Thoughts on Rafe?

[IHate]

Just that, really. I know that the properly ‘U’ spelling is ‘Ralph’, but we’re not that posh and I don’t want him having to explain it for the rest of his life!

So, Rafe (for a boy). Please let me know what you think.

Ralph Fiennes is a good example of this!

As others have said, it is normally spelt Ralph. I like, but not with your spelling

Ralph is horrid IMO, all I can think of is Ralph Wiggum from the Simpsons.

I love Raife, but would spell it Raife so it's not like rape.

Ralph is pronounced "raife" in the UK (traditionally anyway)

Ralph Wiggum, King Ralph etc are american where they appear to pronounce it Ralf

I have a Rafe. It's a great name.

What many on the Ralph side of the spelling divide don't grasp is that the Rafe spelling is just as old as any other (Ralph, Raif, Raife)- literally hundreds of years old. It's just that over time Ralph won out, especially within the aristocracy. But it's not just some dumbed-down, modern phonetic spelling, it's a standard variation.

I didn't want him to spend his life explaining, especially with the recent rise of the name Ralph as a baby name with the American spelling.

And I always say "Rafe like safe" so that's my word association, not rape.

American pronunciation, I meant!

How about Rafferty?

There’s a few at my sons’ school and it’s so cringe when they shout out to them.

I don't like the name, regardless of how it's spelt.

However, if I met a child called Rafe then I wouldn't bat an eyelid and neither would most people, so if you like it then go for it.

It’s ok for Chris and Rosie Ramsey. I like it.

Yep. Always makes me think of a ‘perineal raphe’ too (google it). Not great!

I’m confused by your perception of poshness. To me Ralph is an ok, normal kind of name. The Rafe pronunciation is the more ‘posh’ one. So spelling the name to emphasise the posh pronunciation reads as you being wannabe posh. Which is just weird. Either you and your family pronounce Ralph as Rafe, or you don’t.

I’d also wonder if it was an abbreviation of Rafferty / Raphael so a version of Raf.

I've always associated it with Pearl Harbour too. I like it.

I was just about to type the same thing! Mind blown!

Ray Fines

I mentioned him and the person I was talking with couldn't believe it wasn't Ralf Fee-ens

It is an old English name. I don't see it as that bad.

Surely its short for Raphaël ?

Raphaël is a French name, @Mix56 . Rafe is a different spelling of Ralph.

How about Rayf?

Or Raif

I am going to be honest here. I have never liked this name because it sounds too like rape.

I like it, it’s one of DS’ middle names and would have happily had it as a first name if not for a single syllable surname. It’s not a dumbed-down spelling of a ‘posh’ name, it’s a Norse name and a perfectly acceptable spelling over hundreds of years!

Great name, we have a Raife.
he sometimes gets called Ralph or Raff

Always get a lot of compliments on it and never associated it with the word rape. Did have to correct someone who thought it was Rave once though.

We heard it from pearl harbour too! Love it.

That name! Remorse! Remorse!
Ill get my coat.

though I do quite like it. If you can’t bear Ralph I’d go Raif or Raiph as it’s closer and still phonetically simple.

I’m currently watching Rafe Spall in something and I think it’s a lovely name!