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Baby names

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Original poster

DH says we are not posh enough for Rafael!!

36 replies

BotBotticelli · 13/02/2015 09:54

He thinks if we name dc2 Rafael (Raffa or Raffy for short both if which I love too) the child will get bullied at school!

We live on the outskirts of London where DC will likely go to a decent ish state school in a leafy nice area.

Not Eton - but not an inner city school either.

Is Rafael a posh name?? I never thought of it like that...

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SnoringNorma · 18/02/2015 02:04

Beautiful name. I think arty rather than posh or chav

AfroPuffs · 17/02/2015 23:35

If you are spanish, italian, latin descent yes. Otherwise its bit odd.
Lovely name though.

reuset · 17/02/2015 23:33

I don't think its posh at all, quite the opposite

Is that so? I think I must be out of touch regarding this name to have got it so wrong. A young Raphael would have been unusual 20-30 years ago (in my defence)

I

Bluestocking · 17/02/2015 23:33

I know one adult Raphael, one teen, one toddler. Two British, one British/French. None of them is particularly posh! It's a lovely name.

BackforGood · 17/02/2015 23:31

If no Mediterranean heritage, then I'd say it's a bit pretentious, yes. whether you think he will be able to carry it off or not - we can't tell.

Tisiphone · 17/02/2015 23:26

It's not 'posh' at all - agree with others it's international and classic. There must be versions in two dozen languages. Raphael would be the more usual spelling in this part of the world, if that's a consideration.

caughtinthemoment · 17/02/2015 23:21

I would say it's more international rather than posh. It was on our shortlist for DS.

HomeIsWhereTheHeartIs · 17/02/2015 23:08

It sounds a bit flamboyant to me.

Cantdecideondinner · 17/02/2015 22:59

Loads round here, all shortened to Rafi

googietheegg · 13/02/2015 14:02

I don't think its posh at all, quite the opposite

ilovetosleep · 13/02/2015 13:28

I have one and tbh I do worry that it is a bit posh but he is Rafa or raf to everyone. I am so used to the shortening that I almost cringe a little when doctors etc call him by full name. We are neither posh nor chav, or Italian - rather a mish mash of 3 random cultures so we seem to get away with it on that basis I think! We've had a lot of compliments on it and a few people said it was on their short list but they bottled it at last minute!

Shedding · 13/02/2015 13:25

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HorizonFocus · 13/02/2015 13:22

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ginzillas · 13/02/2015 13:16

Not posh. Just nicely unusual.

squoosh · 13/02/2015 12:38

Probably more 'international' than posh.

squoosh · 13/02/2015 12:38

It's a little posh but so what, it's gorgeous. It's not as though you're suggesting calling your kid Peregrine.

Fattycow · 13/02/2015 11:32

Nothing posh, just a nice name.

Bienemaya · 13/02/2015 11:31

I seem to love 'posh' names as I like Raphael Smile. But I don't see what's wrong with that? At our (state) school the kids have all sorts of names and imo kids are very accepting of their mates' names.

Why do some adults have a problem with this (imo) ridiculous class thing, why do they have the need to 'judge'?

shakemysilliesout · 13/02/2015 11:29

I know 2 toddler raphaels. Both British. Neither posh nor chavs.

MythicalKings · 13/02/2015 11:20

I always think turtles. Such a shame, it's a lovely name.

DayLillie · 13/02/2015 11:12

I had a great uncle named Raphael, after the painter. He was a miner, so not 'posh'. Known as rarf , like Ralph Fines.

reuset · 13/02/2015 11:05

It does sound a bit posh to be honest, especially in the UK. Whether that makes it the pretentious choice, or a natural choice for you, only you can answer.

MissYamabuki · 13/02/2015 10:58

I think it's a Bible name (all those names ending in -el). Popular in Catholic countries where it is quite run-of-the-mill. Yes it is seen as posh in the UK.

DP objected to my name choice for DC2 on the same basis (perfectly normal name). I couldn't give a toss and got my way in the end Grin

Showy · 13/02/2015 10:51

Heels, I have never in all the years of having or talking about having a Raphael heard people compare it to Chardonnay. Most people say it's a wee bit posh or middle class if anything. It isn't really. As said up thread it's a solid, traditional name of a saint.

Bin85 · 13/02/2015 10:49

I like it
It's a bit posh
It's unusual, unlikely to be 2 in class
The one I know is Spanish