[Facts] Ralph
Why is actor Ralph Fiennes' name pronounced 'Rafe'?
Replies
Rafe was the standard English pronunciation until the spread of mass education made people aware that there was an L in there ... and they started pronouncing it. So now, ironically, it has snob value. Also, it's got a theatrical pedigree (Ralph Richardson in fact, Ralph Rackstraw in HMS Pinafore on the stage) that any actor might value.