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Baby names

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Original poster

Nicknames for Raphael

63 replies

bluemoony · 23/06/2023 08:08

Have fallen for Raphael recently.

I used to prefer Rafael but feel like it is too associated with Spain and Italy which we have no links to and gradually have come to love the PH version more.

I would appreciate peoples opinions and feedback on spellings of nicknames for Raphael out of the following options-

Raffy

Raphy

Raphie

Rapha?

Many thanks

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RampantIvy · 23/06/2023 16:31

D'oh!

Of course (hides behind the settee)

midsomermurderess · 23/06/2023 16:29

Harris. But Rolph will be heard as Rolf.

midsomermurderess · 23/06/2023 16:29

Harris.

RampantIvy · 23/06/2023 16:28

midsomermurderess · 23/06/2023 16:11

Rolph, as suggested above, might be a bit problematic in the UK.

Why? Loads of children have non British names. I have a Russisn name.

midsomermurderess · 23/06/2023 16:11

Rolph, as suggested above, might be a bit problematic in the UK.

DuchessOfSausage · 23/06/2023 13:34

@RampantIvy , I kind of get it.

Someone picks a name they love for a child but it's long, e.g. Valentino or Valentina, but they don't want it shortened to Val or Tino/Tina so they might pick a 'nn' e.g. Vito or Leni.

Someone wants to name their child Erin but they aren't sure it will give them enough options so they put Katherine or Katerina or Ekaterina on the BC.
(me neither, but hey ho)

Someone feels obliged something they're not keen on and would like a 'nn' to use instead.

You get other ones who insist that little Desiderata and Orlando will never ever be called by anything other than the full name.

RampantIvy · 23/06/2023 12:37

Apologies for this but, I have never been able to understand threads where posters choose a name then ask for a nickname. Just choose a name you like instead. I called DD a name I liked that doesn't need turning into a nickname or shortening.

How about Ralph/Rolph as a name instead?

Junotempest · 23/06/2023 11:29

Another vote for Rafa/ Rapha I adore that nn. Raphie is a little cutesy and doesn't do justice to the handsome elegance of Raphael IMO.

shoopshoopdedoo · 23/06/2023 10:42

Love Rafa/Rapha (the one I know is fab!)

HabitatRat · 23/06/2023 10:38

I've used both Raffy and Rafa spellings

DuchessOfSausage · 23/06/2023 10:06

What I don't like it is the way it gets said (or yelled) Raff-ah-YELL.
The spanish or hebrew pronunciations are quite nice. Raff makes me think of riff-raff.

Ihaveoflate · 23/06/2023 09:52

It's very on trend in my Jewish circles at the moment (Rafael) and it's always shortened to Raffy (not sure of spelling).

I really like it and it was on my list of boys names for when I had my daughter. I'm glad we didn't have to use it in the end because every second baby born in my community is named Rafael/Raffy.

DuchessOfSausage · 23/06/2023 09:34

I don't like any of them.