Active discussions

Help end medical misogyny. Sign our petition.

Help end medical misogyny.
Sign our petition.

Sign the petition

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Ralph

31 replies

WhatToCallIt · 05/04/2011 21:59

DC1 due in 4 weeks please help!

I've read the archives and the consensus on Ralph seems to be A) Judy Blume, or B) in some places means to be sick. I could live with either of these as I like the name and they are time/slang dependant.

I really like the name though Dh isn't keen. Please can you help by telling me what you think/what stereotypes you think when you hear the name, apart from the above. And whether you like it or not, or any views other than Judy Blume/vomit. (God that sounds bad!)

TIA

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
smother · 05/04/2011 22:01

Sorry I can't get beyond the Judy Blume connection....but if I try, I have to be honest and say it is a hideous name whatever way you look at it (very sorry but you did ask)

Original poster
WhatToCallIt · 05/04/2011 22:01

Oh, and , do you know any Ralphs? If so, what kind of child/what age are they?

OP posts:
smother · 05/04/2011 22:02

I know someone with a little DS named Ralph (her DH pressured her into using the name) and it is a standing joke amongst her friends (again, sorry but you did ask)

Original poster
WhatToCallIt · 05/04/2011 22:04

smother, oh dear. Well as you say I did ask so thanks for your view Smile

hmm, maybe i can grasp at straws and ask your geographical location?

OP posts:
smother · 05/04/2011 22:05

Feel really bad now.... if you like the name, go for it! please don't let the thoughts of a random stranger put you off in any way at all.

Grumpla · 05/04/2011 22:08

They probably don't even read Judy Blume at school anymore, but you WILL have to put up with the smirks of mothers.

Sorry.

SolarPanel · 05/04/2011 22:12

Sorry but I don't like it.

notanumber · 05/04/2011 23:02

No. It just says 'penis' to me. Sorry.

Having said that, my DS has a stuffed toy called Ralph. It made me laugh at first, but now it is just a name to us.

If you like it then go for it. It will only be willyish for a few weeks then it'll just be what he's called. Expect jokes in the playground though (from the mums, obviously - babies can't read)

LetThereBeRock · 05/04/2011 23:17

Besides vomiting and genitals,it makes me think of the dim one from The Simpsons. It's a truly terrible name,unless pronounced as 'Rafe'.

deemented · 05/04/2011 23:20

A line from my favorite film...

'There goes a transsexual, last seen heading South. We called him Bernie, but his real name was Ralph'

I like it Smile

Tillylove · 06/04/2011 09:46

I think it is a cute name. I really like Ralphie too. x

Original poster
WhatToCallIt · 06/04/2011 12:04

Thanks for your comments, I hadn't thought of the Simpsons.

I like Ralphie too. And of course this thread hasn't attracted that many people saying what a godawful name so I take from that that many people thought it was unremarkable which is ok for a name. I think it's still on my shortlist, though I would have to work on DH (not that he's got any better ideas!).

OP posts:
GooseyLoosey · 06/04/2011 12:06

My grandfather was called Ralph, but all his life he was known as Rafe. Like Rafe, not keen on Ralph.

DumSpiroSpero · 06/04/2011 12:11

Ralph makes me think of this.

The character played by the delightful Richard Armitage is Ralph (although known as John) as he's a sweetie Smile (although the story itself is quite grim)

LadyVenetia · 06/04/2011 19:24

Maybe Ralph, but pronounced Raif?

FollowMe · 06/04/2011 19:30

It's grim, sorry

stressedbutluvem · 11/04/2011 20:52

Drab boring very wimpy middle aged man with a limp handshake. Sorry,
but then you woudl probably hate names i like. Thats what makes the world go round.

candleshoe · 11/04/2011 20:54

Isn't 'Ralph' the noise you make when you are being sick? ...

on the otherhand I know a nice little boy who is called Ralfie.

seeker · 11/04/2011 20:57

'I could live with either of these as I like the name and they are time/slang dependant. '

but you don't have to live with it, do you? Your ds will have to.

People still read Judy Blume. And still use it to mean vomit.

NettoSuperstar · 11/04/2011 21:02

I just think penis.
Rafe is nice though.

ResurrectionByChocolate · 11/04/2011 21:13

I like it - unusual and therefore distinctive, but not outlandish.

messagetoyourudy · 11/04/2011 21:15

I really really like it! It was on my short list but can't quite remember why it didn't get chosen. Ralph Little is a cool actor. Strong name on its own, I don't like Ralphie though too cutesy.

I read Judy Blume but cant remeber the Ralph usage.

candleshoe · 11/04/2011 21:20

Name of a male character's Willy in 'Forever' or 'Blubber' I think?

flyingspaghettimonster · 11/04/2011 23:53

I love the name, it was on my list, we rejected because everyone said it was a) puking b) fat kid in Simpsons. Turned out our son looks a lot like the Simpsons kid only not fat, so it is a good job we didn't go with it. Can you wait and see what the baby looks like?

notanumber · 12/04/2011 00:01

messagetoyourudy - How have you read Judy Blume yet do not know that Ralph is the name that Katharine and Michael give to his knob in Forever?

I thought you weren't allowed to graduate from puberty until this fact was scored indelibly on your memory.