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Baby names

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

Original poster

Raye - I can't use this can I?

65 replies

idontknow54789 · 02/09/2024 13:58

We don't know if we're having a boy or a girl but I love this name and think it suits both. Realistically though the singer has dominated this name hasn't she? Would this be strange to use this name?

I also like Rafe for a boy and DH likes Rayne for a girl but we don't like either's and Raye is the only one we agree with.

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AntarcticOcean · 02/09/2024 15:20

I really like Rae/Raye for a girl. I’m pretty sure it was on my list that DH didn’t like. It makes me think of a ray of sunshine and a smiley sunny child! I would go for a more timeless/classic middle name to counteract the modern first name. Like Rae Charlotte or something…

Wavescrashingonthebeach · 02/09/2024 15:14

Not keen on Raye or Rae for girls

I like Raffi for a boy (as in like the children's singer Raffi)

Comefromaway · 02/09/2024 15:14

I immediately think of the singer.

IWasHittingMyMarks · 02/09/2024 15:12

Raye is an amazing vocalist, but it's just 'Ray' with an 'e' on the end, often short for Raymond, imo

Much prefer Rayne or Raina for a girl

Rafe or Rafferty or Raphael for a boy

Kitkat1523 · 02/09/2024 15:12

I don’t like any of them…..Rae, rafe, Rayne and Raye …..so many lovely names to chose from …..cross all these off and move down your list

Clearinguptheclutter · 02/09/2024 15:12

Oh and although I have heard of the singer I wouldn’t like the two
More likely to link with Star Wars (Rey, which is better IMO but a clear Star Wars connotation!)

Sparklyhat · 02/09/2024 15:10

A girl called Rae is unique but I quite like it. I'd use Ray or Raymond for a boy (Roman? Is a similar option) Raye doesn't look right and I don't think many people have heard of the singer

I know a baby called Robyn-Rae which is nice. If you're into double barrel names Rae works well for that

CheeseWisely · 02/09/2024 15:10

I don't know the singer but it does make me think of the Australian 'breakdancer' from the Olympics Confused

DeCaray · 02/09/2024 15:07

I have never heard of the singer.

Ray is nice for a boy called Raymond.

Rae for a girl is ok but nothing special. Will
Probably be misspelt Ray all the time.

Rafe is a lovely nickname for Raphael which is a beautiful name.

IMustDoMoreExercise · 02/09/2024 15:05

Needmorelego · 02/09/2024 14:08

I've never heard of a singer called Raye (off to Google her now.....) so I wouldn't think that you've named your baby after her or anything.
I've always had a fondness for the girls name Rayanne.

Listen to Worth It.

ItalianChineseIndianMexican · 02/09/2024 15:03

I like Raye (or Rae) for a girl.
I like Raya too.

Aside from the singer though, I've only ever come across one female Rae and that was a shortening of Rachel (which I also like).

godmum56 · 02/09/2024 14:59

edit: It was Josephine Tey not Margery Allingham. The book is called The Man in the Queue and the woman in it is called Ray Marcable. She is a famous stunning beautiful and talented stage performer.

ginasevern · 02/09/2024 14:58

I thought that calling girls Rae had run its course. There was an explosion of them about 10 years ago, usually as a double first name - like Indie Rae (which is a pretty classic example on my council estate).

Twoshoesnewshoes · 02/09/2024 14:52

Was short for Rachel in my school days

godmum56 · 02/09/2024 14:50

I like Raye. It sounds quite 30's Marjorie Allingham-ish. Very classy.

AngryBird6122 · 02/09/2024 14:43

Love it and love the spelling

Clma · 02/09/2024 14:39

Honestly, I think it's a horrible name to give to a girl. It makes me think of a Raymond. It's an old man's name, sorry.

VimesandhisCardboardBoots · 02/09/2024 14:38

Never heard of the singer. I'd assume Star Wars fan

Choosenandenough · 02/09/2024 14:38

TheCultureHusks · 02/09/2024 14:01

Not a fan. It’s pretty ugly and will date horribly. Surely you can find a nicer name!!

Surely you could give a nicer way to say that!

WheresMySupportCat · 02/09/2024 14:36

My best friend (aged 50) is Rachel named after her aunt who only went by Raye.

So I like it.

CutthroatDruTheViolent · 02/09/2024 14:35

Your reasoning is utterly bizarre. Use it if you like. No one is going to think of the singer.

Her real name is Rachel btw.

GuestFeatu · 02/09/2024 14:32

Raye is short for Rachel. I think Raye and Rae as standalone names for a girl are weak and boring. Rafe for a boy is nice but Ray isn't and Raye for a boy is extra bad.

mitogoshi · 02/09/2024 14:30

Raymond or Rachel with it as a nickname - you can then switch if you dislike it in the future

sunseaandsoundingoff · 02/09/2024 14:30

YouveGotAFastCar · 02/09/2024 14:00

I think it's fine.

I thought of Rey from Star Wars, the singer wouldn't have occurred to me.

Same.

PhoebeFeels · 02/09/2024 14:29

But 'rafe' is spelt Ralph usually.

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