Baby Names

Ralph

Okay, before you criticize this...

Ralph was my grandfather's name, I loved him very much and we were very close before he died when I was 9. I always envisioned naming my son or his middle name after him. Although Ralph is very old and not very well liked. It has grown on me the more I think of it and I really like Ralphie.

My son's name is actually Rowan, so it occured to me today that if we named the next son Ralph, he would have an R name too with 5 letters.

Now my question is, in all honesty, do you think a child named Ralph would be teased? With all the other crazy names out there, I don't think it'd be any different from a Neveah but I wanted to see what other's thought. 

Re: Ralph

  • I think vomit jokes would be about the worst. I don't necessarily like the name, except on Ralph Fiennes (maybe it's the pronunciation)

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  • I also unfortunately think of vomit...but that aside I think it is a cute name. 
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  • I know it has special meaning to you but I really don't like the name Ralph...sorry!  IMO (it might not matter to you) Rowan (modern) and Ralph (old) don't go together very well.
  • I don't think he will be teased. I like using family names, and it's also a great sibling name to Rowan.
  • Ralph is also my grandpas name but I just can't use it. I love him very much but don't like the name at all. Does he have a mn you could use? Maybe pick a different first name and use Ralph as the mn.
  • erinmserinms member
    I think it sort of depends on where you live.  In our area there are lots of funky, old man names being used.  Oscar is one of my top names for our next boy, in fact.  But if you are somewhere where all the little boys are named Brayden, etc. then he might stick out and get made fun of a bit.  I do not think of vomit when I hear the name Ralph, FWIW.
  • imageGideonsMom:
    I also unfortunately think of vomit...but that aside I think it is a cute name. 
    This. Even if you go with Ralphie I'm sure by time he hits school kids will call him Ralph for short.
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  • My husbands best friend is named ralph and in all the years I've known him I giggle to myself everytime I say it and hear it.  I just don't know why!  I dont think of vomit, I think of Rulph from the mumpets - who i love!

    Ralphie is cute but as he gets older he will have to change to ralph. Although I dont think of anything weird when i say ralph lauren!

    Its not terrible so I dont think you should be totally against it.

  • I really, really don't like the name Ralph (or Ralphie), sorry! Personally I would choose a different first name and use Ralph as the middle name to honor your grandfather.

    LOVE Rowan, by the way!

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  • NMS, but I like the idea of Raphie.  I don't think it sounds good with Rowan either.  I picture Rowan as strong, while Ralphie is not.  You could use it as a mn.
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  • Ralph is DH's grandfather's name. It is okay. Definitely not great, but not horrible. I don't think he'll be made fun of. It's a huge grocery store chain in So Cal so it reminds me of that. Vomit would have never, ever crossed my mind (when reading the other responses). I personally would use it for a middle name.
  • i would use it as a middle name. My brother has Ralph as his first but has always gone by his middle name because he hates it so much.
  • Is Ralph a great name? no Is it a horrible name ? no

    I think so many of the trendy names are so much worse!!!

  • Between vomiting and Ralph Wiggum, this is a tough sell for me, even though it was your grandfather's name.  What about RaphaelRafael?  I know it isn't a 5-letter R name, but I like it much better.
  • imagemagsugar13:

    Is Ralph a great name? no Is it a horrible name ? no

    I think so many of the trendy names are so much worse!!!

    This. I'm not sure how bad the teasing would be because I'm not entirely certain that too many kids today know the term ralph can be used to refer to vomiting--isn't it kind of archaic nowadays?

  • Thanks for all your replies although I specifically asked about the teasing, not about your opinions on the name itself. I knew what your responses would be. Next time read the actual question! 

    Thanks for you who actually did :)

  • I also think of vomit.  How about as a middle name, so you would still honor your grandfather?
  • My grandfather is Ralph also. I could never picture using his name for my child's first name no matter how close we were. 

    I'd suggest using it as a middle name, that way you don't have to worry about it being to similar to Rowan or kids teasing him about vomit or shooting his eye out. 

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  • As a teacher the first thing that pops into my head that children would be familiar with is Ralph the Mouse.  I think they still read that in the younger grades.  Personally I think while it is good to look for possible teasing within a name, you have to realize that all kids are going to get teased just don't make it easy.  I don't think Ralph is easily prone to teasing unless the term is still being used to refer to vomit (I have not heard that from any young children lately).  Do you have any friends with older children...ask them what the first thing that pops into their heads when they hear the name Ralph, that would give you a much better guide than a bunch of adults since the kids are the ones coming up with the teasing!  HTH
  • My cousin married a guy named Ralph. I don't think any other name would fit him.
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