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Baby names

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

Original poster

Thoughts on these boys names please

28 replies

jammydonut · 22/07/2009 08:12

Rafe
Rolf
Wilf

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Original poster
jammydonut · 22/07/2009 21:43

We're not bothering with middle names - can't see the point. If you like a name why not use it. And why give one name if you intend to use another. I understand the concept of childhood nicknames but it's naming someone James when your intention is to call them Jim that I don't get. Just call them Jim.

Anyway, thanks for the feedback.

OP posts:
notsoteenagemum · 22/07/2009 18:18

I don't like Wilf prefer Will or Fred

Rolf = Harris

Rafe (thought it was spelled Ralph) makes me think Apprentice or Pushy Mum from Little Britain

I like Ralph said Ralph though
or Ranulph with Ran as a nn.

LynetteScavo · 22/07/2009 17:59

I thought Rafe was Ralf said in a posh way?

Now, I like Ralf.

LynetteScavo · 22/07/2009 17:58

wilf is nice.

Rolf just makes me think of Rolf Harris

Rafe is frightfuly posh, so OK if you are frightfully posh yourself.

maggievirgo · 22/07/2009 17:56

What about just Raph (Raff), not Ralph (Rafe).

Rolf is horrible.

Wilf is OK. Sounds incomplete though. Not really grabbing me.

crokky · 22/07/2009 17:11

I don't like them (sorry!). If you like the names, you could use one as a middle name and pick a different first name.

teddygirl23 · 22/07/2009 16:46

i think wilf is nicest then rolf ,really dont like rafe. but choose what you love.

maniacbug · 22/07/2009 15:03

Love Wilf. Know a very cheeky almost-3-year-old (full name Wilfred but no one ever uses it, though at least he has that option in future) + it really suits him. Also makes him stand out from the legions of Wills we seem to know...

notagrannyyet · 22/07/2009 10:27

Depends a lot on the 'type' of people you are.
Rafe (I'd spell it Ralph) is OK. It's a bit like Sebastian I like it but couldn't choose it for my own DS because it's a bit too posh for the local comp.....you do have to think of these things.

Rolf, Wilfred, Albert, Ernest, Herbert etc. Maybe ok for middle names but not the one called out every morning for the school register.

Glynne · 22/07/2009 10:00

Wilf is great, I'd use Wilfred on birth cert though as 'official' name.

Rafe is nice, is that the right spelling though?

Not Rolf, particuarly if you're an Aussie. I also strangely find it hard to say.

Will is also great, cool and classic and Bruce is great too.

How about Bruno or Kit (short for Christopher?).

MadameCastafiore · 22/07/2009 09:56

No, No and Noooooooooooooooooooooo!

Cleanitlikebanksysmaid · 22/07/2009 09:53

Yes I love Will, Wilf sounds like Milf......

magbags · 22/07/2009 09:43

I think Wilf is ok but I personally much prefer Will. I think Hermione Norris (actress from Cold Feet) has a son called Wilf?

Rafe, I immediately think of the knob from The Apprentice and Rolf I think of Rolf Harris (would especially avoid given dh Australian).

piscesmoon · 22/07/2009 09:23

No, no and no.

MrsBadger · 22/07/2009 09:14

Bruce?

Cleanitlikebanksysmaid · 22/07/2009 09:12

None get my vote, sorry. All a bit pretentious for me I'm afraid.

MrsBadger · 22/07/2009 09:11

but I won't use them as given names

tis a personal opinion, which is what the OP asked for, non?

Original poster
jammydonut · 22/07/2009 09:10

But it's not a nickname if it's the given name!

OP posts:
MrsBadger · 22/07/2009 09:00

yes re Tom/Thomas

I don't do nicknames as given names - had a big row with DH re Alex vs Alexander

Original poster
jammydonut · 22/07/2009 08:58

My husband mentioned the guy off The Apprentice as being a problem...

Posh names aren't an issue but Rolf Harris might be, especially as my husband's an Aussie.

I don't see how Wilf is 'not a name'

Is Tom also not a name because it's often short for Thomas?

OP posts:
Fruityjuice · 22/07/2009 08:53

What about Raffy (sp?) short for Raphael?

MaybeAfterBreakfast · 22/07/2009 08:51

Like Wilf

Don't like Rafe/Raef - screams 'nice but dim' to me

abitclueless · 22/07/2009 08:46

Much prefer Ralph/Ralf to Rolf, Wilf is ok, Rafe just reminds me of that idiot off the apprentice

MrsBadger · 22/07/2009 08:43

Wilf is awful and not a name - it's short for Wilfred

Rafe is posh but passable if you are posh

Rolf is unusual but I can't immediately think of any downsides

Wolfgang, to be known as Wolf?

Ralph?

bodiddly · 22/07/2009 08:22

I like Rafe the best of the 3 but would probably spell it Raef.