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Baby names

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

Original poster

Rafferty

73 replies

17caterpillars1mouse · 31/01/2023 15:15

What are your thoughts on Rafferty for a boy? It's not my usual style of name but it's growing on me and I think Raffy is a cute shortening. I've seen it's moving up the name charts so must be getting more mainstream and less 'outthere'.

Does anybody know a Rafferty?

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Snugglemonkey · 01/02/2023 00:21

Sgtmajormummy · 31/01/2023 17:13

As soon as I read it I got an instant flash of the opening saxophone notes of “Baker Street” by Gerry Rafferty. Great song, but do you want it sung to you on a regular basis?

It really would not be a thing!

NewYearNewUsername23 · 31/01/2023 23:38

I knew a tiny one once, who must be a teen by now. He was Raff day to day which did lead to a couple of assumptions that he was Raphael.

dotdotdotdash · 31/01/2023 21:58

Me too @Sgtmajormummy 😆Baker Street is a cracking song

aibutohavethisusername · 31/01/2023 21:48

Dreadful I’m afraid.

DaveSpud · 31/01/2023 21:43

I love it!

MrsJaneyLloydFoxe · 31/01/2023 21:22

I know one aged 5. He gets Raff, Raffy, Rafa as nn.

Worriedlip · 31/01/2023 21:13

I imagine Raffy to be a large, round, long haired, scruffy, rich ex public school boy who hung out with Boris and co at Bullingdon

AyeCarrumba · 31/01/2023 21:12

It means prosperity & abundance. So nice meaning.
I think Raffy is a cute nn.

AyeCarrumba · 31/01/2023 21:10

Jude Law's son is Rafferty

goldenfoliage · 31/01/2023 19:29

I love it, love the sound of Rafferty. Not keen on any nicknames, but not against them.

xJoyPeaceHealthx · 31/01/2023 19:01

Too surnamey
What's wrong with Raphael nn Raffa

MattDamon · 31/01/2023 17:56

I know three under the age of five. Definitely very popular atm.

BellatrixLestrangesHeatedCurlers · 31/01/2023 17:48

BellatrixLestrangesHeatedCurlers · 31/01/2023 17:47

I know one! He's gorgeous with swooshy hair. Goes by Raff or Raffles (genuinely). He's very sweet.

Should hastily add he is in his early 30s like me, it's not a child(!)

RuthW · 31/01/2023 17:48

I like it. Was nearly out dog's name.

BellatrixLestrangesHeatedCurlers · 31/01/2023 17:47

I know one! He's gorgeous with swooshy hair. Goes by Raff or Raffles (genuinely). He's very sweet.

Paturday · 31/01/2023 17:33

Rafferty. It’s fine I think. I wouldn’t choose it but I think it’s inoffensive. There’s something about the ‘erty’ ending that isn’t for me. It’s like an adjective, I think that’s it. ‘He’s a very rafferty boy’ etc 😄 but it’s fine!

Brackenfield · 31/01/2023 17:31

I'm Irish so its a Surname to me, but one of the "better" ones to be a first name

sukiwh · 31/01/2023 17:31

Like it. Raff sounds like a handsome rake.

Pinkdafodils · 31/01/2023 17:29

Raff does not travel well into other languages! It sounds so harsh.

Ralf or Ralph is much better imo

ShittyPeasantsFromHampshire · 31/01/2023 17:27

Did it exist as a first name before Jude Law and Sadie Frost called their son Rafferty 20-something years ago?

Princesspollyyy · 31/01/2023 17:26

I love it.

ReadtheReviews · 31/01/2023 17:25

Love it. Had a very handsome spaniel called Raffles and was a toss between that and Rafferty.

Cannottryasp00 · 31/01/2023 17:23

I really love the name …Riff Raff never occurred to me !

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 31/01/2023 17:20

I know a Rafferty and it really suits him, he's 13yo now and the first time I've heard it linked to riff raff is on this thread!!

He goes by Raff mostly now.

Binfire · 31/01/2023 17:19

I love it and I usually dislike the surnames for first names thing.

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