We thought we were narrowing it down! But I just can't stop looking! DH mentioned the name Rafe yesterday (pronounded Rayf). Apparently it's a variant of Ralph. DH says he knew someone with this name growing up and always kind of liked it. I can't decide how I feel. Cool? Wierd? Too abrupt sounding? WDYT?
I love Rafe! It reminds me of Pearl Harbor (which...pros and cons). But I like the style of the name. I think it's really interesting and masculine. Go for it!
Hmmm, pretty divided responses. Some love, some hate, and a few "mehs." This kind of reflects how I feel about it, too. I don't know why I keep trying to complicate things by introducing new names into the mix. I just can't settle on this baby's name!
It may be commonly used as a nickname, but is, in fact, a real full name in and of itself. So, no, it's not exactly like naming your kid Bob.
From behindthename.com
GENDER:MasculineUSAGE:EnglishPRONOUNCED:RAYFMeaning & History
Variant of RALPH. This form became common during the 17th century, reflecting the usual pronunciation.
AND
"... In the Middle Ages [Ralph] was usually spelled Ralf, but by the 17th century it was most commonly Rafe, reflecting the normal pronunciation ..."
ETA: Though I can appreciate that it may SOUND like a nickname, and people who have never heard it used otherwise may think it is. This is one of my hesitations about the name.
I really like it. There's a character from HMS Pinafore (Gilbert and Sullivan) with this name. I also really like Ralph. But Rafe sounds more British to me. And when it comes to baby names, I love all things British for some reason.
Warning
No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
For some reason when I saw it I wanted to pronounce it Rah-fee. It could be cool though.
Yeah, I kinda do too. That's why I put the pronunciation in there. I would worry that most people would mispronounce it and he would constantly be correcting people. As it is, people almost always mispronounce DD's name, and I actually didn't see that one coming when I gave her the name.
I really do hate to say it because for all intents and purposes I kind of dig the name and I love your DD's name but I think this does set him up for a lifetime of that.
How about Raphael/Rafael or Raffi?
Francesca Pearl is here! Josephine Hope is almost 3!
I really do hate to say it because for all intents and purposes I kind of dig the name and I love your DD's name but I think this does set him up for a lifetime of that.
How about Raphael/Rafael or Raffi?
Yeah, I think this kind of reflects my thoughts about the name. I really like it in theory. But I just don't adore the sound of it. It's like a little harsh or something.
Unfortunately, I don't love Rafael either. I just asked DH about it and he said it reminds him of a male escort! Haha, whatevs!
I like it, but I also like the name Ralph pronounced that way (Like Ralph Finnes). probably not a popular opinion though.
This. I like the look of Ralph pronounced Rafe, but I think it would always be an issue. So, Rafe is on my short list.
TTC 10/11. IUI 2/12. BFP 3/8/12. 4/26/12 missed mc. RE consult 5/17/12. IVF #1 ER 7/13/12 53R, 41M ICSIed, 32F, 8 5d, 6 6d blasts - all PGD/frozen. PGD results 1 normal M and 1 normal F, 1 maybe M. FET 9/6, transferred 1 F embie. Beta 9/15 BFN. FET#2 planned for 11/2012 put off until 2013. Surprise BFP 11/21/12!! My son was born on 7/24/13!
FET 4/28/2015 - Transferred 1 M embie. 5/6/15 BFP!
Re: Rafe: WDYT?
BFP 06/25/17 | EDD 02/24/18 | DS2 02/19/18
I kind of agree but, only because I had the biggest crush on him when I was in high school, I thought he was sooo handsome in The English Patient.
OP, I think Rafe is okay.
Wine is constant proof that God loves us and loves to see us happy.
Benjamin Franklin
I thought it was a nn for Raphael as that's how it's used in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (movies and cartoons).
I think I only like it as a nn, though, and that's just b/c Raphael (the turtle) is Raphael and he's always been my favorite besides Michelangelo.
Heavens to Murgatroyd Blog
Unofficial Baby Names Sticky Note: New and Old| Local Bumpie Website
It may be commonly used as a nickname, but is, in fact, a real full name in and of itself. So, no, it's not exactly like naming your kid Bob.
From behindthename.com
GENDER: MasculineUSAGE: EnglishPRONOUNCED: RAYFMeaning & HistoryVariant of RALPH. This form became common during the 17th century, reflecting the usual pronunciation.
AND
"... In the Middle Ages [Ralph] was usually spelled Ralf, but by the 17th century it was most commonly Rafe, reflecting the normal pronunciation ..."
ETA: Though I can appreciate that it may SOUND like a nickname, and people who have never heard it used otherwise may think it is. This is one of my hesitations about the name.
Yeah, I kinda do too. That's why I put the pronunciation in there. I would worry that most people would mispronounce it and he would constantly be correcting people. As it is, people almost always mispronounce DD's name, and I actually didn't see that one coming when I gave her the name.
I hate to say it, but all I see is rape.
Francesca Pearl is here! Josephine Hope is almost 3!
Haha! Well, that's not good.
Me, too. Or Rafe the Rapist. Can't help it, that's just what came to mind.
I really do hate to say it because for all intents and purposes I kind of dig the name and I love your DD's name but I think this does set him up for a lifetime of that.
How about Raphael/Rafael or Raffi?
Francesca Pearl is here! Josephine Hope is almost 3!
Yeah, I think this kind of reflects my thoughts about the name. I really like it in theory. But I just don't adore the sound of it. It's like a little harsh or something.
Unfortunately, I don't love Rafael either. I just asked DH about it and he said it reminds him of a male escort! Haha, whatevs!
It's very soap opera to me. There is a current character on Days and a past character on Y&R with that name.
It's ok, just NMS.
I like it due to the excellence that is Ralph Fiennes (as his name is pronounced "Rafe").
<thumbs-up>
That's exactly what I tought! I like it. I think it's original in a good way.
This. I like the look of Ralph pronounced Rafe, but I think it would always be an issue. So, Rafe is on my short list.
TTC 10/11. IUI 2/12. BFP 3/8/12. 4/26/12 missed mc. RE consult 5/17/12. IVF #1 ER 7/13/12 53R, 41M ICSIed, 32F, 8 5d, 6 6d blasts - all PGD/frozen. PGD results 1 normal M and 1 normal F, 1 maybe M. FET 9/6, transferred 1 F embie. Beta 9/15 BFN. FET#2 planned for 11/2012 put off until 2013. Surprise BFP 11/21/12!! My son was born on 7/24/13!
This. exactly. I want to like it. It also reminds me of a rufee. Like when you drug someone. Otherwise I think I could like it.
I've heard the name twice in my life.
One was a student and his full name was Rafe.
The other is a current LSU Baseball player and his name is spelled Raph (it's short for Raphael, I think).
I've only heard it once, and that was on the movie "Pearl Harbor"
I don't hate it, but it sounds very "Grease" era to me.