Thoughts on the name Rafferty?

[Csang]

I'm due to have a baby boy in a few months and we still can't find a name we both agree on. I love Raffie and Raphael is a lovley name but our kid is likely to be ginger, light skinned and freckly so Mediterranean Raphael vibes might seem a bit ridiculous! Raffie is also short for Rafferty which I'm not immediately drawn to. Any thoughts?!??!

Well of course they did. They're being polite.
I told my brother it was a nice name (for my nephew) even though I thought it was awful.

But if you like it, that's all that matters.

I know of one about age 5, known as Raffi. It's very inkeeping with current name trends so I wouldn't overthink it - it doesn't stand out as unusual amongst current little ones at all.

You have said that you aren't drawn to it, so don't call your child something you don't really like because you like a shortening of it. Raphael is a great name, as is Rufus, which a few others have already mentioned.

To me Rafferty is a frilly, lacey name. Specifically sounds like it would be used on Tudor clothing like ruffs and frilly sleeves. But that us quite a specific word association!

@Barnabyby how bitchy. Hope that made you feel big 👍🏼

Can't say I feel any different to be honest.

I work with 2-4 year olds. There are 3 Raffy/Raffies out of about 25 boys! One is Raphael (called Raffy) but the other 2 are just known as Raffy so not sure if they have a longer name.

@Barnabyby fail to see what the purpose of your comment was then.

Oh good Lord NO!

Awful

I love it. X

I like it but it's a 'fussy' name imo.

Not keen on Rafferty.
Have you considered Rafe?

That's exactly what springs to my mind, too. Also for some reason I'm imagining a little baby Lawrence Llewellyn Bowen 🤣

Baker Street

although the sax was Raphael Ravenscroft, the song is still
synonymous with the above
or Rafferty Law - tis an Irish name, to be sure

Awful. So pretentious

Love it op. But judging by the responses it's a bit marmite. My son has a very boring traditional first name and a more unusual middle name which we wanted to call him but thought everyone would laugh or pull a face. I really regret not calling him it now and he loves his middle name. Go for it.

Rafferty, the Anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Raighbheartaigh, means "prosperity wielder."

It's an Irish surname, I know plenty, none with it as a first name, mind you in Ireland it is quite typical to be referred to as your surname - are you Irish ?

Rufus is a dog's name

It’s a celeb baby name isn’t it? According to statistics it was pretty much unused as a first name in E and W until Jude Law used it - and it’s been gradually increasing ever since. Jude Law has a lot to answer for baby name wise actually🤣 - Jude, Rafferty, Iris (daughter), even Sienna (his girlfriend at the time) seem to have all started their popularity rises after he became famous.

Anyway that’s what Rafferty makes me think of - celeb trends, so it wouldn’t personally be my cup of tea. But I tend to like very traditional or Classical names so…🤷‍♀️

Irish surname.. suppose it's like Murphy/Kelly/Quinn

It's just another Irish surname being repurposed as a first name. I don't like it. I like Raphael though.

I'm afraid Rafferty to me suggests a small town night club in the 1990's. Rafael /Raphael or Ralph is much better

I know a Rafferty. It's fine but comes off a bit try hard/bougie doesn't it. It's just a matter of taste. I prefer proper names so I would go for Raphael but obviously lots of people like names like Raffie, Albie, whatever

Ralph or Rafe would be fine

It wouldn’t work at all here in Ireland but elsewhere it probably would.