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Baby names

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Original poster

Dante or Rafael with Italian surname?

35 replies

Pinkywoo · 30/12/2021 13:22

DS2 is due in two months and we can't decide on a name! DH is Italian (Sicily) and I'm English, at the moment he prefers Rafael and I like Dante. He says no-one under the age of 90 is called Dante and he'll be the only one, but that's precisely why I like it, DH has the most common name in southern Italy, literally half of males in Sicily seem to be called it (any Italians will be able to guess it!).
Also DS1 is called Michael and which is quite similar to Rafael, help!

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Original poster
Pinkywoo · 15/04/2022 09:57

Update!

We went for Dante, he arrived two weeks early and as soon as I saw him I knew that was his name. Thanks for all the help!

OP posts:
peaceinourtime · 04/01/2022 06:06

Dante is lovely, go for it.

Original poster
Pinkywoo · 02/01/2022 15:33

@SwedishEdith

I love both - I think you should have another boy after this one to use whichever you don't use this time. Gorgeous names.
Haha nope, definitely done after this one! Grin
OP posts:
timoteigirl · 02/01/2022 15:29

100% Rafael. Dante seems to me like trying too hard although I like the name,

SwedishEdith · 02/01/2022 15:12

I love both - I think you should have another boy after this one to use whichever you don't use this time. Gorgeous names.

LactoseTheIntolerant · 02/01/2022 08:12

Another vote for Dante, love it!

Signoramarella · 02/01/2022 07:58

I love both. They will become raf e Dan quickly at school. V unusual. My ds both have italian names, through their italian father. .and they love being the only ' xxx' at their massive secondary school.. If pushed Id choose Dante.

ProperVexed · 02/01/2022 07:47

Love Dante. I know a ten year old Dante who has Portuguese parents.

DearFrutti · 02/01/2022 07:36

I love Dante. Rafael is a bit wet imo.

whoknew23 · 31/12/2021 11:15

Rafael sounds nicer

deadlanguage · 31/12/2021 11:10

I much prefer Rafael

Original poster
Pinkywoo · 31/12/2021 11:02

@Ellmau

Dante is great.

Is Rafael the Sicilian form? I would have expected Raffaele in Italy.

No, but we both agreed that Raffaelle looked a little bit too Italian next to Michael, and would also have pronunciation issues in English.
OP posts:
SittingOvation · 31/12/2021 00:38

I love Dante. It was on our shortlist.

campion · 31/12/2021 00:28

Rafael. It's not too close to Michael in English pronunciation.
If your DH doesn't like Dante then that's a bit of a non starter.

Ellmau · 31/12/2021 00:24

Dante is great.

Is Rafael the Sicilian form? I would have expected Raffaele in Italy.

DanteRest · 30/12/2021 21:20

Name changed for obvious reasons....
Dante is my preference, we would have called our DS Dante but it's too close to our surname, so instead named something else Dante.... our restaurant!

Noni123 · 30/12/2021 20:57

Definitely Dante a lovely name

Cas112 · 30/12/2021 20:53

Dante

Luredbyapomegranate · 30/12/2021 17:09

Rafael

Original poster
Pinkywoo · 30/12/2021 17:08

@Skeumorph also DH named DS1 after his dad (I loved the name though so was fine with that), so it's my turn, this is more to help make my mind up.

@ChristmasRobins that did cross my mind, but my sister thinks Rafael would then be a ninja turtles theme! and that we should give Michael the middle name Angelo

OP posts:
ChristmasRobins · 30/12/2021 16:30

I prefer Dante. Rafael would make me think you were going for an archangel theme.

Skeumorph · 30/12/2021 16:13

Italian surname from his side of family, so YOUR choice of first name.

Dante and Michael is lovely

Zandathepanda · 30/12/2021 15:09

He will be Dan or Raf/Rafe very quickly at school.
I like Dante best

Geamhradh · 30/12/2021 14:35

About 150 Dantes born in Italy last year, it's been on a steady rise since 2000 when there were only 29 born. Almost all in the north west, and Sicily next to the bottom for Dante popularity.
I'd wager every single one is named after a grandfather.

Rafael (Raffaele) travels much better and is much nearer in tone and popularity to Michael.

OrangeAndYellowAndBlue · 30/12/2021 14:11

I know two babies in England called Dante, oddly enough (both have Italian parents). So he wouldn't be the only one!

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