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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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ThirdElephant · 21/10/2021 19:38

@Pinkywoo

Talking to Ralph on the big white telephone - vomiting in the loo!
Yes, that was the full saying! Except our telephone was avocado-green (thank you, seventies decor).
Pinkywoo · 21/10/2021 19:37

Talking to Ralph on the big white telephone - vomiting in the loo!

Skeumorph · 21/10/2021 19:28

🍆

Skeumorph · 21/10/2021 19:28

Penis, sorry 😬

Mousetown · 21/10/2021 19:25

Came here to mention Judy Blume but I see everyone beat me to it Grin

PainterInPeril · 21/10/2021 19:25

"Wreck-it Ralph"..... maybe quite appropriate for a boisterous toddler!!Grin

ThirdElephant · 21/10/2021 19:05

It was what we used to refer to vomit growing up because of the sound of wretching.

'Raaaaaaaaaaalph'

Not one I'd choose- I'm quite surprised it's so popular.

newtolineofduty · 21/10/2021 19:04

I'm pregnant OP and Ralph is on my list for a boy. Never heard of the association with vomit and assuming the next generation won't associate it with a penis! X

NellWilsonsWhiteHair · 21/10/2021 18:53

I prefer the Rafe pronunciation but I suspect statistically it's now outnumbered by the Ralf pronunciation to the extent that Rafe-Ralphs are having to swap spelling as in pp example Sad

I'm surprised you're surprised it's as low as 94 OP - I'm surprised it's that high! I don't know any Ralphs, adult or child.

KristinAmandaThomas · 21/10/2021 18:45

I know a dog called Ralph. Not keen on it for a person myself. I do know a little boy called Raff though which I think is a really cool name

Original poster
Darceyhemingway · 21/10/2021 18:41

Pronounced R-Alf. Not a fan of Rafe and never seen the spelling Ralph for Rafe all the rafes I know are spelt that way so don't think pronunciation will be an issue.

Never heard it slang for penis or vomit so they're new ones! The only connection I don't like is the Ralph from the Simpson's as that's the only one I get.

I'm glad some people think it's old manny as I was worried it was a too young sounding name. Ernest/Hector names that like are on my list anyway so that's a positive in my eyes.

Thanks for all the input!

OP posts:
GannyFallopsplease · 21/10/2021 17:55

Love 💙

insancerre · 21/10/2021 17:54

Preschool teacher- I’ve got 2 Ralphs in my class of 20 children

Whataday21 · 21/10/2021 17:53

Or Ralph Little...who I did actually meet!

EdgeOfACoin · 21/10/2021 17:52

I think of Ralph Fiennes...

I'm late 30s. Have read Forever by Judy Blume
but I don't automatically think of the book when I hear the name Ralph.

Not sure why 'Ralph' is considered hopelessly old-fashioned when Alfie is so popular. Sounds lovely like a more grown up version of Alfie, tbh. Personally, I like it.

LettertoHermoine · 21/10/2021 17:45

@charityshopchangingbag

Judy Blume has forever tainted the name Ralph with that bloody awful euphemism in that book of hers
Yes....Meet Little Ralph... ha ha nope.
Lynne1Cat · 21/10/2021 17:44

The only Ralph I know is my niece's Labrador (sorry)

Singalongsingsong · 21/10/2021 16:52

I like it pronounced Rafe. Ralf pronunciation is still an old mans name in the same vein as Ernest or Horace for me.

crunchypeanutbutterontoast · 21/10/2021 16:45

The book was called ‘Forever’

Tempusfudgeit · 21/10/2021 16:20

Judy Blume. Ralph was the love interest's pet name for his willy 🤣

TuftyMarmoset · 21/10/2021 16:09

I have never met a Ralph. Hate the R-alf pronunciation.

I’m 26 and read most of the Judy Blume books but don’t remember Ralph in one - which one was that?

Hlc98 · 21/10/2021 16:00

I like Ralph if it’s pronounced ‘Rafe’
I don’t even know who Judy Blume is. 🤷🏼‍♀️

WellThatsATurnipForTheBooks · 21/10/2021 15:52

When you're talking about it being popular or whether people like it, are you talking about the Rafe or R-alf pronunciation because they are worlds apart!

I know one in his 40s who changed the spelling to Rafe as he was fed up of being called R-alf.

I also know a R-alf who is in his 20s. I have to say I was quite surprised as it's not a name you come across very often, let alone for a young person!

Aquamarine1029 · 21/10/2021 15:29

[quote Darceyhemingway]@Aquamarine1029 in what way?[/quote]
The sound of the name alone is horrible, but the connections to penis and vomit make it unusable in my opinion.

alpinerain · 21/10/2021 15:28

I prefer Rafael but don't mind Ralph.

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