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Original poster

A couple of unusual ones

22 replies

lilyb84 · 03/12/2015 14:26

Okay, so the first isn't massively unusual but isn't exactly on the top 100 list: Ralph. What do you think? DH really likes it, I think it's cute but not sure in practice whether it would be nice or just a bit odd...

The second is the odder one: Grover. It's currently the name we're using while baby's in utero, which stemmed from a delivery driver getting my husband's name wrong and calling him Grover. It's also a Muppets character I think (hang on, isn't Ralph as well?!). Only thing is I'm using it so much to refer to baby I'm worried it's going to stick - and DH actually thinks it's a great name.

Your thoughts and opinions welcome!

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Artandco · 03/12/2015 14:28

Ralph is very very common around here now ( London). Ds has 3 in his class of 18!

Grover = dog

Tiggeryoubastard · 03/12/2015 14:31

Ralph makes me think of Ralph Wickham.
Grover is fucking ridiculous, I would judge anyone that did that to a child immensely.

RiverTam · 03/12/2015 14:35

Ralph I'm not keen on, plus there's the endless palaver over how to pronounce it.

Grover doesn't sound like a name to me. I don't actually mind surnames being used as first names but that one just doesn't work for me.

So no to both. Sorry.

Lozza1990 · 03/12/2015 14:35

Honestly both sound like dog names to me Grin. Calling your baby Grover will stick it's literally how my DS' name came about, so I would stop that if you don't actually want to use it!

Original poster
lilyb84 · 03/12/2015 14:39

Agree with the both sounding a bit like dogs comments, although I don't get that quite so much from Ralph. I also don't know anyone who'd struggle with the pronunciation - until he publicly declared it was okay to pronounce it with the flat 'a', I was the one constantly pointing out to friends and family that Ralph Fiennes' name was pronounced 'Rafe', with most of them not believing me. Maybe it's a regional thing.

I'm not particularly seriously considering Grover but DH (and a few friends) have been so enthused about it I wasn't sure if I was maybe ignoring a potential name. Maybe we can keep it as a nickname Grin

OP posts:
MrsBungle · 03/12/2015 14:43

Ralph is nice. Not unusual really but nice. Grover is really terrible!

TheSecondViola · 03/12/2015 14:44

To some women of a certain age, Ralph is a synonym for penis.
Grover sounds very American. Like an 18th century president.

Artandco · 03/12/2015 14:54

All are pronounced 'rafe' around here

hobitty · 03/12/2015 14:59

Ralph is a good solid classic name that is well known but not over popular. I know only one Ralph under 10.

Grover is much more unusual and I don't know any with this name. But I could grow to really like it if associated with a lovely boy/man.

Lots of dogs/cats names are used for people including Oscar, Felix etc. That wouldn't worry me at all.

Tiggeryoubastard · 03/12/2015 14:59

It's Ralph here, not Rafe. And I'm a certain age, never heard it used for penis, though I have for vomiting.

hobitty · 03/12/2015 15:02

Never heard of any penis or vomit association... I don't think kids nowadays would either!

Tiggeryoubastard · 03/12/2015 15:03

I'm guessing they're both regional and confined to the past.

Original poster
lilyb84 · 03/12/2015 15:08

Ah yes, the Judy Blume link. I'd forgotten about that - never did like that book. But well pointed out TheSecondViola! Doubt DH will have heard of it and don't know how many of the later generations will be familiar with it...

hobitty I agree with growing to like anything when you associate it with a lovely person {smile}

OP posts:
RiverTam · 03/12/2015 15:10

Yes, I had a vague idea about the penis thing (44).

I know that Ralph Fiennes pronounces it Rafe but him saying that was the first time I'd come across that pronunciation (so mid 90s or whenever Schindler's List came out and we all had to admit that we fancied a Nazi) and even now, ever time I say 'Ralph I mean Rafe'.

Thetruthfairy · 03/12/2015 15:12

Ralph is lovely. I wouldn't let any of the above comments put you off.
Especially the dog name comments. Loads of dogs I know are called Ben, Lucy, Molly .....

LilyKing0909 · 03/12/2015 16:05

I like Ralph!

Original poster
lilyb84 · 03/12/2015 17:06

Feeling quite a lot of love for Ralph which is encouraging!

I think Grover will be relegated to nickname only...

OP posts:
Schmoochypoos · 03/12/2015 17:15

Ralph is lovely, I only know Grover from a muppets book we have and I thought it was a bit silly even for a muppet!

Slowjog · 03/12/2015 17:20

Like the first. Also Rafe and Wilf

Roomba · 03/12/2015 18:59

Grover was a Muppet or something from Sesame Street, wasn't he?

Oh no - it was from Fraggle Rock!

Ralph is quite cute though. But please don't call him Grover.

lljkk · 03/12/2015 19:08

They are both dog names. Ralph is especially awfully. It means vomit in American slang.

Oysterbabe · 05/12/2015 16:15

I know a Ralph who is 6.
I've never heard it pronounced Rafe. I've often heard it to mean puke.

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