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Baby names

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

Original poster

Raphael?

38 replies

QuackQuackQuackQuack · 04/04/2009 11:24

Do you like it?

Would it just become Ralph to everyone? I'm not a fan of Ralph

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peasandbeans · 07/04/2009 18:04

'tis Biblical: book of Tobit. One of three main archangels along with Michael and Gabriel.
The 'El' bit means God. He is also the patron saint of travellers.
Great name! (ds1's middle name).

pranma · 07/04/2009 17:50

we know a baby Raphael known as Rafa

IwantPeace · 06/04/2009 09:56

Love it

thisisyesterday · 05/04/2009 21:47

i love Raphael.
but I already have a Gabriel, so a Raphael might be a bit much lol

margot, I want to call db3 Richey, but dp is not keen grrr

bettany · 05/04/2009 21:41

Love it, especially Rafe.

ItsMargotBeauregarde · 05/04/2009 18:26

btw, if you spell it Raphael, with ph, then why would anyone assume you must be Spanish or Italian?

ItsMargotBeauregarde · 05/04/2009 18:25

Quackquack, he's called Richie. But rafa would suit him, he's got a mop of golden curls. If I'd known!

permabagofminieggsonthego · 05/04/2009 17:53

Really lovely name - I think it is quite a smart name IYKWIM (e.g. Rafe on The Apprentice!) though think that was Raef which may have been abbrev of something entirely dif. Does it work with your surname?

Tatties · 05/04/2009 17:51

Love it
I know a German Raphael

loobylu3 · 05/04/2009 17:48

Lovely name- classic with good options for nns too.

LetThemEatCake · 05/04/2009 17:26

I've got some friends, Aussie couple, with a boy called Luca. They don't get asked this question - like I said in a previous post, I think that all the national boundaries are pretty blurred these days. Globalisation blah blah blah ... no one bats an eyelid

LisaLouby27 · 05/04/2009 17:12

DH thinks we should definitely go for this name. The only reservation I have left is will poor DS spend the rest of his life being asked if he has mediterranean roots, which I suspect would become quite boring and irritating after a while

What do you think?

nulgirl · 05/04/2009 17:07

Have a good friend in France called raphael. It is shortened to Raph (Raf). Love the name but didn't want to use it as I didn't want to name ds after my friend iyswim

everGreensleeves · 05/04/2009 16:57

So what if people briefly remember a tv show? It's not the name of a toilet cleaner. And anyway IMO people only see these associations when the baby is a theoretical person - once it's a child the name is just his/her name and a much stronger new association with the name develops quickly.

oysterpots · 05/04/2009 16:55

I know a Raphael, sister is Vita. Italian roots, I thought it adventurous when I first heard it, but now think it's lovely and unusual.

Nah, people might think ninja turtles at first but it's a fairly obscure reference and unlikely to have a revival I'd think!

Original poster
QuackQuackQuackQuack · 05/04/2009 16:23

I made the mistake ofposting about this name on another forum and a few ladies said it would always remind them of the ninja turtles, do you think that would be the case for a lot of people?

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everGreensleeves · 05/04/2009 16:15

Shorten it to Raffy or Raffles

LilyBolero · 05/04/2009 16:09

Rafa is a nice shortening. I like it, and I think Rafa Nadal has saved it from being 'pretentious' which it might have been otherwise.

LetThemEatCake · 05/04/2009 16:05

I think think it's a winner all round.
And honestly, I think national/ ethnic/ religious boundaries are so blurred these days that nationality scarcely matters when choosing a name. I remember DH expressing concern when I voiced a liking for Noah, saying "but we're not Jewish"

I was like, hmm, yes I can see how that might be a problem .. considering that my name is Sarah and yours is David....

Original poster
QuackQuackQuackQuack · 05/04/2009 15:25

What is your son called Margot?

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ItsMargotBeauregarde · 05/04/2009 15:14

I like it. It would suit my own son.

LisaLouby27 · 05/04/2009 15:11

Its unusual thats for sure. I wouldnt be brave enough to use it but it is a lovely name

littleducks · 04/04/2009 12:58

I know a Rafael (mum is swedish)and 3 is called either by his full name or Raf

Original poster
QuackQuackQuackQuack · 04/04/2009 12:36

Looks like there is no reason why we shouldnt pick it then

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belgo · 04/04/2009 12:32

I know two Rafaëls in Belgium, both belgian, in their thirties.