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Baby names

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

What do you think of Rafe?

42 replies

QueenMercury · 25/02/2010 14:27

I have just found out I'm having a boy, my dp has suggested Rafe, I like it but I'm not 100% sure, my other ds's are Harry and Freddie, quite plain names, I suppose I'm just concerned Rafe is a bit too different compared to their names!

All opinions welcome

OP posts:
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reelingintheyears · 02/02/2011 20:37

Oh i'm sorry.....

Hideous.

AllieW · 02/02/2011 19:09

This thread does date from LAST Feb, though. Suspect the OP has made up her mind!!

Edmundo · 02/02/2011 19:08

Don't like. Agree that it's pretentious.

pointylug · 02/02/2011 19:02

Don't like it at all.

strawberrylion · 02/02/2011 18:57

What about Rafferty [Sadie Frost/Just Law] that can be nn Raff?!

Ragwort · 02/02/2011 13:12

No, really don't like it, too arty/poncey.

jimper · 02/02/2011 13:09

Is this Rafe (Ray-fe) or Rafe (Ra-fee)? I love the second one, and know a few boys of that pronunciation (although all of them have south-east Asian backgrounds) :)

BeattieBow · 02/02/2011 13:00

I really like Rafe short for Raphael.

I have known a Ralph whose name was pronounced Rafe, and I think he spent alot of time correcting people. He was very posh too.

I would worry about having a Raphael with my surname which is particularly bland/english sounding, and anyway, I think my dh would veto it. But I like it!

Rozeeglow · 02/02/2011 12:52

For what its worth Rafe is on my short list. I always thought it was Irish - the pet name of Rafferty which I also quite like.

Highlandgirl · 07/12/2010 10:48

LOVE Rafe...DH has said no.

Spell and pronounce it 'Rafe'

Harry, Freddie and Rafe..brilliant!

What about:
Wilf
Sebastian
Charlie

tammytoby · 07/12/2010 09:16

I know a lot of Ralphs/Ralfs and not a single one pronounces his name 'Rafe'. They all pronounce it Ralf.

Certainly outside of the UK Ralph is pronounced Ralf!

GrimmaTheNome · 07/12/2010 08:32

I always thought 'Ralf' was the normal pronunciation of Ralph and 'Rafe' was for pretentious artsy types. I knew a few middle-aged 'Ralfs' when I was growing up, guess it was a popular name in a certain era.

IHeartKingThistle · 07/12/2010 08:26

I know a Raif if that helps! Lovely boy too.

Acanthus · 07/12/2010 08:23

You can only spell it Raefe if you want a made up name, though Grin

KittyKuddle · 07/12/2010 08:21

My son is named Rafe and never looked back once, it suits him soooo much. 100% pleased we did.

luciemule · 25/02/2010 21:41

Can also spell it Raefe (little boy in DCs school is called it).

Jenbot · 25/02/2010 21:35

Rafe makes me boak slightly (sorry!)

5DollarShake · 25/02/2010 21:32

I automatically think of talking to Ralph on the big white phone.

redwhiteandblue · 25/02/2010 20:55

If I'd had a ds would have called him Rafe - love it

Would not have called him Ralph pronounced however because of the Judy Blume connotations

redwhiteandblue · 25/02/2010 20:53

If I'd had a ds would have called him Rafe - love it

Would not have called him Ralph pronounced however because of the Judy Blume connotations

theminniebobble · 25/02/2010 20:31

Ralph pronounced Rafe is my dad's favourite name. He was gutted that we didn't call DS that. I think that it's what John Simpson's son is called.

Ralph pronounced as it's written is the name that one of the characters gives to his willy in Judy Blume's "Forever." A book that was strictly banned at my convent-esque school but never failed to cause a frisson of excitement! I don't think that I could go with the name for that reason.

Flightattendant · 25/02/2010 20:23

erk

Flightattendant · 25/02/2010 20:22

Sorry but isn't it anatomically rather, erm,

I mean it's part of the penis or something isn't it?

deaddei · 25/02/2010 20:18

Rafe conjures up pale young Englishman, whoambles through life living on trust fund.
Sorry, personally it's in the same league as Rupert and Jonty.

Kingsroadie · 25/02/2010 20:12

Woops - just seen your post OP - ignore me!