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Original poster

Thoughts on the name Rafferty?

103 replies

Csang · 16/07/2024 21:05

I'm due to have a baby boy in a few months and we still can't find a name we both agree on. I love Raffie and Raphael is a lovley name but our kid is likely to be ginger, light skinned and freckly so Mediterranean Raphael vibes might seem a bit ridiculous! Raffie is also short for Rafferty which I'm not immediately drawn to. Any thoughts?!??!

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KirstenBlest · 17/07/2024 15:34

Barnabyby · 16/07/2024 22:35

Well of course they did. They're being polite.
I told my brother it was a nice name (for my nephew) even though I thought it was awful.

But if you like it, that's all that matters.

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I agree with you. I think it's awful, but if I met one I'd probably say 'how nice' or 'Rafferty? that's unusual'

squirrelnutkins1 · 17/07/2024 14:42

I like it :)

Moreteaandchocolate · 17/07/2024 00:16

I like it! I know 3 little Raffertys nn Raffy, and it really suits them!

Berlinlover · 17/07/2024 00:00

It wouldn’t work at all here in Ireland but elsewhere it probably would.

understatedeleganza · 16/07/2024 23:59

Ralph or Rafe would be fine

understatedeleganza · 16/07/2024 23:56

I know a Rafferty. It's fine but comes off a bit try hard/bougie doesn't it. It's just a matter of taste. I prefer proper names so I would go for Raphael but obviously lots of people like names like Raffie, Albie, whatever

floradora · 16/07/2024 23:45

I'm afraid Rafferty to me suggests a small town night club in the 1990's. Rafael /Raphael or Ralph is much better

DramaAlpaca · 16/07/2024 23:42

It's just another Irish surname being repurposed as a first name. I don't like it. I like Raphael though.

OkPedro · 16/07/2024 23:35

Irish surname.. suppose it's like Murphy/Kelly/Quinn

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 16/07/2024 23:27

It’s a celeb baby name isn’t it? According to statistics it was pretty much unused as a first name in E and W until Jude Law used it - and it’s been gradually increasing ever since. Jude Law has a lot to answer for baby name wise actually🤣 - Jude, Rafferty, Iris (daughter), even Sienna (his girlfriend at the time) seem to have all started their popularity rises after he became famous.

Anyway that’s what Rafferty makes me think of - celeb trends, so it wouldn’t personally be my cup of tea. But I tend to like very traditional or Classical names so…🤷‍♀️

SaulHudsonDavidJones · 16/07/2024 23:18

Beehiveme · 16/07/2024 21:20

It's a silly name and very frilly!

How about Rufus? That would be perfect on a child leaning towards ginger.

Rufus is a dog's name

Marblessolveeverything · 16/07/2024 23:15

Rafferty, the Anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Raighbheartaigh, means "prosperity wielder."

It's an Irish surname, I know plenty, none with it as a first name, mind you in Ireland it is quite typical to be referred to as your surname - are you Irish ?

Tanfastic · 16/07/2024 23:15

Love it op. But judging by the responses it's a bit marmite. My son has a very boring traditional first name and a more unusual middle name which we wanted to call him but thought everyone would laugh or pull a face. I really regret not calling him it now and he loves his middle name. Go for it.

EmeraldRoses · 16/07/2024 23:13

Awful. So pretentious

SOxon · 16/07/2024 23:12

Baker Street

although the sax was Raphael Ravenscroft, the song is still
synonymous with the above
or Rafferty Law - tis an Irish name, to be sure

DiscoBeat · 16/07/2024 23:11

SprigatitoYouAndIKnow · 16/07/2024 22:58

You have said that you aren't drawn to it, so don't call your child something you don't really like because you like a shortening of it. Raphael is a great name, as is Rufus, which a few others have already mentioned.

To me Rafferty is a frilly, lacey name. Specifically sounds like it would be used on Tudor clothing like ruffs and frilly sleeves. But that us quite a specific word association!

That's exactly what springs to my mind, too. Also for some reason I'm imagining a little baby Lawrence Llewellyn Bowen 🤣

Countrygirlxo · 16/07/2024 23:10

Not keen on Rafferty.
Have you considered Rafe?

DiscoBeat · 16/07/2024 23:09

I like it but it's a 'fussy' name imo.

Copperoliverbear · 16/07/2024 23:08

I love it. X

SnowFrogJelly · 16/07/2024 23:07

Awful

HeySummerWhereAreYou · 16/07/2024 23:05

Csang · 16/07/2024 21:05

I'm due to have a baby boy in a few months and we still can't find a name we both agree on. I love Raffie and Raphael is a lovley name but our kid is likely to be ginger, light skinned and freckly so Mediterranean Raphael vibes might seem a bit ridiculous! Raffie is also short for Rafferty which I'm not immediately drawn to. Any thoughts?!??!

Oh good Lord NO! Shock

sunshinelollipopz · 16/07/2024 23:05

@Barnabyby fail to see what the purpose of your comment was then.

PrincessOfPreschool · 16/07/2024 23:05

I work with 2-4 year olds. There are 3 Raffy/Raffies out of about 25 boys! One is Raphael (called Raffy) but the other 2 are just known as Raffy so not sure if they have a longer name.

Barnabyby · 16/07/2024 23:03

sunshinelollipopz · 16/07/2024 23:02

@Barnabyby how bitchy. Hope that made you feel big 👍🏼

Can't say I feel any different to be honest.

sunshinelollipopz · 16/07/2024 23:02

@Barnabyby how bitchy. Hope that made you feel big 👍🏼

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