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Baby names

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

Original poster

Can I name my child after a Ninja Turtle?

69 replies

TurtlesAreRetroRight · 18/04/2011 15:21

I'm only half joking.

Girls names are fine. But if this baby turns out to be a boy, we're really struggling. We like several names but don't love any of them enough to know it's the right one. DD LOVES Raphael, largely because the Ninja Turtles are her heroes. Usually I'd say because she's 3, her opinion doesn't count (her toy panda is called Roscoetina for example) BUT the more she insists, the more I'm thinking 'well, Rafe's quite nice'. It's the hormones isn't it?

I can't have a Rafe can I? Certainly not just because dd likes the Ninja Turtles this month and I can't come up with any better ideas.

To give you an idea of names I like...

Seth
Silas
Amos
Inigo
Emrys

If it's a girl she'll be Josephine Aphra. It had better be a girl really.

Any ideas?

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chocolatecoveredrationalist · 18/04/2011 15:24

My DH's middle name is Raphael, he often wishes his mum had been brave enough to make it his first name. He was named after his dad's best friend who is Rafa for short.

DooinMeCleanin · 18/04/2011 15:24

If you like Rafe why not use Rafe?

If I ever had a boy it would Jamie.

mrsravelstein · 18/04/2011 15:25

we struggled for weeks to come up with a name for ds2. at 6 weeks old we were driving to the registry office still arguing about names, when ds1 piped up with 'let's call him raphael, raf for short'. i loved it. unfortunately dh refused precisely on the basis of the ninja turtles. but i still think it's lovely, and i don't know that most people would associate it with the turtles immediately if they met someone with that name.

SolarPanel · 18/04/2011 15:25

Raphael is OK and I didn't think "turtle".

I also like Seth, Silas and Amos.

Several combinations would sound nice...

Amos Raphael
Seth Raphael
Silas Raphael
Raphael Amos
Raphael Silas
Raphael Seth

LyraBelaqua · 18/04/2011 15:25

Raphael is a lovely name even when your DD doesn't like the TMNT any more :)

chocolatecoveredrationalist · 18/04/2011 15:26

I meant to add if you really feel the need to distance yourself from the turtles you could go for the spanish spelling, Rafael (which is what DH should have been)

thereisalightanditnevergoesout · 18/04/2011 15:26

Raphael is lovely. The name of my Chiropractor - so suits grown up professionals as well as Ninja Turtles.

I like your list.

Love Josephine (I want the nn Posy).

NorkilyChallenged · 18/04/2011 15:26

I like Seth a lot.

Think Raphael is fine and doesn't automatically make me think of Ninja Turtles at all, think Rafe is quite popular (on here at least, think I only know 1 in real life)

Original poster
TurtlesAreRetroRight · 18/04/2011 15:30

I do like the fact that it's an archangel name. I could have another and call it Uriel. You see this is the sort of shit my hormone-addled brain is thinking. I've lost the ability to know whether Raphael is acceptable.

OP posts:
Original poster
TurtlesAreRetroRight · 18/04/2011 15:33

I like Posy. But Sephie is pretty as well.

I have seen Rafe on here a lot but never actually see anybody using it, here or in rl.

Well I'm pleased with the reaction. Nobody's said it's 'cruel' yet so maybe dd is onto something.

Raphael Amos. Hmmm, I like.

OP posts:
Whatevs · 18/04/2011 16:32

Raphael is nicer than any of your choices Grin

Raph is a cool nickname

LynetteScavo · 18/04/2011 16:35

Leonardo is lovely.

FollowMe · 18/04/2011 16:35

Raphael is a fine name and it turtles wouldnt be the first thing I thought of if someone I know called their child Raphael!

I went to school with a Rafe, plus DS now has a Rafe in his class and theres one at toddler group. I'd say its a pretty normal name, if not common Smile

CarefulWithThatAxeEugene · 18/04/2011 16:36

Raphael or Rafael is one of my favourite names. Absolutely acceptable, and is enjoying a bit more prominence because of the tennis player.

LilyBolero · 18/04/2011 16:37

Raphael is lovely, you could nn Rafa as in Nadal - there are worse role models, and better than a turtle!

LilyBolero · 18/04/2011 16:38

And ds2 was at playgroup with a Rafa, and no-one raised an eyebrow!

Grabaspoon · 18/04/2011 16:38

Well at least it's not Shredder Grin Use it I think it's lovely (Raphael I mean)

Original poster
TurtlesAreRetroRight · 18/04/2011 16:38

To be clear, I'm not worried about people thinking of turtles. It's whether or not 'I can't think of anything better and dd quite likes it and it's from her favourite programme' is a legitimate reason for picking a name.

OP posts:
CarefulWithThatAxeEugene · 18/04/2011 16:50

Archangel, famous artist, "God's healer" is a great positive meaning, it's a really nice name, not overused and not obscure or faddy, what's not to like? Grin

Original poster
TurtlesAreRetroRight · 18/04/2011 16:52

You've convinced me. Raphael for a boy. I'll let you know in a week or so what s/he is.

OP posts:
MaundyBra · 18/04/2011 16:53

Good decision.

Original poster
TurtlesAreRetroRight · 18/04/2011 16:57

Raphael Splinter Shredder Uriel Shadrach?

OP posts:
pumpkinpoppet · 18/04/2011 18:13

Great name. Love Raphael and Raph is a cool nn

Reality · 18/04/2011 19:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

redwiner · 18/04/2011 19:04

Personally I love Raphael/Rafael however you decide to spell it, I prefer it to Rafe which sounds to me like a posh way of saying Ralph!
Go for it girlie, turtles never entered my head!