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Original poster

Thoughts on Rafe?

64 replies

IHate · 13/10/2025 15:13

Just that, really. I know that the properly ‘U’ spelling is ‘Ralph’, but we’re not that posh and I don’t want him having to explain it for the rest of his life!

So, Rafe (for a boy). Please let me know what you think.

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CrystalShoe · 13/10/2025 20:10

dancingqueen345 · 13/10/2025 19:13

Sorry what?! Ralph isn’t pronounced Ralf??

I was just about to type the same thing! Mind blown!

Idonthavetimeforabrokenfoot · 13/10/2025 20:08

Crojo · 13/10/2025 16:24

I like it. I remember first hearing it in the Pearl Harbour film years ago and liking it.

I've always associated it with Pearl Harbour too. I like it.

lottiegarbanzo · 13/10/2025 20:05

I’m confused by your perception of poshness. To me Ralph is an ok, normal kind of name. The Rafe pronunciation is the more ‘posh’ one. So spelling the name to emphasise the posh pronunciation reads as you being wannabe posh. Which is just weird. Either you and your family pronounce Ralph as Rafe, or you don’t.

I’d also wonder if it was an abbreviation of Rafferty / Raphael so a version of Raf.

ResusciAnnie · 13/10/2025 19:50

bitterexwife · 13/10/2025 15:21

Sounds too much like ‘rape’ to me. I vetoed it for that reason.

Yep. Always makes me think of a ‘perineal raphe’ too (google it). Not great!

58andnotout · 13/10/2025 19:45

It’s ok for Chris and Rosie Ramsey. I like it.

Bothe · 13/10/2025 19:45

I don't like the name, regardless of how it's spelt.

However, if I met a child called Rafe then I wouldn't bat an eyelid and neither would most people, so if you like it then go for it.

mrwwhite · 13/10/2025 19:44

There’s a few at my sons’ school and it’s so cringe when they shout out to them.

Bernadinetta · 13/10/2025 19:43

How about Rafferty?

pamshortsbrokenbothherlegs · 13/10/2025 19:42

pamshortsbrokenbothherlegs · 13/10/2025 19:41

I have a Rafe. It's a great name.

What many on the Ralph side of the spelling divide don't grasp is that the Rafe spelling is just as old as any other (Ralph, Raif, Raife)- literally hundreds of years old. It's just that over time Ralph won out, especially within the aristocracy. But it's not just some dumbed-down, modern phonetic spelling, it's a standard variation.

I didn't want him to spend his life explaining, especially with the recent rise of the name Ralph as a baby name with the American spelling.

And I always say "Rafe like safe" so that's my word association, not rape.

American pronunciation, I meant!

pamshortsbrokenbothherlegs · 13/10/2025 19:41

I have a Rafe. It's a great name.

What many on the Ralph side of the spelling divide don't grasp is that the Rafe spelling is just as old as any other (Ralph, Raif, Raife)- literally hundreds of years old. It's just that over time Ralph won out, especially within the aristocracy. But it's not just some dumbed-down, modern phonetic spelling, it's a standard variation.

I didn't want him to spend his life explaining, especially with the recent rise of the name Ralph as a baby name with the American spelling.

And I always say "Rafe like safe" so that's my word association, not rape.

Problemhooves · 13/10/2025 19:41

Sal820 · 13/10/2025 19:38

Ralph is horrid IMO, all I can think of is Ralph Wiggum from the Simpsons.

I love Raife, but would spell it Raife so it's not like rape.

Ralph is pronounced "raife" in the UK (traditionally anyway)

Ralph Wiggum, King Ralph etc are american where they appear to pronounce it Ralf

Sal820 · 13/10/2025 19:38

Ralph is horrid IMO, all I can think of is Ralph Wiggum from the Simpsons.

I love Raife, but would spell it Raife so it's not like rape.

Problemhooves · 13/10/2025 19:33

As others have said, it is normally spelt Ralph. I like, but not with your spelling

FlutteryButterfly · 13/10/2025 19:33

dancingqueen345 · 13/10/2025 19:13

Sorry what?! Ralph isn’t pronounced Ralf??

Ralph Fiennes is a good example of this!

FlutteryButterfly · 13/10/2025 19:31

bitterexwife · 13/10/2025 15:21

Sounds too much like ‘rape’ to me. I vetoed it for that reason.

Agree in my handwriting it looks like rape.

slightlyoverbaked · 13/10/2025 19:27

Isn’t it Raef?

overstimulatedhermit · 13/10/2025 19:20

I love it, it’s Ben afflecks name in pearl harbour. Rafe is a great name 😍

Montylooloo · 13/10/2025 19:17

Love it. Was on our list. Cool, short. Unusual without being made up. Sounds good for a teenager and adult, plumber or doctor!

dancingqueen345 · 13/10/2025 19:13

Sorry what?! Ralph isn’t pronounced Ralf??

Orphlids · 13/10/2025 18:58

If I’m completely honest (and yes, I KNOW I’m a dreadful snob, nobody needs to tell me), whenever I come across Ralph spelled Rafe, I do think it’s rather dreadful. I am similarly stuck up when it comes to Ralph being pronounced as Ralf. OP, obviously you are aware of the correct spelling and pronunciation. Unpleasant snobs like me are disappointingly few and far between these days, so I think if you like the name with that spelling, you should go for it. I think the name has a lovely sound. But you might occasionally meet someone like me, who will be slightly sneering on the inside. But does that really matter?

SilkAndSparklesForParties · 13/10/2025 18:41

If the majority of the people you know will pronounce Ralph as Rafe, it's perfect. If they don't and you therefore have to spell it Rafe, no.

Moreteaandchocolate · 13/10/2025 18:36

I like it 😊

Jollyjoy · 13/10/2025 17:17

I quite like it! But I think I’d not be able to forget the ‘rape’ thing now I’ve read it here…

NewHat · 13/10/2025 17:17

I know a Raef.

tsmainsqueeze · 13/10/2025 16:51

bitterexwife · 13/10/2025 15:21

Sounds too much like ‘rape’ to me. I vetoed it for that reason.

It does to me too and a bit pretentious .
Ralph is fine though.

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