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Baby names

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

Original poster

Theo or Raphael?

107 replies

MrsMummyBx · 27/12/2019 04:45

Help!!! Need a name for our DS2 who is already here!! DS1 is Hugo. DH and I like Theo and also Raphael but can’t agree which one. I like both and don’t have a particular preference - thoughts on both below.

I like Theo but worried it’s well used in his age group, though I personally only know one Theo who doesn’t even live in the UK. We live in the south east. Also worried it might not be strong enough / with enough gravitas. I don’t particularly like Theodore so would only name him Theo. However I do think it goes nicely with Hugo.

I like Raphael but not sure if it’s too ‘arty’ for more serious things when he’s older- also the name with a ‘ph’ spelling seems to be a Jewish name (we aren’t Jewish), but at the same time it’s also the English spelling of the name - so not sure I care about inference of another religion. The spelling ‘Rafael’ is a Spanish etc spelling but I want an English spelt name as hubby is Italian so the child will already have an Italian surname and want an English first name to reflect both sides of his heritage.

Also like Jasper but yet to convince DH.

Preferences on the above two names please - also suggestions on any others are welcome!! We need to decide ASAP!!

Thank you xx

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Original poster
MrsMummyBx · 28/12/2019 16:02

@Grufallosfriends this is a good point re pronunciation, also why I think I’m less keen on Rory. I like it as a name but we live in Essex and pronounced with a strong Essex accent, would ruin it. Similarly Theo may get pronounced (including by DH!) as Feeo.

OP posts:
Butterfly005 · 28/12/2019 13:47

I really like both but prefer Theo.

OhHolyNightWaking · 28/12/2019 13:46

What does your gut say OP? When I looked at my babies I got an overwhelming sense of which name was right for them. It was possibly hormones, but I really did feel it.

Of your original names I prefer Theo, although I prefer it as a nickname TBH.
Hugo is a lovely name. What about Wilbur?

MikeUniformMike · 28/12/2019 13:14

I like Leo but don't like Theo. I'm not keen on names with 'th' in them, other than Elizabeth.

xJodiex · 28/12/2019 13:04

Out of all the names mentioned by others I like Rory the best.

Grufallosfriends · 28/12/2019 08:28

Rory and Rufus can be tricky for people who struggle with their Rs.

How about Marcus, Quentin or Fabian?

daisypond · 28/12/2019 06:38

I like both Theo and Raphael but Hugo and Theo are too matchy. Raphael doesn’t quite go either. Rufus and Rory are great.
Gabriel?
Guy?
Marcus?
Richard?
Edward?

Original poster
MrsMummyBx · 28/12/2019 05:59

Hi @LarkDescending my DH totally loves Leo but it does seem very popular at moment so in my mind I had written it off only for this reason...

OP posts:
LarkDescending · 28/12/2019 01:11

Congratulations! Lovely names on this thread.

Might Leo also work? Seems to be similar to your style and works with an Italian surname.

Original poster
MrsMummyBx · 28/12/2019 01:05

Thanks everyone, I’ve told DH to mull over Rufus and Barnaby overnight (but he wasn’t Immediately keen on the latter due to purple dinosaur connotations) and have told him to come up with a final shortlist based on all your suggestions!!

OP posts:
SumAndSubstance · 27/12/2019 23:31

Is Rufus still ok for a brown haired child do you think?
Yes, it's fine! I know two Rufuses (Rufi?) and neither has red hair, sadly. At least yours sounds like he will be able to grow a ginger beard at least Wink

PlantPotting · 27/12/2019 23:22

(Only ever referred to as his full name- Barnaby)

PlantPotting · 27/12/2019 23:21

Barnaby is one of my absolute favourite names btw - the one adult one I know is never known as Barney.

PlantPotting · 27/12/2019 23:20

I think Rory or Rufus are infinitely better than Raphael

I love Jasper too and do not think you should worry about “jasper carrot” OP. Next generation will have no idea about that

Original poster
MrsMummyBx · 27/12/2019 22:56

@ProperVexed lovely to hear that your son has carried the name well into adulthood, I do really like the name - another to add to my new shortlist!!

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsMummyBx · 27/12/2019 22:55

Rory is another great suggestion, going to float these to DH!

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsMummyBx · 27/12/2019 22:52

I’m really liking Rufus! Fab suggestion! The only thing is this boy won’t be a total ginge (like me!!) but he does seem to have a red tinge to his (what looks like at this early stage) mousy brown hair - and not sure which way this will go - more red or more brown. Is Rufus still ok for a brown haired child do you think?

OP posts:
Modernhistorybuff · 27/12/2019 20:50

Rufus is just perfect.

SumAndSubstance · 27/12/2019 19:35

Rufus means red-haired. Hugo and Rufus is cool Smile

PlatoAteMySnozcumber · 27/12/2019 18:00

Gabriel?

DramaAlpaca · 27/12/2019 17:13

Hugo & Rory would be perfect.

Theo doesn't go well with Hugo because of the similar endings. Raphael is nice but not the same sort of style. Jasper works well.

flounderfish · 27/12/2019 17:11

I'm in the south east and the last three baby boys I know have all been called Theo. V popular indeed!

It is a gorgeous name and if popularity isn't a game changer for you, it shouldn't matter too much.

Raphael is also a gorgeous name!

ProperVexed · 27/12/2019 17:08

Ooh. Hugo and Rory. Splendid suggestion.
Going back to my Barney suggestion....I have a Barnaby but he is always known as Barney ( unless I'm shouting!) He is now in his early twenties and considers it to be a great name....good for pulling the girls, apparently. He rarely has reference to bears or purple dinosaurs! I really wanted Hugo for my second son but it was vetoed by Neanderthal DH. The swine!

NorthernLightsInWinter · 27/12/2019 16:59

Ooooh, Rory is brilliant suggestion from above. Huge and Rory.
Lovely.

NorthernLightsInWinter · 27/12/2019 16:58

Jasper is awful. My DH wanted to name our second boy (now over 10) Jasper, and he is horrified having learned that.

I like Raphael. Rafferty is nice as well.