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Baby names

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

Original poster

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65 replies

Starfish83 · 16/12/2019 14:36

Raphael/Rafael.

We’re in the UK, but am drawn to the Spanish spelling (Rafael), but will he have a lifetime of needing to spell out his name fir people? We’ll probably call him Raf/Rafi for short.

Would be grateful for opinions! x

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Modernhistorybuff · 19/12/2019 23:28

I like them both but slightly prefer Rafael.
I know three Raphael/Rafael age 15, 10 and 8. They are all from upper middle class backgrounds and are all delightful.

emilybrontescorsett · 19/12/2019 17:56

Lovely name. I think I prefer it spelt with a ph.

Original poster
Starfish83 · 17/12/2019 17:21

@MamaDane, they are lovely names, thank you! We have Danish heritage so feel like that’s a great reason to spell it ‘Rafael’. ☺️

OP posts:
MamaDane · 17/12/2019 11:53

@Starfish83 it is Grin
Well we named one of our sons Asger so I obviously love that one Grin otherwise at the top of my head there's Esben, Falke, Aslak, Henrik, Rune, Storm and Mikkel

Answerthequestion · 17/12/2019 11:40

Really not downmarket at all. It’s v popular here, mostly Rafael and all nn Rafi / Raf lovely name

Poorolddaddypig · 17/12/2019 11:37

Neither Raphael nor Rafael is ‘downmarket’ in any way Hmm They’re lovely.

MikeUniformMike · 17/12/2019 11:21

Don't flatter yourself.

TatianaLarina · 17/12/2019 09:40

I don’t give a stuff, so you need to get over it and stop following me around.

MikeUniformMike · 17/12/2019 09:30

I certainly don't follow you around Tatiana. I think you are an unpleasant know-it-all.

TatianaLarina · 17/12/2019 09:29

I have no issue with you at all Mike. You’re the one who follows me around wittering at me.

MikeUniformMike · 17/12/2019 08:58

Only you seems to have a problem with me - apart from on this thread where I am considered daft and a wally for expressing an opinion about a name - whereas I have seen you being rude to posters on several threads.

lottiegarbanzo · 17/12/2019 08:58

I think it's a beautiful name and would use the Raphael spelling, unless there's Spanish heritage.

Raffi or Rafa seem obvious shortenings (and yes, I would use the f for those). Raphe / Ralf is a different name entirely, I think.

TatianaLarina · 17/12/2019 08:52

It’s not me it’s you.

MikeUniformMike · 17/12/2019 08:49

and Tatiana being her usual charming self.

TatianaLarina · 17/12/2019 08:48

Also Rafaello in Italy and Rafael in Spain/S.America - are not uncommon names at all. As pps have said Raphael has caught on here too.

Original poster
Starfish83 · 17/12/2019 08:45

Thank you so much for all the considered comments.

MamaDane, is that the Danish way of spelling it? Please let me know if you have any other fab Danish names up you sleeve! x

OP posts:
TatianaLarina · 17/12/2019 08:40

I prefer Raphael - love the name, ignore Mike she’s talking baloney.

If you had Spanish family the Rafael spelling makes sense, without that it’s a bit odd - Raphael is the common English spelling from the bible and the painter.

MamaDane · 17/12/2019 08:19

Lovely name. Spell it however you would like, OP. I'm Danish so I prefer the name with f. Xmas Wink

So many lovely biblical names. We considered Emmanuel for our sons. Xmas Smile

AriadneO · 17/12/2019 08:17

Haha flamingo, well said!

PinkFlamingo888 · 17/12/2019 08:06

MikeUniformMike I often see you pop up on these threads and you’re such a moron.
Raphael is hardly a made up name. A name of a foreign origin isn’t something to be afraid of. I have a 30 year old, French relative named Raphael so it’s hardly dated has it. Why don’t you try thinking before you post next time.

Grufallosfriends · 17/12/2019 08:01

The two people I know who spell it Rafael pronounce it Rafal

Like Rachael pronounced Rachel?

That's where the diaeris comes in. Rafaël makes the pronunciation clear.

IncrediblySadToo · 16/12/2019 23:10

To be honest I’m not keen on the name (but you’d probably think my choices were boring!😂), but of the 2, I prefer the f spelling of it.

steppemum · 16/12/2019 23:02

I know an adult Raphael called Raffy for short.
It is a lovely name and he doesn't seem to ahve any trouble with spellings

redforport · 16/12/2019 22:59

The two people I know who spell it Rafael pronounce it Rafal so that might possibly cause confusion if you spell it that way.

Lovely name either way though

Omashu · 16/12/2019 22:52

I prefer Rafael! It’s less fussy.