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Baby names

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

Original poster

Thoughts on the girl name Raphaella?

78 replies

mumofgirls35 · 01/12/2023 21:51

Baby arriving in 8 weeks, still haven't settled on a name. Came across this one and found it interesting. What do you think of it? Thanks

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YoullCatchYourDeathInTheFog · 01/12/2023 23:07

I prefer Rafaela or Rafaella as spellings. Nice name, I personally would get bored with saying "no, no Italian heritage we just liked the name" but if you wouldn't find that a problem then that's your choice.

FreshWinterMorning · 01/12/2023 23:05

No!

BebbanburgIsMine · 01/12/2023 23:00

My mother wanted to call me Raphaellla, I'm so glad my dad talked her out of it!

Ended up with the female version of the local football team he played for, but still better than Raphaella.

KnittedCardi · 01/12/2023 22:45

My DM was Carla Rafaella Fausta Margherita..... Italian lady.

lunaticfringer · 01/12/2023 22:40

I really really love it

totalnamechanger · 01/12/2023 22:38

And all the best for the next couple of months 😊😊

TLDRfuckers · 01/12/2023 22:38

If the Teenage mutant Ninja turtles were female.

Holidayhell22 · 01/12/2023 22:37

Like it.

totalnamechanger · 01/12/2023 22:36

Nice. Knew a Brazilian girl called it and didn’t think it either flouncy or Thomasinaish. Just flows well

SwishSwashSwooshSwersh · 01/12/2023 22:27

Like it

Throwingpots · 01/12/2023 22:25

That’s my daughters middle name, spelt Rafaela. My mother was Spanish.

GreigeO · 01/12/2023 22:23

I think it sounds pretentious

NeverTrustAPoliceman · 01/12/2023 22:22

Love it but biased as the one I know, a feisty teenager, suits it perfectly. She has Spanish and Latin American heritage and prefers the full name to any shortened versions.

I would encourage Raffi rather than Ella if it was my child.

eleah · 01/12/2023 22:21

Love it!

WetBandits · 01/12/2023 22:16

Lovely name, but much prefer Rafaela.

Blessedbethefruitz · 01/12/2023 22:15

Beautiful! Raffi is super sweet, but she'll have a formal interesting name for a strong woman too. We have a Greek analogue for dd.

flowerchild2000 · 01/12/2023 22:14

Very cool! Wouldn't the nickname be Ella though? One of the most common names recently I've heard (I heard from Tiktok so who knows)...

DeedlessIndeed · 01/12/2023 22:14

Clearly I'm in the minority, but it seems a bit frilly, ruffle-y and flouncy.

However, you're not going to please everyone! If you love it - go for it!

Echobelly · 01/12/2023 22:13

I think it's nice, and Raffi for short is cute for a girl.

Baublewarble · 01/12/2023 22:12

It’s the white ferrero rocher isn’t it?

theduchessofspork · 01/12/2023 22:08

Raphaela is how it’s usually spelt in the Uk I think. No extra L

I like it

localnotail · 01/12/2023 21:57

Isn't it the name of that white fluffy looking sweet?
But kind of nice, sounds Italian.

HahaBooHiss · 01/12/2023 21:56

I really like it!

HeddaGarbled · 01/12/2023 21:54

I like it.

LucyInTheParkWithDragons · 01/12/2023 21:54

I like it. Interesting, pretty, and enough consonants to stand out form all the Evies and Avas.

With a name that long I think you need to be happy with potential shortenings. Raffi? Phee? Ella?

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