"Rafe" Fiennes question for Brits

[potioncat]

> Carol: 
> Which is the more common pronunciation of Ralph, and is it regional,
> do you think? (Ralph is pronounced only as "Ralf" in the U.S. to my
> knowledge, but there may be exceptions that I'm not aware of, not
> counting Rafer Johnson, who is not a Ralph.)
> 
> Thanks,
> Carol, curious as always about British/American differences


Potioncat:
I'll throw a spanner in the works---or a monkey wrench if you prefer--
 I have a cousin Ralph who goes by Rafe. In fact, that's what he 
called. Any reference to him would go something like this, "Our 
cousin Rafe, well his name was Ralph but we called him Rafe..."

I always thought 'Rafe' must be a Southern/county/regional version. 
Now I think it's it more closely tied to our British roots. Which may 
really be the same thing. (Most Southerners think they are British.)

I'm not sure if I ever met Cousin 'Rafe' his name is 'Ralf' but we 
called him 'Rafe'. I think he was/is of my father's generation which 
would put him at 80 at the youngest.