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Baby names

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

Help! Leo, Nico or Raphael?

37 replies

Belen82 · 09/11/2024 10:16

That’s it really, very much stuck on baby boys name. Leo was always the front runner but has lost a bit of its charm as it seems to have become very popular. Nico only came to us recently, less common but short and punchy like Leo… but I really dislike the name Nicholas and don't want people to think it’s short for that… also as we haven’t had it on the list for long not sure if it’s a ‘trendy’ name that won’t be great in a decade or so… Raphael I believe is a classic and very international (we are an Aus / euro family), not unheard of but not super popular… but quite long (his brothers name is just one syllable).

Keen to hear thoughts on this. We live in Australia.

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ScruffMuffin · 13/11/2024 21:22

Still Raphael!

Pinkelephant66 · 13/11/2024 18:49

Leo or nico!

raphael is a bit of a mouthful

TinyMouseTheatre · 13/11/2024 18:46

Raphael.

Cappuccinowithonesugarplease · 13/11/2024 18:30

My eldest is Leo
Always loved the name, it was fairly uncommon back then. He is 15 now

CallMeCrazyButIDontLikeStoreBoughtPesto · 13/11/2024 16:05

Honestly, I feel Raphael is on the cusp of masculine but Raph and Raphe do not count as masculine at all, in my book. Reeks of parent trying to be hip to me. It's just an opinion tho and I may be in the minority.

Belen82 · 12/11/2024 21:01

Ok ladies, Nico has been eliminated. In Australia this will inevitably be shortened to ‘Nick’ regardless.

So down to Leo & Raphael. My husband feels like Leo is a bit of a soft name whereas our other son has a strong masculine name. I know a small handful of Leo’s so it’s not wow original. But safe bet. But also wondering if it will become like the Bradley / Simon / Timothy of the 90s in terms of being trendy right now.

Raphael is a strong masculine name but seems to be a name people love or hate (as validated by these comments), much less common, and I’m also wondering if it’s a bit of a mouthful next to a brother with one syllable name. Definitely more of a timeless / classic one though.

Sooo tricky and so hard being close to the finish line and so unsure! I welcome more thoughts opinions and comments. Helping so much xx

OP posts:
Daisybuttercup12345 · 11/11/2024 21:13

Leo. Don't like the others.

user2848502016 · 11/11/2024 11:24

Leo for me
Raphael 2nd but a bit of a mouthful and not that easy to shorten, Raph I guess.
Nico I'm not keen on with an English accent

Manchesterbythesea · 11/11/2024 10:45

God I’m usually really fussy but I like all those names!
Ds20 has a friend called Nico. Such a cool name. I’ve never considered it to be short for anything. I think his mum is Spanish or Italian maybe.
Leo is lovely.
We have a Raphael in the family and as someone else said it’s cute as it is or shortened to Rapha.

LauderSyme · 11/11/2024 10:33

Leo is by far my favourite. I know one in particular whom I am rather fond of 💙😊The rise in popularity of the name is a bit of a bugbear; I knew none and never really heard it when I chose it, then within months I knew tons and heard it everywhere.

But I like the others too and I wouldn't say they are pretentious names. I know a little Nico (pronounced Nee-ko) and it has never occurred to anyone that he's actually a Nicholas.

Raphael is beautiful and could be shortened to Rafe which is funky and better then Raff.

Aquacrab · 11/11/2024 10:22

Leo.

The other two are pretentious.

Belen82 · 11/11/2024 10:19

Thanks everyone, really helpful to hear a range of views. Seems like Leo is a clear winner, Raphael second and Nico not so much. Has given me much to ponder !

OP posts:
User122456 · 10/11/2024 17:48

Raphael NN Raffi is one of my fave names so that’s my vote

CallMeCrazyButIDontLikeStoreBoughtPesto · 10/11/2024 17:46

RogueFemale · 10/11/2024 01:34

I don't like any of the three, and you're in Australia not Renaissance Italy.

@ScruffMuffin I thought it was a great comment.

ScruffMuffin · 10/11/2024 15:02

RogueFemale · 10/11/2024 01:34

I don't like any of the three, and you're in Australia not Renaissance Italy.

A bit rude!

RogueFemale · 10/11/2024 01:34

I don't like any of the three, and you're in Australia not Renaissance Italy.

CallMeCrazyButIDontLikeStoreBoughtPesto · 09/11/2024 21:05

Raphael just reminds me of teenage mutant ninja turtles but at least brother's names would be sorted.

Nico then Leo.

motleymop · 09/11/2024 20:52

I really like Nico but to me it's a name for someone with olive skin and dark hair - I don't think it would work if he's likely to be very fair.

sparklesandsparkles · 09/11/2024 20:46

I like Leo🙃

shoopshoopdedoo · 09/11/2024 20:44

I love Leo.

I like Nico, but I prefer it as a short form of Nicholas. It doesn’t seem as strong as Leo as a standalone name, to me.

Raphael is OK but might feel at odds with a much shorter sibling name.

StressedQueen · 09/11/2024 16:47

Leo and Nico are both gorgeous. I don't think people will think Nico is short for Nicholas tbh, most of them go by Nick. I hate Raphael

36and3 · 09/11/2024 13:53

Theo, milo, Hugo, Jago ?

Sleepysleepycoffeecoffee · 09/11/2024 13:32

Belen82 · 09/11/2024 10:16

That’s it really, very much stuck on baby boys name. Leo was always the front runner but has lost a bit of its charm as it seems to have become very popular. Nico only came to us recently, less common but short and punchy like Leo… but I really dislike the name Nicholas and don't want people to think it’s short for that… also as we haven’t had it on the list for long not sure if it’s a ‘trendy’ name that won’t be great in a decade or so… Raphael I believe is a classic and very international (we are an Aus / euro family), not unheard of but not super popular… but quite long (his brothers name is just one syllable).

Keen to hear thoughts on this. We live in Australia.

Not Leo - go for Raphael ☺️

ScruffMuffin · 09/11/2024 13:31

1 Raphael, by a country mile. Raph or Raphy while he's little, if you like.
2 Nico
3 Leo - boring!!

BoleynMemories13 · 09/11/2024 12:19

Leo is by far the nicest. Names get popular for a reason.

Raphael is probably more popular than you realise now. Really dislike Nico.