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Baby names

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

Original poster

Rafferty/Rafe/Raffey

37 replies

Overthinkingalways · 05/02/2021 13:05

Which do you prefer and what 'feel' do you get?:
Rafferty
Rafe
Raffey/Raffy

I love Raffey but feel like we should give a 'proper' name on birth certificate. I don't want Ralph in case it's pronounced Ralf.

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fluffydinosaur · 07/02/2021 22:44

love Rafferty with nn Raffey. Very nearly called my son that (ended up being Raphael with nn Raffey - but use the usual 3 syllable pronunciation)

MyNameHasBeenTaken · 07/02/2021 22:09

Sorry to derail.
I love the name rafe. Knew a very cute one many years ago.
He used the traditional Ralph spelling. (His parents did, he was only 2)
I always wondered how/why ralph was spoken as rafe. Raiph I could see.
But not ralph

mangothoughts · 07/02/2021 21:41

I love the name Rafferty and wanted to use it myself. The nn's are super cute as well - Raffy, Raff or Rafa.

autumnkate · 07/02/2021 21:35

I really like Rafe. I’m not a fan of surnames as first names (Rafferty).

TinyCake · 06/02/2021 18:42

Rafferty

Cbeebiesrehab · 06/02/2021 18:26

Really like Rafferty nn Rafe

partyatthepalace · 05/02/2021 21:07

Really like Rafe, sounds like a smart interesting grown up
I like Raphael too, but if the standard 3 syllables pronunciation really bothers you - don’t. It’s softer and more feminine than Ralph
Rafferty is a bit noughties but I don’t hate it, it’s not great for a grown up though.
Arthur I love but yes very popular
You could use Nathan as a full name? But agree not Nate

  • Think a proper name on the birth cert is right - everyone should be able to decide if they want to be known by a cute nn or not
  • Rafe is a long established alternative spelling to Ralph
  • I hate the name Ralph - like a small dog yapping - so think you right to head that off
IdesMarchof · 05/02/2021 21:03

I would go for Raphael nn Raff - knew a handsome one at uni

Kitkat151 · 05/02/2021 21:01

None....
I like Arthur tho

Original poster
Overthinkingalways · 05/02/2021 20:43

@ChildofCastor I kind of do. And I kind of don’t. Sounds a bit dogs name to me 🙈

OP posts:
ChildofCastor · 05/02/2021 20:35

Haha, I meant Rufus!

ChildofCastor · 05/02/2021 20:35

Do you like Rubus?

Original poster
Overthinkingalways · 05/02/2021 20:31

Hmm the pretentious/try hard comments put me off. We are very much an average joe family!

OP posts:
Chilldonaldchill · 05/02/2021 20:08

I love Rafe and Rafael.
Rafferty is ok.
Raffey is a very cute nickname for any of the above.

ConkerBonkers · 05/02/2021 19:58

Rafferty, but use your favourite shortened version day to day

FluffyEggsontoast · 05/02/2021 19:47

I think Nate would be perfectly fine on its own

How about Nico @Overthinkingalways

DwangelaForever · 05/02/2021 17:44

Rafe reminds me of pearl harbour. I like Rafferty but it's very surname as given name for me

Swingometer · 05/02/2021 17:27

They all sound a bit pretentious to me. I think Ralph (pronounced Ralf) is much nicer!

I like Nathaniel/ Nate and don't think that has the same 'try too hard' connotations as Rafferty/ Rafe

VenusClapTrap · 05/02/2021 17:20

Really dislike Rafferty and it’s shortened forms. It seemed to be very popular about a decade ago - didn’t some sleb use it for their kid?

I rather like Arthur.

Original poster
Overthinkingalways · 05/02/2021 17:18

@FluffyEggsontoast I like Nate but not Nathaniel and goes back to the same dilemma of having a proper name on the birth certificate. Although does that matter these days anyway with all the Alfie, Harry, albie, kit, Tommy etc?

OP posts:
Original poster
Overthinkingalways · 05/02/2021 17:15

@BackforGood as Rafe. That’s an traditional English pronunciation of Ralph

OP posts:
ILoveShula · 05/02/2021 17:14

Raif

BackforGood · 05/02/2021 17:13

Personally I don't like any of them, but I'm intrigued......

I don't want Ralph in case it's pronounced Ralf.

How else would you pronounce Ralph ? Confused

Divebar2021 · 05/02/2021 16:58

I guess it depends where you live. None of them would seem particular pretentious around here... lots of variety.

blue25 · 05/02/2021 16:40

I don’t like any. They sound pretentious to me.

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