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Baby names

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

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Original poster

What do you think of this name for baby due imminently?

108 replies

catlike1979 · 15/09/2019 12:20

39 weeks and not sure if boy or girl, have a girls name but for boy.....
Rafe Michael James Head.

I've posted on here recently asking for help with names - we both really like Rafe, but I'm not sure Rafe Head works (too short having both names one syllable?), but there are so many names that DON'T work with our surname. Michael and James have family connections but we don't want to use them as first names for various reasons but we love them as middle names.

Any comments? Or alternatives? Want to avoid the very overpopular names, please be honest and HELP because we're getting really stressed about it! Took us 6 weeks to name DS whilst in sleep deprived haze and really want to avoid that this time

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Jellycat00 · 20/09/2019 10:40

Er.... i dont see anything wrong with Rafe Head!

Lowlandlucky · 18/09/2019 15:37

Needs to be a more classic name i.e Ian, steven, nicholas etc

Joeybee · 18/09/2019 08:27

Why not go with Raphael and use Rafe as a nickname? Raphael is such a fantastic name.

Grufallosfriends · 18/09/2019 07:51

What's wrong with Ralph or Ralf (the German spelling)?

Whoops75 · 17/09/2019 23:17

I worked with a Ralph we all called Ralf

Poor guy

LarkDescending · 17/09/2019 22:33

Ranulph isn’t pronounced Ralf! It’s pronounced exactly as it looks, 2 syllables. The most famous one (Fiennes) shortens it to “Ran”.

OhTheRoses · 17/09/2019 21:04

Isaac (suck) Head. It's a looong time since I nearly spat wine over a MNet keyboard. Thank you

Seriously op from an old timer: Ralph is pronounced Rafe. If you are going to use it please spell and say it correctly. Ranulph is pronounced Ralf.

Related Rudolph "Rudi" Head. Works better.

MilkTrayLimeBarrel · 17/09/2019 13:36

I knew someone who married a Mr Head - they double-barrelled their surname. Could you do that OP?

Alternatively, how about Alexander or Jonathan?

daisypond · 17/09/2019 13:13

I’m astonished by some reactions on this thread. Your surname is completely fine. I do think Rafe is a little short with it and a longer name would be better, but it’s fine. Rafe is a normal name. Raphael is also great.

Grufallosfriends · 17/09/2019 13:01

What's wrong with Isaac? I suck?

MeganTheVegan · 17/09/2019 10:19

OP, my DS had DH's surname and then, when he was about 4, we changed it so that he has both of our names. I wasn't keen on double-barreling it, but we did and I am glad.

It really isn't such a big deal to do and costs about 25 quid through Deed Poll. I have kept my maiden name so DH and I have different surnames but the kids have both.

Twooter · 17/09/2019 10:17

Definitely not Isaac Head

Astronica · 17/09/2019 10:11

Rapael Michael James is really lovely, and you still get to use Rafe as a short form.

LarkDescending · 16/09/2019 21:56

Raphael Michael James is lovely.

TwinMumma2 · 16/09/2019 21:14

Hello OP!

Would you consider a double-barrelled first name..? That way you still get Rafe, but with an extra syllable or two to lengthen it?

Rafe - Michael James Head
Rafe - James Michael Head (NN. RJ)

MissHenty · 16/09/2019 19:44

Oh yes Rafferty is a great name

BereniceAbbott · 16/09/2019 19:37

Now this is chutzpah

What do you think of this name for baby due imminently?

EloDeeDee · 16/09/2019 09:25

I love Rafferty Michael James Head .

Spintops · 16/09/2019 09:02

A lot of the thread I hadn't read and have just seen how much stick you're getting for taking your man's perfectly normal surname.

Some nastiness on the thread, OP. Please pay no attention to it.

Tillygetsit · 15/09/2019 23:18

OP I would have LOVED Head as as surname compared to my maiden and first married surname...and no I'm not telling.

TheRLodger · 15/09/2019 22:50

I think you need to steer clear of one syllable full names and nick names.
Liam, Harry, Henry, Alfred (Alfie), Logan, Louis, Lewis, Toby

Bumbags · 15/09/2019 22:31

Rafe is hideous and I think he would be bullied at school and probably called Ra*eHead

Let’s hope it’s a girl!

BoardingSchoolMater · 15/09/2019 22:29

@Giringreen My Humphers has never had a problem with his name. It is fab. He is 17, and is very happy with it!

Glad I'm not the only one who likes the divine Anthony Head.

thebakerwithboobs · 15/09/2019 22:29

I think an alliterative name works well with surnames like this. Harry Head? Henry Head? Hugo Head? Harrison Head? You get the idea. I just think the 'happy' alliteration is what you remember rather than the surname. I hate writing that because nobody can help their name but it's a tricky one to work with.

zen1 · 15/09/2019 22:26

Raphael is lovely. I think a longer first name definitely goes better with a one-syllabled surname.

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