Is this a bit pretentious?

[LJBanana]

Currently 39+ 4 and still have no names. We don't know what we are having, currently have 2 boys. We think we have a girls name but what do you think of the name Rafe-as in Fiennes or Spall?
Immediately I think it might be a bit pretentious, but the more I say it.......

it is OK really, not too pretentious no, classic innit

I like it. Are you planning to spell it Rafe? One potentially confusing factor is that some Ralphs pronounce their name Rafe eg Ralph Fiennes. (Though a colleague of mine met him years ago, and swears he introduced himself as Ralph (pronounced as spelled), not Rafe...)

yes Ralph is pron. Rafe by 'posh' people.
would spell it Rafe to avoid confusion.

It's gorgeous.

I love it such a good name and very underused

I like it - but please spell it Rafe, otherwise he will spend his entire life correctly spelling/pronunciation!

Oooh I didn't realise it's spelt in different ways. I just watched 'One Day' last night and saw Rafe Spall in the credits,as you do when you've no names at this point read all the credits!! I think I would spell it Rafe as we have a surname which constantly gets Mis pronounced, so 2 names being Mis pronounced might become a bit much.
The 'posh' factor makes me think it might be a bit pretentious as this has always been my first thought. And we certainly aren't posh!!

I don't think 'Rafe' has any posh connotations at all - certainly Rafe Spall isn't - it's 'Ralph-pronounced-Rafe' that does have UC associations, historically. Ralph Fiennes' full surname is Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes.

Ralph Fiennes' full surname is Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes no it is not, I used to know his brother, those are some distant cousins i think

I love Ralph.

You can spell it Raef too.

oops wrong sorry

Rafe was our boys name, love it

I like it and don't think it's pretentious at all.

Oddly enough it's Rafe Spall's birthday today (I was on IMDB before coming here!)

Nice when short for Raphael/Rafael

I love Raphael, but that's for my next life when I'm married to a rich Italian.
I don't think I can get away with it, the mix of Lancashire/ Scousers sort of tinges the way it will be said some what. I am really liking Rafe however. I haven't had a name yet that I think I will be sad not to use if it's the opposite sex, and I think I feel like this about Rafe. Plus it must be fate that it's Rafe Spall's birthday-this obviously means I will go into labour immediately too!!

As long as your baby doesn't look like Rafe Spall!

Sorry Mr Spall if you're reading.

I really like Rafe but I don't like Ralph at all, so if you have it make sure you spell it Rafe. I'm never quite sure whether Rafe is an alternative/posh pronunciation of Ralph, or a NN for it, like Jack is for John. But if in doubt just have Rafe.

Yeah hopefully he won't look like the birthday boy, especially in last nights film!
This is my fear that it's a posh Ralph. I would spell it Rafe though. I've just been to the park with my other son and pretended in my head I was calling both names and how they sounded etc.

I know a Raphael nn Raffa who is very gorgeous and not posh and a Ralph pronounced Ralf ditto. I think Rafe is lovely :)

It's going on the list!
Well there is no list so it's the one and only contender. Now I need a 2 syllable middle name to balance out one syllable first and last names. I'm going to by pass Stirling, I think you feel so strongly about it, it would be unfair for me to take it!!

It's going on the list!
Well there is no list so it's the one and only contender. Now I need a 2 syllable middle name to balance out one syllable first and last names. I'm going to by pass Stirling, I think you feel so strongly about it, it would be unfair for me to take it!!

I have a 4 month old Rafe. It's a great name!

I love Rafe. Also love Rufus which is perhaps easier to spell/pronounce? Raphael (nn Rafi or Rafa) and Ralph also great, so there are some good choices.