DS2 is now 10 days old but doesn’t have a name - Otto or Rafe

[Newdadadvice]

Hi All,
Our DS2 is now 10 days old and we haven’t been able to make a final decision on names! We’re looking for something that isn’t stupidly popular but also not too far off the beaten track. Our two final options are Otto and Rafe.

If it matters we’re based in SE England near London and surname is Carroll.

I’d welcome any opinions on either name - as we can’t pick between the two!

@JustYourAverageSue

I'd go with Rafe Otto Carroll (ROC) and then just call him Rocky 😃

Complete thread deviation but have you read The Hail Mary Project by Andy Weir?

You'd bloody love the name Rocky then .

It's a fab book (same author who wrote The Martian that was adapted for a film staring Matt Damon). This book is better and I'll bet good money on it being made into a cracking movie .

Leo Elliott Carroll sounds marvellous

Leonardo Carroll sounds banging!

As you’ve got with your Benjamin, 3-syllable names would sound lovely with Carroll.

Christopher
Oliver
William
Julian
Rafferty

I'd go with Theo. That goes lovely with Benji.

Neither are my taste, but of the two I definitely prefer Rafe (plus it sounds better with your surname too imo). Otto is a bit comedic sounding German stereotype to me, sorry. If you love less common - O ending names then I prefer Ivo, Jago or even Inigo.

I think Otto is horrid, it makes me picture an over weight middle aged German bloke or the school bus driver in the Simpsons of 'my name is Otto and I like to get blotto' fame.

Rafe is much better but sounds like a nn for Raphael to me. I really love Raife though which seems more of a 'proper' name.

I love Rafe. There is an amazing Seattle-based singer called Rafe Pearlman. Search "Rafe Pearlman Beloved" on YouTube, and if the voice doesn't help you decide, nothing will. Best of luck, and congratulations!

Otis Carroll as opposed to Otto perhaps?

Or agree a three syllable name works well. I offer:

Nathaniel Otis Carroll - Nate Carroll. Gorgeous!

Don't really like either tbh. They're dogs' names.

(I know a very charming dalmation named Otto).

Otto is such a lovely name.

I quite like Otto and not at all keen on Rafe. So many (including me) cannot day R clearly (especially when followed by a long vowel sound) so Waif would be the name.

I agree with pp that a 3 or 4 syllable name is best. Gabriel, Christopher, Nicholas, Sebastian, Dominic, etc. Like pp suggestion of Inigo too. Not three syllable but I think Wilfred or Wilbur go well too.

Otto is harsh and spiky, with a totally different feel to Benji. I don't like it at all.

As for Rafe, it's marginally better but only one letter away from rape - so a big no from me.

The correct spelling of 'Rafe' is 'Ralph'. He'll spend his life having his name mispronounced.

Otto reminds me of the stoned, hippy school bus driver in The Simpsons.

I agree if you’re going to use Rafe then spell it properly.

Not keen on Otto, and much prefer the spelling of Raife.

This thread alone would put me off Rafe, as you are saying it rhymes with Safe and others are saying Ralph (without the L presumably?!)

Personally I immediately thought it would probably be pronounced ‘Raffy’ as I know a baby of that name (not sure how they spell it).

Rafael or Rafferty nn Rafe

I think Otto sounds like tellytubby Talk

@DeRigueurMortis Never heard of it, but I'll definitely look into it now

@Maggiesfarm

The correct spelling of 'Rafe' is 'Ralph'. He'll spend his life having his name mispronounced.

Otto reminds me of the stoned, hippy school bus driver in The Simpsons.

The correct pronunciation of Ralph is Rafe not the other way round.

The people saying it's one letter away from rape are batshit. Do you avoid saying luck in case it sounds like fuck?

I agree with the others who have said that a longer name would fit better with Benjamin. Not that siblings have to match though!

I loved the suggestion of Nathaniel (nn Nate) and came to suggest Gabriel/Gabe, Christopher/Kit, Alexander/Xander, Ezekiel/Zeke, Zachary/Zach, Ezriel/Azriel, Xavier, Elliot, Tobias/Toby, Evander/Evan.

Silly question as you're undecided, but what name does he look like to you? Does he suit a softer name, strong name etc?

How about Rafferty, with Rafe as a pet name?

Lots of accents can’t pronounce Otto, including mine. ‘Oddo’/‘uh-ur’ type noises-yuck. Raphael, Leo, are much better options.

I really don’t like Rafferty, it’s like a combination of all the things in names I don’t like: surname being used as first name, comes across as pretentious, reminds me of something weird/random (I get a mental image of basket weaving, presumably due to raffia)

Rafe is probably more popular than you're expecting if he gets called Raffy. I know about 8 little baby Raffys all with various full names (Ralph, Rafe, Rafferty, Raphael).
I'd definitely pick Otto if you're wanting something a bit different- I much prefer Otto anyway lovely name