Rafe

[2017parenttobe]

Hi

Just wondering how this name is pronounced, is it 'rayf'?

Thanks!

All the babies i have heard with that sound like ra-fee

Can also be spelled Ralph, like Ralph Fiennes.

Is it ever an abbreviation for Raphael?

Yes, I'd say it "rayf". I really like it!

Can be a name in its own right, or a nickname for Raphael, Ralph, Rafferty, etc.

Yes I've only ever heard it as rayf. I love it.

Thanks! Thinking of having it on our shortlist for boys names. Think it's not extremely common and not too complicated.

I saw it on urban dictionary, as far as I'm aware I didn't realise it was slang for anything?

Someone just told me it reminds them of 'rape', do others think that?

Not at all, sounds far fetched to me.

Not sure on the spelling Raife or Rafe. Which looks better?

Sorry OP but my immediate thought was it sounds like 'rape'. (I have just read a thread on the subject though) I don't like it.

I really like it. There was an Apprentice candidate called Raif (not sure of spelling). He was quite funny.

I know a Rafe who's 11, and have always thought it's a lovely name. Pronounced Ray-f

...just Googled...he was Raef, short for Raphael as has been mentioned above...🙂

It's spelt Ralph, pronounced Rafe, normally

My ds is Raphael and is called Rafe/Rafa/Buggerlugs frequently.

Looks like a typo of rape to me, and the pronunciation "rayf" does nothing to detract from that.

I'm afraid people will think rape. That's why I'm considering an alternative spelling. I'm not keen on the Ralph spelling because I know that everyone where I live will say 'ralf'

I look after a Rafe (Ray-F) and his friend Rafe is pronounced the same :)

Yep pronounced Rayf

I immediately hear 'rape'. I don't think a variation on spelling will make any difference if it sounds like the word rape. 'Raffi' is cool.

Some people spell it Ralph - eg Ralph Fiennes - but this can always be pronounced the other way too

Rafe Spall is an actor who spells it with the F

I really like it, on its own or as a nickname

Would never make me think of Rape

Rape was my first thought too. But Ralph (Fiennes) never makes me think of that.

I've known a couple of them, and also several pronounced Ralph. I don't like the Rafe version because it does sound like rape.

I like it. I would say "Rayf" but it wouldn't remind me of "rape" at all.

I think I'm going to go with Raife, I love it. It does put me off that some people think rape but oh well, people always have an opinion on different names! :)

PS if you love it, go for it! I've never seen it spelled Raife though...?