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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Raphael? Yes or no?

30 replies

Stilldreamingofsun · 08/10/2016 07:38

My son will be born on St Raphaels day (24th October). We are Catholic and have Italian connections but our surnames (double barrelled) are French and very common English name. Think along the lines of Montague- Smith. DH loves the name Rafe which I'm not keen on (sounds like rape/rage) so I'm trying to compromise! Is Raphael too flouncy? Will there always be talk of 🐢? 😂 Would probably shorten it to RAF/ Rafa.

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Looby4 · 08/10/2016 18:35

Love it!

Ilovewillow · 08/10/2016 18:33

Absolutely lovely name!

ilovetosleep · 08/10/2016 18:28

I have one so I love it! Only one mention of turtles in his 2.5 yrs and everyone calls him Rafa except his brother who calls him Raf and some French friends who use his full name (which I also love as we rarely do these days!)

Loyly · 08/10/2016 18:27

Love it

firawla · 08/10/2016 18:24

stilldreaming not Rafferty, mine is a Rafiq

Sophronia · 08/10/2016 13:06

Raphael is lovely

EllenDegenerate · 08/10/2016 12:31

I love it.

If this baby is a boy he will be Raphael William Xavier.
Baby will be born on 30 November but My mums birthday is 24th October so we thought Raphael rather fitting.

Congratulations on your baby and on your fabulous taste. 😀

insancerre · 08/10/2016 08:33

I like it
There is a character called Raffaello in holby city which I prefer

Original poster
Stilldreamingofsun · 08/10/2016 08:28

Rafferty by any chance Firawla?!

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firawla · 08/10/2016 08:26

It's a great name, and I think it definitely works with your reasons. My kids would immediately think of turtles but that would be seen as a good thing. My youngest has a different name that also starts with Raf and he likes it being the same nickname as the turtle Grin

SleepFreeZone · 08/10/2016 08:22

Love it!

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 08/10/2016 08:12

Fab name.

somekindofmother · 08/10/2016 08:08

raphael is not flouncy! he's a turtle! he's badass! it's an awesome name. i know a raf and he's such a little dude! particularly easy to pull off if you also have a foreign surname or heritage.

Lunar1 · 08/10/2016 08:03

Love it, and it will be shortened to raph which is lovely.

Original poster
Stilldreamingofsun · 08/10/2016 08:02

Thank you Bagina- I definitely want to hear all opinions which is why I started this thread!!

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Original poster
Stilldreamingofsun · 08/10/2016 07:58

It's true- hopefully he would have the confidence to pull it off! I teach in a private school so there are a lot more 'out there' names!!

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Bagina · 08/10/2016 07:54

I'm just saying that it's what children will think of; but they might think it's cool?

Original poster
Stilldreamingofsun · 08/10/2016 07:52

Haha! Exactly/ although there are quite a few Robins around now (quite like that too!!)

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FabFiveFreddie · 08/10/2016 07:51

I think it's great!

There are vast swathes of the population who don't even know what the turtle thing is about (including me, I've figured it out). I wouldn't worry about it too much. It's not like calling him Batman 😄

Rojak · 08/10/2016 07:51

I think Raphael works with the French part of the surname - have met a few French Raphael's

Original poster
Stilldreamingofsun · 08/10/2016 07:47

Yes- turtles are still around but there are so many Leo's around and I don't think people automatically think of 🐢?

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JosephineMaynard · 08/10/2016 07:47

I like it.

But yes, I did get remarks about teenage mutant ninja turtles when I was talking about this name.

UnicornPee · 08/10/2016 07:47

I just think of the TMNT sorry.

NiceCuppaTeaAndASitDown · 08/10/2016 07:46

Love it! Smile

GizmoFrisby · 08/10/2016 07:46

I love the name also love the connection with your religion and family.

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