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HelpRafe/Raif/(Ralph?)
I found out a few weeks ago that Ralph Fiennes is pronounced "rayf". I found this really quite odd, but I also kinda love it. I'm not sure how I feel about his spelling, though. It's simply so bizarre to have a silent L. I mean... it's an L, dammit! So do you think Rafe - or better yet, Raif - are acceptable? I think Raif looks much much better than Rafe, but as I see here on BtN, it's not a "traditional" spelling. Also, I wonder: does it sound too much like wraith? Or worse, rape? Cause those are not very good connections, no sir. Anyway, combos:
Alexander Raif
Alexis Raif (love!)
Amos Raif
Cedric Raif
Desmond Raif (also fantastic, IMO)
Eamonn Raif (ah!)
Evren Raif
Frederick Raif
Hadrian Raif
Hollis Raif
Ignatius Raif
Ludvik Raif
Matthieu Raif
Morgan Raif (but then again, Morgan's great with just about everything)
Seamus Raif
William Raif
Any other suggestions? Is Raif acceptable?
Alexander Raif
Alexis Raif (love!)
Amos Raif
Cedric Raif
Desmond Raif (also fantastic, IMO)
Eamonn Raif (ah!)
Evren Raif
Frederick Raif
Hadrian Raif
Hollis Raif
Ignatius Raif
Ludvik Raif
Matthieu Raif
Morgan Raif (but then again, Morgan's great with just about everything)
Seamus Raif
William Raif
Any other suggestions? Is Raif acceptable?
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Replies
Rape.
Sorry. Anyway, I never liked this name. Spelling it Ralph and pronouncing it "rayf" seems pretentious to me.
Sorry. Anyway, I never liked this name. Spelling it Ralph and pronouncing it "rayf" seems pretentious to me.
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The Ralph=RAYF thing throws me too, so I definitely think a more phonetic spelling would be easier to live with. I much prefer Rafe over Raif, but as a middle name, I don't think it matters either way. Rafe/Raif does share a few sounds with both wraith and rape, but it's still distinctly different, and I think a mild similarity like that is not worth worrying about. I know I'd never make the mental leap to form a connection between rape, wraith, and Rafe/Raif.
I love Desmond Raif, and I also really like Hadrian Raif and William Raif. Morgan Raif sounds like a dashing pirate and is very charming, too.
I love Desmond Raif, and I also really like Hadrian Raif and William Raif. Morgan Raif sounds like a dashing pirate and is very charming, too.
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Yep, I found that out a few years ago and ever since then I've liked Ralph, but only with that pronunciation. It sounds very handsome, but with a mischievous gleam. Rafe is okay, but I don't like Raif at all... too close to waif.
But I do think William Raif looks nice and medievally awesome.
For some reason I don't have any Ralph combos. I swear I did. What's up with that? If I change all of your spellings, I also like Desmond Ralph, Eamonn Ralph, Hadrian Ralph, and Ignatius Ralph (ooh!) a lot.
But I do think William Raif looks nice and medievally awesome.
For some reason I don't have any Ralph combos. I swear I did. What's up with that? If I change all of your spellings, I also like Desmond Ralph, Eamonn Ralph, Hadrian Ralph, and Ignatius Ralph (ooh!) a lot.
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I do not like Ralph. Raif and Rafe both remind me of rape and wraith.
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I prefer Rafe. It's hard to mispronounce that, and I think it looks the most masculine. There are a few references around to an Arabic name Raif, meaning merciful or forgiving. I think it'd be pronounced with two syllables, rah-EEF. Raif looks unfamiliar enough to me that I might guess it was rah-EEF, or rife. Reif (which I think is sometimes used) has ambiguity too (could be rife).
But yeah, Raif is acceptable, and so are Reif and various other spellings. Especially if it's a middle name - he'll have to spell it when he tells it anyway, no matter how you decide to spell it.
I wouldn't worry a lot about a similarity to wraith and rape. Rafe reminds me of strafe, and so what? Amy reminds me of gamey, and Charlotte - harlot, and Violet - violent but that doesn't come to mind when I meet people with those names. If it did I'd think there was something wrong with me.
But yeah, Raif is acceptable, and so are Reif and various other spellings. Especially if it's a middle name - he'll have to spell it when he tells it anyway, no matter how you decide to spell it.
I wouldn't worry a lot about a similarity to wraith and rape. Rafe reminds me of strafe, and so what? Amy reminds me of gamey, and Charlotte - harlot, and Violet - violent but that doesn't come to mind when I meet people with those names. If it did I'd think there was something wrong with me.
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Jean-mean?
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Aaaaahhhhhhh I LOVE this name!!! Especially since i think Ralph (the english version) is horrible. I have known for a while now but it still gets me every time. I too worry about the sound-alikes, but it's just such a fun name. I especially like Eamonn Raif, Matthieu Raif (ps Im so goad I found somebody else who likes this spelling of Matthew), Morgan Raif, and William Raif.
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Wait, do you really pronounce Matthew and Matthieu/Mathieu the same?
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It depends.
Sometimes I prefer the regular MA-thew pronunciation, and other times I go to "ma-TYU". It depends on the combo, really.
Sometimes I prefer the regular MA-thew pronunciation, and other times I go to "ma-TYU". It depends on the combo, really.
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Yeah, Ralph Fiennes pronouncing his name like rayf is something that has annoyed me for a long time. It doesn't make sense to me (I know it's a legit pronunciation and all but it still bothers me)
On the other hand, I really like the sound of 'rayf' ('ralf' not so much). I prefer the look of Rafe but have a point when you say it's close to rape (didn't cross my mind until you mentioned it though) so Raif might be a better spelling though less appealing to me. Maybe Rayf instead of Raif?
I think it's really cool as a nickname too but I'm not sure what it could be short for.
From your list I really like Morgan Raif, Alexis Raif (Alexis should so be reclaimed by boys) and Hollis Raif.
On the other hand, I really like the sound of 'rayf' ('ralf' not so much). I prefer the look of Rafe but have a point when you say it's close to rape (didn't cross my mind until you mentioned it though) so Raif might be a better spelling though less appealing to me. Maybe Rayf instead of Raif?
I think it's really cool as a nickname too but I'm not sure what it could be short for.
From your list I really like Morgan Raif, Alexis Raif (Alexis should so be reclaimed by boys) and Hollis Raif.
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"Rape" is the first word that comes to mind for me, sorry.. If I had to choose I'd say Rafe is the best spelling for the pronunciation.
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