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Help[Opinions] Should Ralph return in popularity in the U.S.?
The name Ralph has returned in popularity in the U.K., so why not the U.S.?
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It's hard to pronounce and feels cartoony. It could be a dorky name for a dog maybe.
I'm not a fan, but I could see it making a comeback.
I'm not super fond it, but the nickname Ralphie is pretty cute to be honest.
Is it slang for vomit in the UK? It is here, or was. I don't know if it matters so much anymore, but it seemed like a joke name in the 90s/00s (to the point of being made fun of in media).
I was looking at my great grandfather's siblings' names today and noticed he had a younger brother Ralph. His older brother was Arthur. I thought the names seemed nice together.
I was looking at my great grandfather's siblings' names today and noticed he had a younger brother Ralph. His older brother was Arthur. I thought the names seemed nice together.
This message was edited 10/4/2024, 10:35 PM
I'm unable to see its appeal. It sounds harsh and the British pronunciation doesn't make sense. It also reminds me of the silly kid from The Simpsons, which isn't a positive association.
Bring it back! It's so charming.
It's dead here, and it deserved to die.
The UK pronunciation Rafe makes no sense here and would be considered very pompous and pretentious.
The American pronunciation is well-known slang for vomit (because that's what it sounds like.)
The UK pronunciation Rafe makes no sense here and would be considered very pompous and pretentious.
The American pronunciation is well-known slang for vomit (because that's what it sounds like.)
Rafael "Rafe" is quite common for Eastern European migrants in the UK which is quite nice. That spelling might make more sense than Ralph for the Rafe pronunciation.
I didn't even know Ralph could be pronounced that way. I thought "rayf" was just the NN for Raphael.
I'm American and don't know about the slang meaning, for what it's worth.
I've heard it in media multiple times.
But I don't feel like I've heard it from people around me. It's not something I'd feel natural saying.
But I don't feel like I've heard it from people around me. It's not something I'd feel natural saying.
I knew a man at uni whose name was Raphael; he was known as Rafie. I think I prefer Raphael to Ralph, mostly because I'd pronounce Ralph like Rafe but others may not.
No, the Rafe pronounciation doesn't make sense
This message was edited 10/4/2024, 11:45 AM
Actually it just makes me think of Wreck It Ralph, which is one of my favorite Disney movies. It also makes me think of vomit.
Heck yeah, bring back the dorky old man names
I think its nice. I sort of recently met a little boy called Ralph, and I found the name somewhat refreshing
In the US and Canada, actor Jackie Gleason there was an odious character called Ralph Kramden of the 1950's TV show The Honeymooners. Kramden was a loudmouth, misogynist thug who often threatened to send his long suffering wife to the moon with his fist. I guess people thought wives were to be seen and not heard back in those days. I think that show tainted the name for a lot of people. Then Ralph became a brand name with the arrival of fashion designer Ralph Lauren in the late sixties. Many parents shy away from this style of name.
England seems to be ahead of the curve when it comes to names so perhaps in the future, North America will follow their lead. I have my doubts but you never know what will catch on.
I prefer the "Rafe" pronunciation of the name like British actor Ralph Fiennes.
England seems to be ahead of the curve when it comes to names so perhaps in the future, North America will follow their lead. I have my doubts but you never know what will catch on.
I prefer the "Rafe" pronunciation of the name like British actor Ralph Fiennes.