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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Rafe or Ralph?

42 replies

GemmaJem · 28/12/2019 19:58

We are having surprise #5 in February, a boy. We like the names Rafe and Ralph currently, interested to know which you prefer?

Side note: I know Ralph can be pronounced Rafe, but we’d pronounce it as spelt if we chose that one, for simplicity’s sake.

Siblings are Joss, Flynn, Annie and Clover.

Thank you!

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RollingOutOfBed · 28/12/2019 20:27

Definitely Rafe. Ralph is a very unattractive name.

dementedma · 28/12/2019 20:30

Ralph. Rafe is pretentious

CaptainMyCaptain · 28/12/2019 20:31

I agree with dementedma.

PlantPotting · 29/12/2019 01:08

Ralph

Elindab · 29/12/2019 01:09

Rafael. Rafi for short.

Poorolddaddypig · 29/12/2019 01:11

Rafe for sure

TildaTurnip · 29/12/2019 01:12

Rafe.

Ralph isn’t as nice IMO plus Judy Blume ruined it further.

alexdgr8 · 29/12/2019 01:13

I don't like either but if you must, Raphael is much better than either.

Ellecrawford · 29/12/2019 01:14

Ralph is cute x

DramaAlpaca · 29/12/2019 01:14

I agree with RollingOutOfBed. There's nothing remotely attractive about Ralph.

Mumoftwoyoungkids · 29/12/2019 01:17

Ralph isn’t as nice IMO plus Judy Blume ruined it further.

This.

There is an entire generation of people who see the name Ralph and immediately think “penis”.

I like Raf. (Short for Raphael.)

NannyR · 29/12/2019 01:19

I like Rafe best, Raffi/Raffy (Rafael or Rafferty) is nice too and would go well with sibling names. Ralph reminds me of Judy Blume too but I think that is a generational thing - his peers probably won't even have heard of that book.

Original poster
GemmaJem · 29/12/2019 08:11

I don’t know the book but I do slightly prefer Rafe... I think! Husband is the opposite. We’re not sure which “goes” best, or if it matters at all. There’s quite a gap between this baby and our current youngest so I think that’s making it more difficult.

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Sharonthetotallyinsane · 29/12/2019 08:13

Rafe.

Whatsyourflava · 29/12/2019 08:50

I prefer Ralph - gorgeous name

I also like Rafferty /Raffy

Clettercletterthatsbetter · 29/12/2019 09:17

I think Rafe goes much better with your other DCs’ names

Modernhistorybuff · 29/12/2019 09:28

Rafe.

MyNameHasBeenTaken · 31/12/2019 23:47

Rafe.
I know a lovely teen rafe.

JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff · 31/12/2019 23:50

Rafe.

FluffyEggsontoast · 31/12/2019 23:50

Ralph

Sushiroller · 01/01/2020 00:25

Rafe.

Cohle · 01/01/2020 00:31

Ralph is slang for vomiting. Which puts me off a bit.

Bonkersblond · 01/01/2020 00:32

I prefer Rafa, I know of one.

Astronica · 01/01/2020 01:38

Both great but Rafe is a real favourite of mine so would be my first choice. I feel Rafe is cooler in some way. BTW I love your kids' names and think either Ralph or Rafe will be great with them!

Original poster
GemmaJem · 01/01/2020 10:12

I think we’re leaning towards Rafe... I do love Rafa though!

DH also loves Peter (his late father’s name), and it’s growing on me. What does everyone think of Peter as a first name? Otherwise it will probably be Rafe/Ralph Peter.

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