Raife is a masculine given name (pronounced rayf). It is an English, Scandinavian and German given name for a male, used in many countries across the world but most popular in English-speaking countries. It is of Old Norse origin (meaning "counsel of the wolf" or "wise wolf"), derived from the Old Norse Raðulfr (rað "counsel" + ulfr "wolf") through Old English Rædwulf.
It is a spelling representation of the traditional pronunciation of the name Ralph, a pronunciation now largely restricted to the upper classes. It is recognised with Rafe in the Oxford English Dictionary of Names.[1] In 2016, Raife was listed at 790th most popular boys name in the U.K.[2] In 2017, Raife rose to 606th in the U.K. rankings.[2] In 2018, the name increased in popularity and rose in the ranks again to position 557th.[2]
Notable people with the name include:
- Raife Wellsted (1929–2012), British philatelist
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Hanks, Patrick; Hardcastle, Kate; Hodges, Flavia (2006). "Rafe, Raife". A Dictionary of First Names (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/acref/9780198610601.001.0001. ISBN 978-0-19-861060-1.
- ^ a b c Powell-Smith, Anna. "Baby Names in England & Wales". English Baby Names. Retrieved August 11, 2022.