Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

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?
Set a reminder
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)

Original poster
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