What do you think of this name for baby due imminently?

[catlike1979]

39 weeks and not sure if boy or girl, have a girls name but for boy.....
Rafe Michael James Head.

I've posted on here recently asking for help with names - we both really like Rafe, but I'm not sure Rafe Head works (too short having both names one syllable?), but there are so many names that DON'T work with our surname. Michael and James have family connections but we don't want to use them as first names for various reasons but we love them as middle names.

Any comments? Or alternatives? Want to avoid the very overpopular names, please be honest and HELP because we're getting really stressed about it! Took us 6 weeks to name DS whilst in sleep deprived haze and really want to avoid that this time

I don't think Rafe Head is that bad, but both being one syllable names is not ideal, and does draw attention to the surname. I don't see a problem with Raphael - it's a name generally used in many countries.
Not Ben/Benjamin. The trouble with many nice 3 syllable names is that they will mostly be shortened to one syllable nicknames,
I think Raphael or Rufus would be really good.

I have only seen Rafe as a phonetic representation of one pronunciation of Ralph. The two children I know with that name pronounce it Ralf. I have never heard of Raif...
Raphael is lovely . He could be Rafe, Raff or Rapha.

Rafe makes me think of raphe and therefore perineal raphe.

The perineal raphe is a visible line or ridge of tissue on the human body that extends from the anus through the perineum. It is found in both males and females, and arises from the fusion of the urogenital folds.

Joseph Michael James Head (Joe)

Stephen/Steven Michael James Head

What is DS called?

I love Rafe.. if you like it, use it. He’ll rarely be called Rafe Head out loud.

As for people thinking it reminds them of rape or part of the anus, good grief. I think those people will be a significant minority. There’s a beaut of a little boy called Rafe in our toddler group & everyone loves his name. His mum gets compliments all the time about it! I do think he’s Rafael though full name..

Rafael is one of my fav names but I am with you on it sounding a bit too Spanish! That said, if we have a boy this time I’m considering Felix which reminds most people of cat food.. in fact, my cat eats Felix! But hey ho, I don’t care. It’s a solid name & I love it!

Anthony —Stewart—

Obviously

We had Lincoln, Clarke and Quentin on our list of boys names but settled with something completely different. We're not very fond of traditional names.

The perineal raphe is a visible line or ridge of tissue on the human body that extends from the <a class="break-all" href="http://go.mumsnet.com/?xs=1&id=470X1554755&url=en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anus" target="_blank">anuss* through the <a class="break-all" href="http://go.mumsnet.com/?xs=1&id=470X1554755&url=en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perineum" target="_blank">perineumm*. It is found in both males and females, and arises from the fusion of the urogenital folds.

How is that Raphe pronounced?

*Grufallosfriends
*
It would sound something like "Ray-fee"

I think with Head you have to go with something traditional with more than one syllable that cant be shortened.
James
George
Ethan
Alex
Jacob
Some names can be put with any surnames but with Head I would really think carefully about how they sound together and I would prioritise that rather than pick a first name you love but doesnt go with Head.

I think with the middle names, Rafe actually does work! Could maybe hyphenate it so it's Rafe-Michael?

Sorry to be no help but I actually just lolled at Fred Head

@RumpoleoftheBaileys of course!

I really don't like Rafe, I've never heard of it, it sounds like a nick name. I would go for Raphael as his actual name and u can shorten if u like.

Head isn’t awful at all although I can see why it is a bit tricky - would love to know what your maiden name is. I know people who have merged 2 surnames. For example Gibson & Smith can become Gibsmith rather than having to choose one or the other or having long double barrelled names. It wouldn’t work for all combinations but it’s worth considering.

I prefer Raphael Head with Rafe as a nickname but I don’t think Rafe is a no go at all. And god knows how people are hearing things about anuses and rape !

Or even just taking the first initial of your maiden name: Lead / Read / Mead completely change the surname Head

'Rafe' should be spelled 'Ralph'.

Ralph (pronounced /rælf/ RALF; or, more rarely, /reɪf/ RAYF) is an English, Irish, Scottish, Dutch, Scandinavian, and German masculine given name, derived from the Old Norse Raðulfr (rað "counsel" and ulfr "wolf") through Old English Rædwulf and the longer form Radulf.

I think it's a lovely name. I wouldn't worry about the surname, I grew up with an unusual and somewhat unfortunate first and last name and I don't think I've ever been teased about it.
If a child is going to be bullied their name won't make a difference in my opinion!
My son is called Humphrey and we had a lot of pushback from friends and relatives about using that name but we love it and it suits him.
I regrt middle daughter's name, I felt I was pushed away from what I wanted and I wish I'd stood my ground. So if you love the name it's definitely worth sticking with it.

Alexander. Gets shortened to Alex or Zander, only very rarely to Al.

Perfect.

Agree with PP re Rafael (Rafe) Head. And the surname Head is no obstacle to anything. Anthony Head is one of the most gorgeous men ever born, and I dare say his surname has not been a bother to him.

I have a Humphrey too, Giringreen! Humphreys are brilliant!!

I think your surname is getting a bad rep OP. I genuinely don't think it's that bad or unusual.

I think you're best to go for longer syllable names. Joshua, Jacob (Jake works), Cameron, Reuben.

Hope all goes well with baby and let us know what you decide.

To second the PP above I love Alexander. It does well with Head too.

I love Alexander but my nephew is Alexander and we're fairly close as a family so couldn't use it. Also not so keen on the inevitable Alex shortening as we know lots of Alex's!

Okay - how about Raphael Michael James Head? It does sound better than Rafe when written down, but could shorten to Rafe or Rafi or Rafa at home..... DH seems happy with this too. Also could possibly work with my maiden name if we do the big changeover!