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Baby names

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

Original poster

Okay, think I have the name sussed but this doesn't mean you can't slag it off, please hit me with it...

60 replies

hobbgoblin · 14/04/2009 16:32

Had already decided on Rafferty, now the middle name:

Blanchard

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Poppity · 14/04/2009 17:26

I love Rafferty, but I agree with earlier post that Blanchard seems like trying to hard. I think an interesting name balances better with a simple name.

Rafferty Bob I like

I have to say Blanchard sounds more like a girls name as it would shorten to Blanch, although I don't like to criticize name choices.

Amapoleon · 14/04/2009 17:20

I don't like either name to be honest, although Rafferty is slightly better. Also it will get shortened to Raff.

Also without meaning to be hurtful, will you tell him that you chose his name because of the circumstances? That's quite a big thing to hang on a kid.

itchyandscratchy · 14/04/2009 17:18

just keep thinking about Deirdre's mum.

Rafferty is nice and unusual enough I would say. Blanchard sounds

ugly

queeny

pretentious

(sorry)

IheartEASTEREGGS · 14/04/2009 17:15

I really like your idea of an unusual middle name that has a meaning of survival or strength.
I dont like Blanchard though, sorry.

Is there any historical figure that sums up 'fighting spirit and survival' for you that you could borrow a name from as your DS's middle name?

Are you set on Rafferty as well? I do like Raffy as a nickname - have you thought about Raphael as an alternative full name?

Ronaldinhio · 14/04/2009 17:14

not Blanchard

slowreadingprogress · 14/04/2009 17:09

yes Rafferty is a lovely name

Blanchard after it is I think a real jarring note. Rafferty is bright, lively, stylish - Blanchard is clunking and ugly.

LastOrders · 14/04/2009 17:06

Rafferty - good. I like that quite a lot.

Blanchard - non.

The first thing that sprang to mind was that American sitcom - Golden Girls. Sorry.

Would agree with a classic in the middle - Jack, James, etc

JustKeepSwimmingInChocolate · 14/04/2009 17:03

Rafferty - yes

Blanchard - no

(did some family tree for someone a while back with lots of Blanchards, as a surname. if it was your surname and you wanted to pass it on then maybe.)

janeite · 14/04/2009 17:01

Rafferty is fine. Blanchard is terrible imho, sorry.

SoupDragon · 14/04/2009 17:00

Don't like blanchard at all.

As an aside, the father of one of DS1's friends is a Piers and he's a cab driver.

LuluisgoingtobeanAunty · 14/04/2009 16:58

love rafferty and all the permutations and shortenings

blanchard.. you will spend your whole life justifying it. i understand why you have chosen it , but it smacks of 'trying way too hard'

Dottoressa · 14/04/2009 16:55

I think it is a superb combo. Go for it!

TheFallenMadonna · 14/04/2009 16:54

Rafferty and Blanchard don't seem to "go" at all to me. If that bothers you. Perhaps you're going for contrast rather than coherence.

Original poster
hobbgoblin · 14/04/2009 16:54

I quite like Rafferty Bob

Surname is 5 letters, one syllable and begins with H. Not common, common but not, um, extravagant sounding at all.

OP posts:
pointydog · 14/04/2009 16:53

Blanchard just doesn't sound like a name to me. It does n't sound liek aythign

pooka · 14/04/2009 16:53

Oh right - rationale....

It just sounds a bit frou-frou to me - like a champion pedigree poodle rather than a Great Dane or a St. Bernard IWSWIM.

The blanchard bit is what takes it from "hmm.. interesting" to "no no" IMO.

Looking for fighting names? Sure there are others out there that actually sound like fighting names rather than a bit Lord Fauntleroy.

this site lets you search by meaning, including warrior or strong

muggglewump · 14/04/2009 16:51

I really, really like Rafferty.

everGreensleeves · 14/04/2009 16:51

You could have Raphael or Ralph and use Raffy for short

I hardly ever say anything negative on these threads as I think it's mean - but I have to say I'm not keen on Blanchard. It sounds like a breed of pig.

TheFallenMadonna · 14/04/2009 16:49

Please let your surname be Smith...

melpomene · 14/04/2009 16:49

Sorry, but I'm not keen on Blanchard at all. I don't think it's a strong name - it makes me think of blanched almonds, all pale and wishy washy. I think an unusual name such as Rafferty would work better with a more conventional middle name. Rafferty James? Rafferty Jack?

Original poster
hobbgoblin · 14/04/2009 16:48

sheet? I mean, sheer.

OP posts:
Original poster
hobbgoblin · 14/04/2009 16:47

Exdp has suggested Piers but he thinks he needs to be ultra posh to carry it off. I disagree because I won't attach status to a name in that way, but it wouldn't sit 100 percent with exdp even though it's his best suggestion.

I like the Irish element, I want some reference to his fighting ability in terms of surviving what I put him through.

They're the only criteria really.

Quite want a middle name that one wouldn't dare use as a first name because of sheet unusualness.

OP posts:
HecatesTwopenceworth · 14/04/2009 16:46

A bit black your friend is weird.

What does your partner think of the name?

It's up to you, of course, but you might like to add a few other names to your shortlist and make the final decision when he's born.

pginthecloset · 14/04/2009 16:45

I think both names sound like surnames, thats why I'm not keen.

HecatesTwopenceworth · 14/04/2009 16:44

Is this for a baby? A human baby?

erm. You want opinions? It's not to my taste, but your choice and as long as you like it, nothing else matters.

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