Final 2...

[ladybirdsaredotty]

Which name do you prefer, and why?

Louis
Raphael

Thank you!

[ladybirdsaredotty]

Oh, Raphael would probably be Raffy as well as Raphael day-to-day!

[SantasLittleMonkeyButler]

Louis.

Raphael is just not to my taste. It’s also the name of a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.

[GU24Mum]

I like them both though I'd probably have gone for Rafe (but Ralph as actual name). I loved Xavier too - OH didn't so we have something entirely different for DS!!

[fluffydragons]

Louis.

It's a lovely name. Not keen on Raphael at all.

[ladybirdsaredotty]

Thank you!

GU24mum I like Xavier too! It was on our list originally.

[FurryGiraffe]

Raphael but I’m a bit biased

[ThaliaLuxurySpa]

2 of my favourite names there, OP!

What immediately springs to mind whenever I hear them:

Raphael: creative (artistic?/ literary?/ musical?)/ deep thinker and questioner/ eloquent/ loyal, lifelong friendships/ someone confident in following their own path; definitely not a 'sheep'...
(and, yes, the painter and the turtle )

Louis: easy-going/ travel & languages are his thing/ bit of a joker/ likes the limelight/ the mediator in his large friendship group...

Raphael wins, for me, because it's far less used than Louis (here in the UK). Prefer it to Rafferty, which seems to be appearing more and more on name lists.
I also bracket 'Sacha' with them, and Xavier too!

[ThaliaLuxurySpa]

Excellent taste in names, Furry!

[ThaliaLuxurySpa]

^ Raphael, I meant.
(Though Furry's not bad...).

[ladybirdsaredotty]

Thanks!

Thalia Rafferty was on the list until very recently, love that too but i see it as a bit less classic/worry about it dating/being a bit surnamey. But i do love it. Hmm...

[Awwlookatmybabyspider]

Louis by a trillion miles.
I really don't get the hype over Raphael.

[CPtart]

Louis.
Probably because I think Raphael would get Rafe which is dreadful.

[ChocolateCrunch]

Louis, definitely

[Flomper]

Inlike Raphael, and Rafe. Dont like Louis. Dong.knownwjy really, just makes me think of an old man

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

Louis.

Love it.

[LarkDescending]

Louis!

[Loyly]

Raphael.

[stellarfox]

I love Louis. Raphael is cute too. I only know two Raphaelas (girls) so this could always be a potential for a second baby for either gender if you like this too!

[Discotits]

Raphael.

[ladybirdsaredotty]

Thanks all so far.

stellarfox I love Raphaela too, but this is baby 3 and there definitely won't be a baby 4 (although we did say that last time )

[Lunathemoon]

Rafael seems like a very big name if you get my meaning and a tad too biblical for me sorry. Now if you had said Rafferty...

I know lots of little Louis' which kind of puts me off a bit, but of the two I'd pick it

[Lunathemoon]

Raphael😳 Whoops terrible spelling

[Ttbb]

Louis

[ladybirdsaredotty]

Luna you can spell it Rafael, too! That's DP's preferred spelling, in fact.

Interesting to see Rafferty mentioned a few times. I do love that, too.

[Sugarpiehoneyeye]

Louis is such a lovely name, Raphael sounds to me, somewhat harsh.