Ralph

[JemimaTiggywinkle]

How would you pronounce Ralph?

Like Ralf. I know some may pronounce it Rayf but I would presume 99% of people would say Ralf and thats only going to get more likely as it moves higher in the ONS lists, it seems to be the name of every other boy where I live.

Ralf

There’s two ways. Ra L F as in like Ralph Little or Ralph Lauren or Rafe as in Ralph Fiennes. I’d definitely pronounce it like Ralph Little/Ralph Lauren does though.

Like the sound of a dog throwing up

Ralf, not Rafe.

Anyone read 'Forever' by Judy Bloom as an impressionable teen?

@AyeCorona1

Anyone read 'Forever' by Judy Bloom as an impressionable teen?

that was my thought

Ralf

Judy Blume!

@AyeCorona1

Anyone read 'Forever' by Judy Bloom as an impressionable teen?

Apparently none if the parents near me I genuinely dont understand how its grown so popular. I thought the reference might put people off as it's quite well known but it appears I was wrong.

Everytime I hear the name in the playground I just think 'penis'!!

Oh crumbs not all this penis stuff again. Ralph is a top 100 name now. No one reads Judy Bloom these days. I'm sure people's penis' have all sorts of human names!

On Mumsnet I keep hearing this penis stuff about the names Percy and Woody too, both names are climbing the charts massively. Still rare but on huge upswings. Yet many here seem horrified the names even being considered. I think we're a bit behind the times on mumsnet!

I'd pronounce Ralph like Ralph Little
I like the name but it does feel more popular than it actually is as there's quite a few Rafe Rafferty Raphael's appearing ... plus R names in general climbing the boy charts so I personally would avoid them but not a concern for some so depends what concerns you or not.

The “correct” pronunciation of Ralph is “Rafe”. Saying Ralf is a bit like pronouncing Magdalen College as Mag-da-len. But these days, not many people would think of Ralf as being incorrect. The incorrect pronunciation has become a name in its own right. But when I read Ralph, I say Rafe.

I’m in the Ralf camp.. so am pleased to see the majority are too.

Judy Blume was a little before my time, so don’t think penis considerations will be an issue for the next generation. (I would draw the line at Woody though). On a separate note, a friend told me that in her household, kindling for the fire was innocently referred to as “morning wood”

🤣 @JemimaTiggywinkle
Do you think you'll stick with Ralph then? Nice choice! Let us know when he arrives xx

@Whatsyourflava it’s definitely my top boy name... but pregnancy is very early on, so don’t know what we’re having yet. I already had a top girl name, so feel better having a top boy name too.

The “correct” pronunciation of Ralph is “Rafe”.

According to who?

I know several Ralphs/Ralfs and all pronounce it Ralf.

@Pippilangstrumpfie

The “correct” pronunciation of Ralph is “Rafe”.

According to who?

I know several Ralphs/Ralfs and all pronounce it Ralf.

I was wondering that. Other than Ralph Feinnes, I've only ever heard it pronounced Ralf. Wiki implies that Rafe is unusual.

I love the name Ralph. Great choice x

According to whom.

Rafe

I really like Ralph too and considering it for baby boy due in a few weeks. Deciding between that and one other name.
Glad to hear are others who agree is a good name too - I’ve read a load of negative things on other threads re Judy Blume and things and don’t really get it x

I would pronounce ralf

According to whom.

Thanks for correcting me. I'm not a native English speaker