Please or to access all these features

Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Rufus, Ralph or Rupert?

57 replies

Shropitlikeitshot · 29/09/2016 22:35

Those are my three favourites if it's a boy (due Weds).

Would you mind picking your favourite of the three please?

And incase I've missed the perfect girls name, perhaps offer a name that might suit me if I like the above?

Thank you.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Optimist3 · 30/09/2016 18:41

I don't think of puke with Ralph or a dog with rufus. I do think of a bear with Rupert but that's not bad

ThoraGruntwhistle · 30/09/2016 15:58

Rufus - dog
Rupert - wet bear in trousers
Ralph - penis or vomit.

So if I had to pick one, Rufus I guess.

HardcoreLadyType · 30/09/2016 15:53

Not keen on Ralph, but the other two are lovely.

So is Wilf, actually, although I would go for Wilfred, as he could be Will, Wilf, Fred, Freddy, etc.

I love Philippa, too, even though there was a nasty Philippa at school.

W8woman · 30/09/2016 15:49

parents' social pretensions

W8woman · 30/09/2016 15:48

LOL at pipi. How long have you lived in England? Just about every name choice will provoke raised eyebrows or a smirk from some section of society.

Some names shout your social status, or your parents's social pretensions, and some aren't quite so pigeon-holing.

MitzyLeFrouf · 30/09/2016 15:42

Well it's a matter of opinion really. To me it's most definitely wet.

Thewolfsjustapuppy · 30/09/2016 15:42

Rupert really is a marmite name. But it is not wet! I know several adult Ruperts and they are without exception all high flyers in their chosen professional fields.

MitzyLeFrouf · 30/09/2016 15:38

I really can't stand the name Rupert (so wet!) and would definitely raise an inward eyebrow while outwardly smiling brightly and saying 'oh how lovely'.

Pipilangstrumpf · 30/09/2016 15:34

I wonder what sort of people feel the need 'raise their eyebrows' when they meet a Rupert...Hmm. I think that says more about them than the name.

Rupert is a fab name imo!

W8woman · 30/09/2016 15:16

I have a godson Rupert and it's a name that attracts raised eyebrows and side-eyes so for that reason I wouldn't do it unless he's down for Wetherby and Eton.

Don't think Rufus has the same problem.

What about Raphael?

Philippa and Henrietta is a lovely match.

minipie · 30/09/2016 15:03

Rufus definitely first - love it.

Rupert is fine.

Ralph, no. Judy Blume associations. (Teen boy names his penis Ralph).

Other boys' name ideas (expect you've considered them though): Rory, Felix

Girls: I think it would be better to avoid another -a ending, but maybe that's just me. Here are some ideas:

Cecily
Marianne
Briony/Bryony
Gabrielle
Annabel
Felicity
Sabrina (breaking my own no -a rule...)
Emmeline
Jessamine
Phoebe
Madeleine

I'm not that keen on Philippa if completely honest, especially with Henrietta as then you have two "feminised boys' names" iyswim. I do like Pippa though - suspect she will end up Pippa at some point even if you pick a different nn...

MotherDuckSaid · 30/09/2016 14:49

Just seen uve gone off Ralph, Rupert is my 2nd fave :) Ru is gorgeous for a teen

MotherDuckSaid · 30/09/2016 14:46

I really like all 3. I think Ralph may suit a teenager / grown up the most tho :)

Enidblyton1 · 30/09/2016 14:35

Love Rupert and it goes so well with Henrietta!
Also like Philippa - shortened to Pippa

squoosh · 30/09/2016 14:34

It's just a visceral reaction I have to the name Pip. To me it's the opposite of cool, it reminds me of a weak chinned and wet lipped toff.

Rufus just seems a lot more dashing.

Allalonenow · 30/09/2016 14:30

Rufus is my favourite but also like Rafe very much.

I agree with pp that Phylida is lovely, much nicer than Philippa and not overused.

Pipilangstrumpf · 30/09/2016 14:19

Why not, Squoosh, in your opinion?

squoosh · 30/09/2016 14:18

Rufus.

Rupert is not a good name.

pinkbouqet · 30/09/2016 14:12

Rupert Smile

Pipilangstrumpf · 30/09/2016 14:10

Rupert! Cool, classic and not too trendy. Rufus doesn't sound so nice and rhymes with Doofus. I also like Rafferty.

Also think that Henrietta goes best with Rupert.

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 30/09/2016 12:50

I see you have gone off Ralph, my favourite.
I'll go for Rufus, still a good name.
How about Rex?
Rufus and Rosanna (Rosie)
Rufus and Clara
Rufus and Henrietta (Hetty or Etta )
Rufus and Rebecca (Reba)

Shropitlikeitshot · 30/09/2016 11:55

DH'S middle name bakewell, and we both love it BUT neither of us are skinny and worry we'll have a roly poly pudding on our hands.

OP posts:
BakewellTartAgain · 30/09/2016 11:33

A slight tangent but:-

Roland?

BuntyFigglesworthSpiffington · 30/09/2016 11:30

Rufus is great. Ralph is okay. Really dislike Rupert.

Optimist3 · 30/09/2016 11:15

Phillis is nice