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Baby names

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

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 Hmm

OP posts:
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MrsDimmond · 15/09/2019 22:16

OP there is nothing wrong with the surname Head! Some posters have been weird (and rudeConfused)

Obviously you need to consider names carefully but it's not a problem per se. Certainly hasn't been a problem for the actor Anthony Head, nor his musician brother Murray or indeed his daughters Daisy Head and Emily Head who are also actors ...

OhTheRoses · 15/09/2019 22:09

I have always rather liked Anthony Head. Grin

PrincessLouis · 15/09/2019 22:03

@catlike1979, I think your latest suggestion works and I would go fir Rafi or Rafa as the nn as somehow two syllables in the first name detracts from Head. A similar option without the Spanish issue (which I don’t think is a prob btw) is Rafferty Michael James Head nn Raffy. Or I actually loved a pp’s suggestion of Rædwulf!!! Good luck Flowers

Giringreen · 15/09/2019 22:01

@boardingschoolmater it's an excellent name. He's 2 and is called hump by his big sister. I don't understand why it has such a bad reputation as it's quite a fun name!

Idea86 · 15/09/2019 22:01

Raphael Michael James Head

Yes OP!!! Nailed it, this looks loads better and still have the nickname Rafe.

Also I can't believe people are giving you shit over your surname. Please ignore them.

Giringreen · 15/09/2019 21:58

@missHenty she's Jemima, my husband loves it and I felt pressure from nnu to give her a name so went with it.
I desperately wanted to call her Cressida.
She's 2 in October and it still bothers me but I'm sure I'll get over it 😅

MissHenty · 15/09/2019 21:47

Sounds like a great suggestion OP

@Giringreen do you mind me asking what you named middle naughty? Intrigued!

BoardingSchoolMater · 15/09/2019 21:43

Love your suggestion, OP.

Original poster
catlike1979 · 15/09/2019 21:25

I love Alexander but my nephew is Alexander and we're fairly close as a family so couldn't use it. Also not so keen on the inevitable Alex shortening as we know lots of Alex's!

Okay - how about Raphael Michael James Head? It does sound better than Rafe when written down, but could shorten to Rafe or Rafi or Rafa at home..... DH seems happy with this too. Also could possibly work with my maiden name if we do the big changeover!

OP posts:
GrumpySausage · 15/09/2019 20:26

To second the PP above I love Alexander. It does well with Head too.

GrumpySausage · 15/09/2019 20:25

I think your surname is getting a bad rep OP. I genuinely don't think it's that bad or unusual.

I think you're best to go for longer syllable names. Joshua, Jacob (Jake works), Cameron, Reuben.

Hope all goes well with baby and let us know what you decide.

BoardingSchoolMater · 15/09/2019 20:06

I have a Humphrey too, Giringreen! Humphreys are brilliant!!

BoardingSchoolMater · 15/09/2019 20:05

Agree with PP re Rafael (Rafe) Head. And the surname Head is no obstacle to anything. Anthony Head is one of the most gorgeous men ever born, and I dare say his surname has not been a bother to him.

MrsBertBibby · 15/09/2019 20:04

Alexander. Gets shortened to Alex or Zander, only very rarely to Al.

Perfect.

Giringreen · 15/09/2019 20:01

I think it's a lovely name. I wouldn't worry about the surname, I grew up with an unusual and somewhat unfortunate first and last name and I don't think I've ever been teased about it.
If a child is going to be bullied their name won't make a difference in my opinion!
My son is called Humphrey and we had a lot of pushback from friends and relatives about using that name but we love it and it suits him.
I regrt middle daughter's name, I felt I was pushed away from what I wanted and I wish I'd stood my ground. So if you love the name it's definitely worth sticking with it.

Rachelover60 · 15/09/2019 19:06

'Rafe' should be spelled 'Ralph'.

Ralph (pronounced /rælf/ RALF; or, more rarely, /reɪf/ RAYF) is an English, Irish, Scottish, Dutch, Scandinavian, and German masculine given name, derived from the Old Norse Raðulfr (rað "counsel" and ulfr "wolf") through Old English Rædwulf and the longer form Radulf.

AverageMummy · 15/09/2019 18:36

Or even just taking the first initial of your maiden name: Lead / Read / Mead completely change the surname Head

AverageMummy · 15/09/2019 18:34

Head isn’t awful at all although I can see why it is a bit tricky - would love to know what your maiden name is. I know people who have merged 2 surnames. For example Gibson & Smith can become Gibsmith rather than having to choose one or the other or having long double barrelled names. It wouldn’t work for all combinations but it’s worth considering.

I prefer Raphael Head with Rafe as a nickname but I don’t think Rafe is a no go at all. And god knows how people are hearing things about anuses and rape ! Shock

Shelby30 · 15/09/2019 17:44

I really don't like Rafe, I've never heard of it, it sounds like a nick name. I would go for Raphael as his actual name and u can shorten if u like.

whatausername · 15/09/2019 17:19

@RumpoleoftheBaileys Grin of course!

chesterdraws1 · 15/09/2019 17:16

Sorry to be no help but I actually just lolled at Fred Head Grin

DaWeasleyWae · 15/09/2019 17:05

I think with the middle names, Rafe actually does work! Could maybe hyphenate it so it's Rafe-Michael?

eavers · 15/09/2019 16:08

I think with Head you have to go with something traditional with more than one syllable that cant be shortened.
James
George
Ethan
Alex
Jacob
Some names can be put with any surnames but with Head I would really think carefully about how they sound together and I would prioritise that rather than pick a first name you love but doesnt go with Head.

cloudysunsets · 15/09/2019 16:07

*Grufallosfriends
*
It would sound something like "Ray-fee"

SonEtLumiere · 15/09/2019 15:55

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