Gabriel or Raphael?

[earlgreyismynectar]

for a middle name? DP prefers Gabriel, I prefer Raphael, opinions please!

Raphael, Raffa for short. Think Nadal.

Gabriel is sweet. Raphael is extremely poncey.

we have a Raphael, Rafe for short. But actually love both

Can't help as a middle name - I have a Gabriel and if we have another boy he will be Raphael- so no help but both fabulous names!
What first name have you chosen?

oy inner thats DS2 you are talking about............Mind you I am extremely poncey.............

Raphael, by a long way. Lovely name.

Both heavenly
I give silly names but Raphael is quite 'up there' I think if you have a lot of confidence then do it. People might call you poncey but not to your face

I love Gabriel too but a bit too everyday for e although i used it as middle name

sorry not read your op properly - do Raphael oh yes - your allowed all degree of indulgance on a middle name. Beautiful!

First name Harris, surname 3 syllables beginning Peter. I love Raphael / Raff & think it works better with these names. Good to get feedback thanks!

Use both if you like them. My DC have two middle names.

True cece though it would probably be a bit much with them both being angelic names! Pushing it a bit?! Plus all the triple syllables make it a bit of a mouthful. At the other end of the spectrum, one syllable names such as John (a family name) sound brilliant, but I love Raphael...!

Gabriel

I like both but still don't understand the fuss about middle names. DD has two but has only recently learned to spell one of them because she doesn't use it. Ever.

Same Saint's Day as well

I prefer Raphael, I find gabriel too girly.

(can I say I prefer it to Harris, can't you use them the other way round and have Harris as the middle name? )

I'm with Kreecher.. To such an extent that mine dont HAVE middle names..

But I presume nobody's interested in my weird ways anyway..

Well DD has a middle name so I'd like them to have the same, one is enough. I see it as the chance to be a little playful too as someone else suggested!

Fair comment re preferring Raphael to Harris, I ran a thread on the first name agony of Harris / Harry, he's known as Harry with Harris as the more formal option if he prefers when older. This name choosing has been such agony! DD was much easier! I struggle with boys names... I thought Harris / Harry Raphael Peter_ sounded good & flowed. I appreciate honesty as hard as it is!!!

Raphael def flows better after Harry. If you call him Harris Raph...etc that sounds incredibly posh and a yes, poncey. However the Harry combo sounds like you've given him a normal name then just added a very posh middle name.

Def. Raphael after Harry - lovely name

there is a Raf in our school (Raphael), not a poncey family, mother is French. I think it is more common in Europe (catholic countries)

I know a Raphael too but his mother is from Argentina, I love the name.
Agree about middle names, they really don't get used much but we're probably even weirder in that we didn't give first 2 a middle name but did with third and may with fourth. The oldest does get a bit miffed she hasn't got one! Poor thing!

Raphael

Erm, we already have a Gabriel and the choice for the baby I am gestating will be Raphael, if its a boy. My only concern is that people will think we like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! But as long as we dont call the next one Donatello ;)

I never saw the Ninja Turtles so don't make that association though DP did mention it so it's obviously still "out there"! Love that a couple of you on here are using / have used both names for 2 sons, that's lovely! Raphael seems to have the edge just as I thought!

I love Gabriel.

It's looking like it's going to be Gabriel after all which I do love too (just not as much as Raphael!) but DP is refusing to budge. Raphael reminds him of Brazilian footballers and sleazy Latino types who say "hey laydeees" . How does Harris / Harry Gabriel Peter--- sound? Doesn't flow in my opinion but I do like it. Have to register next week as already had an additional 7 day reprieve due to DP not being home when he was meant to.