So what do we all think of the name Raoul?

[sexybrunettemotherof5]

I quite like it, but feel it might be a bit poncey, he might grow up to be a ballet dancer or somesuch. What do you think?

I think Moat now with taht spelling. Isn't it usually Raul?

Are you serious?

twas the name of the lovely spanish boy i had a holiday fling with when i was 17 ... very chaste and innocent ... sigh ... i like it!!!

I prefer it spelt as in my OP actually. And yes, Raoul Moat I suppose just goes against the grain of my original thoughts on the name. Maybe it is a manly name after all?

Moat.

(Trivia - apparently his mother was French, hence the name and that spelling. Why this has stuck in my head, I don't know)

Is it also the name of the younger man in the Phantom of the Opera? Maybe that's why you think of ballet dancers?

Yes, but who's going to remember Raoul Moat in a couple of years time? I wanted to call our youngest Leo, but DH dissuaded me because it was the name of Tony Blair's son. Now no-one can remember him now!

Agh! Insensitive comment about "remembering" Raoul Moat; obviously assumes you weren't affected by the incident.

Makes me think of Phantom

I thought of Raoul Duke from Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas :)

Why not give Adolf a spin, or Myra if it's a girl?

What's wrong with a boy becoming a ballet dancer?

Before Raoul Moat, I would have said it was lovely. I think I may have suggested it to people looking for something foreign but familiar.

But now, I think it needs to be rested for a while. I don't think it's in the same league as Myra though. Raoul Moat will be forgotten. Myra is a 'legend'.

I love the idea that because it's associated with Moat it's a manly name. After all he was an utter coward and weak man.

I love the name Myra but would be loathe to use it because of other people's negative associations :(

It is my friend's mum's name and she manages OK.

How can you say maybe it is manly then, insensitive.

I'm ashamed to say, I didn't even think of Moat.

Still wouldn't be on my list. You'd have to very much be a certain type of boy/man to carry it off with aplomb.

What Mummylovessadie said.

My ex boss was called Raoul and he was a lovely and extremely capable man.

However whenever I thought of his name, it brought to mind the sound of a dog howling - Ra-oouuuuulll .

The Phannnnnnnnnnnnnnntom of the Opera is here...

Depends when you're due. If its this year, I wouldn't, as everyone will think if Moat. Next year - see how the publicity is at the time.

Aside from Moat, I think its a lovely name. Though the Raoul in Phantom is a fop.

It only makes me think of Moat. Sorry.

When the Moat thing was happening, every time I heard the name on the news I thought "what a great name". But too much has been and gone since then, it wouldn't be right for a couple of years now at least. I don't think murderer names are necessarily a no-go, but when it's an unusual name which a lot of people will only associate with the killer, I think you have to avoid. It will look like you've named the baby after him.

I like Raoul. Classic, simple name. Not overused. Great. .

No-one will think of Raoul Moat when they hear Raoul in a year's time.

I don't get the ballet dancer comment, actually. Are you saying you think your ds is likely to become a ballet dancer and you're not sure if Raoul is a suitable name? Or are you saying the name Raoul will make him become one ?

makes me think of moat too sorry !

I don't see Raoul as a ballet dancer, more a mechanic