"Rafe" Fiennes question for Brits

[Carol]

Just out of curiosity, is "Rafe" a nickname for Ralph (used by Ralph
Fiennes and others) or is it the normal pronunciation of the name
Ralph in England/Britain? (I seem to recall the spelling "Rafe" in use
by historical persons in fifteenth-century England but can't recall
specific examples at the moment.)

Carol, who just saw a preview for "The Duchess" with Ralph Fiennes and
Kiera Knightley and is looking forward to seeing it