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Baby names

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

Original poster

Ralph

94 replies

Darceyhemingway · 21/10/2021 14:18

I was really shocked that Ralph was down 14 places and is at 95 on the ONS chart. I thought it was really popular. I love Ralph but I was put off by popularity but it seems to not be the case? How many do you know?

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notacooldad · 22/10/2021 10:31

I don't know any but I like it.
I prefer Ralf though.

ThirdElephant · 22/10/2021 10:27

I've never met a Ralph pronounced Rafe. I have met Rafes spelled Rafe though. I think Rafe is possibly even worse than Ralf. I first came across Rafe when I overheard the name as a teenager and I thought they'd said rape initially. I can't hear Rafe without thinking rape now- they sound too similar to my ear.

Skeumorph · 22/10/2021 10:19

The penis thing will be an issue for older people I guess but seen as I don't make the connection or have never even heard of Judy it dosent bother me and I doubt his friends will know either when he's grown up.

Hate to say it OP but last year my 14 year old niece was reading it and commented that she'd never be able to look at her friend's dad again. I'm sure you can guess what his name is. The book was going round her group of friends. It's a teen classic I'm afraid Confused

TuftyMarmoset · 22/10/2021 09:23

I’m really surprised you haven’t even heard of Judy Blume - I am 26 and read most of her books as a teen. They are pretty famous! en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judy_Blume

TeeBee · 22/10/2021 09:01

I once had a snake called Ralph...because he regurgitated mice. But yeah, Judy Blume connotations for me too...lates 40s.

Original poster
Darceyhemingway · 22/10/2021 08:57

@Ogwen I really didn't know how to word that. Sorry. My mum hasn't heard of her either tho! Sorry 😂

OP posts:
Lulu1919 · 22/10/2021 08:50

I know 1 he's 9

Ogwen · 22/10/2021 08:36

older people
How very dare you!

Original poster
Darceyhemingway · 22/10/2021 08:27

Thanks for the input. The Rafe/Ralph thing confused me as I know quite few Rafes spelt Rafe but I'm happy to correct people if the pronounce it wrong.

Don't know if it's a regional thing but no one in my life associates Ralph with vomit.

The penis thing will be an issue for older people I guess but seen as I don't make the connection or have never even heard of Judy it dosent bother me and I doubt his friends will know either when he's grown up.

It's on the shortlist so we’ll see in 6 weeks. It might be a girl and we have our girls name sorted so much easier!

OP posts:
DramaAlpaca · 21/10/2021 23:34

Truly hideous name.

Lightswitch123 · 21/10/2021 23:16

I love it! Also in 30s and never heard of any penis or vomit associations. Seems like that's just a generational thing so won't affect his peers or their parents age groups.

gukvguk · 21/10/2021 23:08

Yep Judy Blume ... and vomiting, Horrible name.

IncorrigibleTitmouse · 21/10/2021 23:05

Pronounced like Ralph Fiennes is lovely, very refined.

Ralph with the L pronounced is no bueno. I also am of Judy Blume book age and have an American DH so ralphed also means puked. My father had a friend called Ralph and he was a real Onslow type so I think I just have too many negative associations! 😂

Synchrony · 21/10/2021 22:32

40s woman here.
Ralph (Ralf) = penis.
Ralph (Rafe) = Ralph Fiennes.

I like the Rafe pronunciation only.

tiffanyshoes · 21/10/2021 22:26

We need a thread for Judy books

TuftyMarmoset · 21/10/2021 22:26

never seen the spelling Ralph for Rafe

It’s the more traditional British way, eg Ralph Fiennes. I would think of the Ralf pronunciation as being more American. I would definitely assume it was pronounced Rafe if I came across one.

tiffanyshoes · 21/10/2021 22:23

Oh yes Ralph! He stood tall snd strong or something cringey like that

I was about 10 and it was the 80s. I didn't really understand the book. 😂

ironorchids · 21/10/2021 22:22

I don't think I've met any Ralphs, I just think of Ralph as the dog from the muppets who plays the piano.

But if you really like a name, just use it.

Echofallen · 21/10/2021 22:17

Immediately makes me think of Forever by Judy Blume. I used to work with a couple of guys called Ralph and as soon as I met them the word "Penis!" popped into my brain because of that book.

Laureatus · 21/10/2021 22:13

My son! He's just turned 2. We pronounce it 'rafe', it's an old family name on my side. We met one other rafe at toddler group recently, but not sure how they spell it.

lililou · 21/10/2021 20:52

@ForTheLoveOfSleep

Makes me think of Ralph Wiggum "My cat's breath smell like cats food".
Same
Verysurprised · 21/10/2021 20:29

I have a gorgeous toddler Ralph (mostly Ralphie at the moment). I have never looked at him and thought 'penis' or 'vomit' 😆!!
It's always going to be a divisive name - if you love it, go for it.
Ralph Wiggum was a worry for me too, but then I came to the realisation that he's actually a really cute, kind little boy.
I also know a 30something Ralph and before I named my little boy I asked him if he was happy with his name - he said he loved it.

itshappened · 21/10/2021 19:46

I'm in my 30s and it's definitely the name of a penis in Forever! Grin

DemBonesDemBones · 21/10/2021 19:43

Sorry, another Penis vote!

ladygindiva · 21/10/2021 19:39

Two, one of reception age and the other his grandparent, 70s. Love it.