horrible.

roseteapot101 · 05/08/2016 10:52

i think Ralph is sweet but rafe sounds too much like wraith or wrath which makes it feel very strange

ShowOfHands · 05/08/2016 10:43

I have a Raphael who is Rafe or Rafa. It's getting popular. I know of 3 others under 2.

squoosh · 05/08/2016 10:39

Rafe

Sophronia · 05/08/2016 09:08

Ralph

YumYumThePig · 05/08/2016 08:49

Ralph

WellErrr · 05/08/2016 08:38

I'd pronounce Ralph Rafe, so I'd do it that way.

Nice name.

Tuiles · 05/08/2016 08:32

I thought Rafe was spelt Raife - I prefer it that way, looks more 'finished'

I would pronounce the 'l' in Ralph. Very affected not to.

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