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Baby names

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Original poster

Do I need to be posh to get away with Raphael?

34 replies

MJandherdog · 31/10/2012 14:35

I'm due to give birth in Feb but unlike with my dd's name, with this pregnancy I cannot 'make peace' with myself over my ds's name.

I really like Raphael but fear it might fall into the 'too posh' bracket.

I also like Felix (not bothered by the cat connotations- there are far worse things to be compared to!).

I don't really like the idea of a really popular name and don't want anything that's too faddy/ pretentious.

Grateful for your thoughts...I'm a big girl and can handle the truth!

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Hope88 · 03/11/2012 13:47

My DS is Rafael. We love the name and are not posh. He's Raffy a lot.

Millais · 03/11/2012 12:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BoyMeetsWorld · 03/11/2012 12:24

Watching with interest. We're considering this name too but I'd veto'd it as pretentious. Looking at replies maybe it's not??? Love the idea of RifRaf as a toddler nn.

Fifi2406 · 31/10/2012 20:21

It's perfect!

LizLem0n · 31/10/2012 19:05

Giles posh yes. ALmost ludicrously so which is a shame because I like the name. colin is so banal. Nigel has become a sort of stereotype of a nerd's name. Colin is just so banal. Gordon I quite like though!

UnderwaterCasketWeaving · 31/10/2012 18:34

I like Rafael, I also like Rufus!

And Felix is NOT wet (metaphorically. Physically he is often somewhat soggy!)

I give you exhibit A: Felix Baumgartner, proper nutjob basejumper man.

slambang · 31/10/2012 18:29

I love Raffi as a nn. Raphael is a bit posh for playground use but with a good workaday nn you can't go wrong.

PurplePidjInAPointyHat · 31/10/2012 18:24

Hopefully I will have a little Rafael (Rafa) at the end of next month. Nadal, Benitez, the painter dude, the angel, and dp's grandad :o

Definitely not posh!

C0smos · 31/10/2012 18:17

I wouldn't say posh, more Italian (although I think it is more Portuguese someone correct me) it's a lovely name, I especially like Rafe.

It is just the turtle connection that would put me off, but they are very old hat now.

smoothieooo · 31/10/2012 18:16

I love Raphael (it is DS2's middle name). DS1 is named after the other, more well-known Archangel!

Original poster
MJandherdog · 31/10/2012 18:13

No but Giles is in MY unusable list along with Nigel, Gordon and Colin.

OP posts:
MrsHBaby3 · 31/10/2012 17:13

I dont think its posh, and so what if it is?
Does Giles fall into the posh catergory?

flossy101 · 31/10/2012 16:15

I love it. Love Raffa for short. Wanted it for my DS but DH is a big bore Grin and vetoed it.

FunnysInLaJardin · 31/10/2012 16:13

I have a Raphael too, nn Rafe and of course think it's a lovely name! He is 3 in February and I haven't come across any others

Original poster
MJandherdog · 31/10/2012 16:03

Thanks for that ThreadPeople! If I remember correctly:

Leonardo leads, Donatello does machines,
Raphael is cool but crude ("give me a break") (said in annoying US accent)
Michelangelo is a party dude ("part-t-t-t-a-a-y") (Said in equally annoying voice)

It's annoying when it's quite clear that people have been influenced by your choice of names. Within 4 months of my dd being born, two men that I work with, who both commented on what a nice name it was, subsequently called their dds the same name! Herrumph!

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ISeeThreadPeople · 31/10/2012 15:57

My Raphael is called Raph or Rafa or Rafe or RifRaf. We're not posh at all. His middle name is Erasmus though!

We try to tell people he's named after the angel but dd's the biggest ninja turtles fan in the world and she insisted he was called Raphael and it stuck.

I started a thread whilst pregnant with him in 2011 and every single reply was overwhelmingly positive.

Slightly annoyingly 2 other women had Raphaels within months of his birth and they'll be in his school year. Oddly, I taught them at a parentcraft session towards the end of their pregnancies. I showed them how to change nappies and bath the baby. They clearly approved of his name...

Original poster
MJandherdog · 31/10/2012 15:57

I love Sebastian too Aquavit...I've obviously got good taste :-)

I think I'm sold...now I just have to persuade DH...

OP posts:
aquavit · 31/10/2012 15:53

I love it, my ds is Raphael usually Raf. But his middle name is Sebastian, make of that what you will...
Think there are quite a few Raphaels/Rafaels these days.

Inneedofbrandy · 31/10/2012 15:44

Hugo is not posh any more there is at least 5 hugos in dc school and more hughs.

I love the name I almost called my son it, my nans dog is raffa after nadel. Yes it's posh but it's also piratey!

LizLem0n · 31/10/2012 15:43

I love it. I wouldn't like Sebastian as I'd see it as being a cliche posh name, like Ptolomy, so I do see your concerns.

Takver · 31/10/2012 15:41

I like it a lot - though prefer it spelt Rafael as in Spain (we lived there when dd was born, had she been a ds it would have def. been on my list).

PickledFanjoCat · 31/10/2012 15:35

Love raf and raffa..

Reminds me of nadal. Mmmmmm.

Original poster
MJandherdog · 31/10/2012 15:34

Good Catholic girl reporting for duty!

Chandon I'd be interested to see what responses you get from your new thread! There are definite names for me that sit in the too posh for me bracket, such as:

Tarquin
St John
Hugo
Rupert

OP posts:
Chandon · 31/10/2012 15:08

It is a common name in catholic countries, and amongst Jewish people. It is only unusual or " posh" in Britain.

This whole being posh and ideas above your station annoy me, may have to start a thread about that!!!!

MolotovBomb · 31/10/2012 14:57

No - I love Raphael. Although be warned: I adore 'flouncy' boys names - Gabriel, Reuben, Sebastian, Elijah, Amadeo, Ezra.

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