Asa or Raphael

[BabyInWaiting]

Just curious which you prefer and why. For my son. Thank you.

[Mrsknackered]

Oh my goodness, I really love both. I think though as beautiful as Raphael is (and really it is, I begged DP to let us use it) I'd go with Asa. I've heard quite a few Raphael's recently and if popularity is something your concerned about?
Either way your son has a great name!

[ReinettePompadour]

Asa, because my most beautiful, clever and funny cousin is called Asa.

Raphael is a bit 'teenage mutant ninja turtle'.

[ByThePowerOfRa]

I prefer Raphael as I’m never sure how to pronounce Asa! Also like Raph as a shortening... I used to know a lovely Raphael, known as Raph .

[JacintaJones]

Raphael, because I have one.

Named for the archangel, although there is no accounting for other people's cultural references....

Asa is fine too though.

[MrsBonato]

Raphael, it's a fantastic name. Quite strong and makes a strong full of character impression.

[WonderWhippet]

Asa because I know an Asa and he is fab.

[notgivingin789]

I'm sorry. I don't like neither of them. Asa sounds like a made up name and Raphael..just not feeling the name.

[bluesu]

Please how do you pronounce Asa?

Ass-ah
Ay-sah

??

I want to love it and I think I will once I know how to say it !

Raphael is also lovely, you have great taste in names OP. Did you have any others on your short list I can steal hear?

[Ragusa]

Can I ask how you pronounce Asa??

[MedicinalGin]

This sounds awful and I’m so sorry but Asa reminds me of the abbreviation for the advertising standards authority. It’s a lovely name but I don’t think I’d be able to not think of that. Raphael is gorgeous and you could call them Raffi for short which is just ace too.

[Ragusa]

Ah ok Google tells me it is like the tree, Acer. I like it. Raphael is also nice. Asa is a bit less commonplace so that may be good or bad depending on your perspective.

I originally thought of åsa pronounced the Swedish way (like Orsa) but I suspect that is just me...

[BabyInWaiting]

Asa pronounced Ay-sa. Guess similar a-sound to Ada?

Thank you for all the replies. Yes Raffi is cute nn!

[MummaTwinkleToes]

Absolutely love Raphael. Met a Raphael when pregnant with DS1 he was such a lovely young man. DH wouldn’t agree to it.

[Ontopofthesunset]

I don't really like Asa much, partly because of the Advertising Standards Agency that someone's already mentioned, partly because it looks like an unfinished phrase ('as a woman', 'as a dog', 'as a bird'), partly because it's only one letter different from Asda, partly because it's only one letter different from ISA, partly because it's also very close to Asos, partly because it's only one letter different from ass and but a short hop to arsehole.

Raphael's a nice name.

[Blankscreen]

I know an Asa. Sorry but to think it's a post awful name. I always think of.a laptop and it looks like initials.

Raffi is.lovely.

[timeisnotaline]

ontopof so you don't like asa? . I'd not heard of it, I can see some of the appeal but it doesn't quite get there for me.

[Rainbowandraindrops67]

Sorry neither - asa sounds made up and he’ll get ‘ass a’ or ‘asda’ all the time

Raphael is try hard posh and so so popular atm but nicer than Asa

Any other options?

[Sophronia]

Asa. Love it!

[SleepingStandingUp]

Not an Asa fan. Too close to Ass sorry :(
Adore Raphael no Raffi nn Raf

[DiegoMadonna]

Asa. Cos it's awesome!

[rowtheboats]

How on earth do you pronounce asa? It looks like an abbreviation to me. E.g Amateur Swimming Association

[Mrsknackered]

I don't quite get why pronouncing Asa is hard. It's the same as Ada/Ava

[DiegoMadonna]

People are afraid of what's different.

[HouseworkIsASin10]

Asa. Lovely name.

[SleepingStandingUp]

Because people can't work out if its
ass-a

Ay-sa