My husband and I are expecting our first boy. We have always loved the name [name_m]Ralph[/name_m], even before we were pregnant. It is a family name that brings a lot of meaning, and we don’t love any other name more.
When we first began telling others about choosing the name [name_m]Ralph[/name_m], we received a couple of laughs and negative remarks. This totally surprised me, because we saw it as a classic, handsome, masculine name that will go right along with all of his peers. [name_m]Ralph[/name_m] seems to us to be in the same “old man name” realm as [name_m]George[/name_m], [name_m]Jack[/name_m], [name_m]Henry[/name_m], [name_m]William[/name_m] etc. which have all regained such popularity. We wanted something that has the same feel, but is less common. My husband also has a classic one syllable name, and we think the sound of it fits our family.
We already have plenty of things monogrammed with this name…but I want to know your first impression!
Are we totally off with thinking this name is an old classic that is ready to be accepted in 2018?
Is it more of a greasy name that would be better suited for a dog?
Those laughs and remarks are making me have second thoughts!
I never used to like the name [name_m]Ralph[/name_m] (I used to think it sounded horribly geeky and plus…well…it’s a term use for vomiting), but it has really grown on me. I think it has been the years of watching A [name_u]Christmas[/name_u] [name_u]Story[/name_u], in all honestly, which helps me to see it on an ‘actual’ person, especially a young boy. Anyhow, “old man” names are becoming in style again, so [name_m]Ralph[/name_m] would probably fit right in.
I can’t stand [name_m]Ralph[/name_m]. I went to school with one, and he was one of the most awkward and selfish men I’ve ever met, and it’s eternally put me off the name. I love [name_m]Raphael[/name_m] though.
I love old classics like [name_m]George[/name_m], [name_m]Henry[/name_m], and even names like [name_u]Vernon[/name_u] that might be perceived as more “old man” names. But my honest opinion on [name_m]Ralph[/name_m] is that it is not ready for revival. It’s female equivalent to me is something like [name_f]Edna[/name_f]. To me, I just cannot picture it being cute on a baby or a child or really anyone under the age of 90. But everyone has different tastes and I do think it’s most important to go with what YOU love. Good luck.
I do not like it but that is just personal taste, there is nothing wrong with the name. It sounds like you and your partner love it and are totally sold on it so you should go for it, and don’t listen to others!
When I hear [name_m]Ralph[/name_m], I think of vomit (which it is a term for here), but that’s just me.
If it’s a special name to you, go for it. Your son should wear it well! There are plenty of amazing people with unexpected names, and their reputation forms their name in the eyes of others.
I like [name_m]Ralph[/name_m] very much, and absolutely adore the similar [name_u]Rafe[/name_u]. In UK [name_m]Ralph[/name_m] is sometimes pronounced as [name_u]Rafe[/name_u].
For me it is as you described, in the vein of [name_m]Henry[/name_m], [name_m]William[/name_m] etc except more unusual. I think it has an edgy cool vibe and would use it with other favourites of mine such as [name_m]Magnus[/name_m], [name_m]Felix[/name_m], [name_m]Wilfred[/name_m] (Wilf), [name_m]Digby[/name_m], [name_m]Myles[/name_m]. I think some names have different vibes in different countries - I’m assuming you’re in the US? Edgy traditional male names don’t seem to be as accepted there as in the UK?
I have an uncle called [name_m]Ralph[/name_m], and the name has always suited him perfectly. I think he got teased for [name_m]Ralph[/name_m] being a slang term for vomit, but it really isn’t anymore and I don’t think kids today would associate it with that. It definitely leans into the “old man territory” but so do a lot of really popular boys’ names today so I wouldn’t let that put you off.
(If you mean [name_u]Rafe[/name_u], please spell it as such… [name_m]Ralph[/name_m]-pronounced-[name_u]Rafe[/name_u] is too confusing, even in the UK really only the actor Fiennes does it!)
