Rafe or Flynn

[countrystumpkin]

Which do you prefer?

Our other two children's names 'go' with these names. Do you have any other names that are similar - for boy and girl?

Both nice. Prefer Rafe though I think! Do you have middle name options for both?

Think I could b biased, but I would say Flynn 😁 I am actually expecting DC2, don't know the gender yet but I suggested Rafe to my partner. Unfortunately, I live in a place with quite a harsh accent so sometimes can sound like the F is a P. We have had to rule it out but I think it is nice too x

I absolutely love Rafe, it was on our list until we saw how much it climbed in the charts last year - from 328 in 2018 to 118 in 2019. I worry it will be top 100 soon (which might not matter a bit to you! I'm possibly weird like that). It's a lovely name.

I just get old man vibes (and not necessarily cool ones) from Flynn.

@elfran yes I see why you're concerned. Rafe is popular in its own right plus a load of similar names getting popular at the same time. Ralph Raphael Rafferty all climbing and often get shortened to Rafe or similar.

I love Flynn

@moonriver32 no middle names set in stone as of yet so definitely have the option to use both in some way. I was debating using Arthur as a middle name because it's been my favourite boys name forever but has now become too popular 😬

@elfran popularity has always been an obstacle for me with names. I grew up with five James' in my class and never wanted that (although obviously I know it could end up that way regardless). My eldest is in the 300s I think and the youngest in the 200s. Haven't met another yet 🤞🏼

@countrystumpkin maybe you would prefer a more unusual name than Rafe then OP given your other children's names being pretty unusual? I actually have never met a Rafe but know a load of Raffys round here so I imagine you'll find the same that you come across this name a lot. I assume all the Raffys round here's full names are a mix of Rafferty Raphael Rafe and Ralph.

@Flymetothestars it may be a regional thing as I don't know any Rafe's either. But that doesn't mean they're not there, they might just not go to the same parks as us 😂

I will keep looking though. My husband is quite picky and these are the only two of a very long list that he likes

Flynn, I really don't like Rafe (sorry!)

Flynn Arthur was our top choice if we had a boy but we had a girl!! Great name! Rafe was also third on our list! Other names we had Stanley, Wilbur, Winston, Wilfred, Rowen, Robin. But my vote goes for Flynn!

Flynn! Rafe is naff

Rafe. Flynn has such an unpleasant sound.

@Flymetothestars Yup, and when you factor in the Raifs, Raifes and those Ralphs from very posh/traditional families who will have their names pronounced Rafe, it probably is a much more popular "sound" than the stats show. I don't know of any personally, but this is my first baby and only a few of my friends have kids so really, what do I know.

@countrystumpkin It's so tricky isn't it, we're all looking for something well-liked but underused, so certain names/sounds get popular all at once. I will probably just have to suck it up and agree on something moderately popular with my DH. In some ways, better to have something that's been holding steady just out of the top 100 for years than a little-known name that might skyrocket!

On reflection, Flynn has now rather grown on me!

I prefer Rafe. Rafe and Flynn seem radically different names to me, almost at opposite ends of the scale. I’m surprised anyone would have them both on their list.

@daisypond oh god really?! I thought they went together well 😬 what sort of 'categories' do you think they each fall into?

Probably Flynn.
Have you considered Glynn, Ralph or Flyfe?

I don't think they are that radically different I had them both top of my list: Rafe from Hilary Mantels books Wolf Hall etc and Flynn from Errol Flynn and Tangled

Not keen on either. Rafe a different spelling of Ralph, so there is a possibility of it being misspelt. There are lots of R names around now.
Flynn is a bit too similar to Finn and Finley, both are popular.

I prefer Flynn of the two. Finn is great but a bad boy name.

Flynn is nice but a bit dull to me, while I find Rafe very cool.