Honest views on Ralf....

[legallyblond]

I'm pregnant with twins who are arriving in 10 days.... if its two boys (we don't know the sexes), first boy will be Hugo, and for the second we had decided on Ralf.

To be pronounced as it is spelt (ie not Rafe)...

I am wavering. I love the name, but....

1. Will we have a constant mispronunciation issue (we thought less chance of the "Rafe" mistake with Ralf, as opposed to Ralph)? How would you pronounce "Ralf" if you saw it?

1. I love it, but is it a "dog's name"?!? Will there be constant "I had a dog named Ralph" etc... Not sure why I think this!

Argh!

I like Ralf - but I do prefer Raif.

It reminds me of sexy Ben Affleck in Pearl Harbour!! Yummy!!!

What about Rafferty? Goes really well with Hugo, and can be shortened to Raff, which gives a very similar sound.

Lovely names OP. Ignore the negative comments, I've never read Judy Blume, nor have my friends (I think that is the previous generation). 13 months on and we have only had comments liking our Ralph's name. As someone sensible further up the thread said, there could be funny jokes, negative connotations and funny people connected to most names, but most of us don't think of them.

'there could be funny jokes, negative connotations and funny people connected to most names, but most of us don't think of them.'

I'd change that to 'most of us don't mention them'. I'm not referring to Ralph in particular here but to names in general. I'd certainly never mention my negative thoughts about a child's name to the parents, that would be beyond rude. But I'd think them.

I like Ralph, not Ralf :) We almost called our Westie that... (not being funny!) :)

Another one who associates it with the penis of the male lead in Forever!
But looks like you have already made up your mind

Awful. Unattractive,and there's the vomiting association.

I really like it. I have seen 2 babies called Ralph (spelt ph) this year (1 up north and 1 down south mind) so wonder if its making a comeback.

I see Ralf - as Ralf and not Rafe. I would not even think Rafe.

I knew a very nice Hugo and Ralph at university who were good friends, I think the names go well together for brothers. I have never heard of any links to willies or vomit or known any dogs called Ralph... I did know one pronounced as Raif but I would always assume it was said as it looks unless corrected.

I like Ralf. Either spelling too Ralf/Ralph but think I prefer Ralf actually

Judy Blume's book came to me too, sorry!

I do genuinely appreciate the feedback! Judy Blume really does mean nothing to me... I do remember the name of the author, but don't recall ever reading any of her books, or certainly they didn't make any more if an impact than any of the other four books a week I would have got out of the library.... Am I too young / old? I'm 31....

And since posting here and on an earlier post, I have asked lots of RL people about Ralphing = vomiting, and no one (literally no one!) has heard of it... Again, generational, or perhaps regional (I'm from Westcountry, went to uni in London and Paris...)?

You're the perfect age for Ralph to be associated with the Judy Blume book. I'm a year older than you and it was banned at my school. Of course people then passed around illicit copies.

None of that matters though. Ralph is a great name and I'd imagine the majority won't think of JB. Even if they do. they'll soon just associate Ralph with your little ds.

Good luck with the twins!

I don't like it, I think of Ralf off the Simpsons, and also Ralf meaning 'barf' in some slang, and have a mental image of someone ineffectual, unfortunately

I like Ralph (pronounced Raiph) :)

Ralf and Hughie are both part of slang terms for vomiting!

I'm two years older than you and can still remember the page numbers of the rude bits in the Judy Blume book! However, I think Ralph is a great name and goes really well with Hugo.

www.dictionarycentral.com/definition/cry-ruth-hughie-ralph.html

Hugo and Ralf together

I remember Judy Blume and read a few of her books but I don't remember a naughty one associated with the name Ralph though. I feel like I missed out on something

I really like the name Hugo, but am not keen on Ralf. I feel that Ralf will think that he drew the short straw when it came to being named - sorry!

Are there any other names that you are considering?

Good luck with your twins

I like Ralf - classic, cool and not overused. Also love Valentina!

Ralph & hugo are lovely names. Not so keen on the spelling Ralf though.

I always think of Judy Blume when I hear this name! I wouldn't ever go for an unusual spelling either. Over the last year or so, I have taught an Aimee, a Michal, a Lukas, a Josef, a Pollie and a Yasmeen-they can be hard to get your head round and when Christmas comes and they are writing each other cards-they always plump for the more usual spelling. I much prefer the more traditional spellings.

Yes, I immediately thought of judy Blume and Ralph the penis. Sorry,,