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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

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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.

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