Do I need to be posh to get away with Raphael?

[MJandherdog]

I'm due to give birth in Feb but unlike with my dd's name, with this pregnancy I cannot 'make peace' with myself over my ds's name.

I really like Raphael but fear it might fall into the 'too posh' bracket.

I also like Felix (not bothered by the cat connotations- there are far worse things to be compared to!).

I don't really like the idea of a really popular name and don't want anything that's too faddy/ pretentious.

Grateful for your thoughts...I'm a big girl and can handle the truth!

I don't think it's too posh, but I do think it's gorgeous! And he'll grow up to be very handsome, Raphaels are always handsome.

I'm not a fan of Felix, it's a bit wet for my taste.

Ooh I like the sound of him being handsome! Sold!

I think Raphael is a fine name.

What do you think of [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teenage_Mutant_Ninja_Turtles Leonardo,
Michelangelo and Donatello]]? Sorry

Sounds a bit wet to me I'm afraid. Think hairdresser or dancer!

I too was going to say its appropriate if you are posh or a teenaged mutant ninja turtle

I know a Raphael of 10, mostly called Raf (Raph), which is nice, I think.

It is an angel's name, like Michael and Gabriel.

Is posh bad, anyway?!

I loved the Turtles!

I am concerned about the posh connotations...I always think if you go for a posh name and you're just 'normal' (whatever that means?) that it just appears a bit pretentious.

This is sooooo hard!

British people are far too aware of not wanting to be seen getting above their station in life.

The only name I think is 'too posh' is Peregrine. To me that is a comedy posh.

Raphael belongs to the people. Raffie is cute on a toddler and Raf works excellently on a teen.

I think it's a lovely name. I would expect the family either to have Italian connexions or to be observant Christians.

No - I love Raphael. Although be warned: I adore 'flouncy' boys names - Gabriel, Reuben, Sebastian, Elijah, Amadeo, Ezra.

It is a common name in catholic countries, and amongst Jewish people. It is only unusual or " posh" in Britain.

This whole being posh and ideas above your station annoy me, may have to start a thread about that!!!!

Good Catholic girl reporting for duty!

Chandon I'd be interested to see what responses you get from your new thread! There are definite names for me that sit in the too posh for me bracket, such as:

Tarquin
St John
Hugo
Rupert

Love raf and raffa..

Reminds me of nadal. Mmmmmm.

I like it a lot - though prefer it spelt Rafael as in Spain (we lived there when dd was born, had she been a ds it would have def. been on my list).

I love it. I wouldn't like Sebastian as I'd see it as being a cliche posh name, like Ptolomy, so I do see your concerns.

Hugo is not posh any more there is at least 5 hugos in dc school and more hughs.

I love the name I almost called my son it, my nans dog is raffa after nadel. Yes it's posh but it's also piratey!

I love it, my ds is Raphael usually Raf. But his middle name is Sebastian, make of that what you will...
Think there are quite a few Raphaels/Rafaels these days.

I love Sebastian too Aquavit...I've obviously got good taste :-)

I think I'm sold...now I just have to persuade DH...

My Raphael is called Raph or Rafa or Rafe or RifRaf. We're not posh at all. His middle name is Erasmus though!

We try to tell people he's named after the angel but dd's the biggest ninja turtles fan in the world and she insisted he was called Raphael and it stuck.

I started a thread whilst pregnant with him in 2011 and every single reply was overwhelmingly positive.

Slightly annoyingly 2 other women had Raphaels within months of his birth and they'll be in his school year. Oddly, I taught them at a parentcraft session towards the end of their pregnancies. I showed them how to change nappies and bath the baby. They clearly approved of his name...

Thanks for that ThreadPeople! If I remember correctly:

Leonardo leads, Donatello does machines,
Raphael is cool but crude ("give me a break") (said in annoying US accent)
Michelangelo is a party dude ("part-t-t-t-a-a-y") (Said in equally annoying voice)

It's annoying when it's quite clear that people have been influenced by your choice of names. Within 4 months of my dd being born, two men that I work with, who both commented on what a nice name it was, subsequently called their dds the same name! Herrumph!

I have a Raphael too, nn Rafe and of course think it's a lovely name! He is 3 in February and I haven't come across any others

I love it. Love Raffa for short. Wanted it for my DS but DH is a big bore and vetoed it.

I dont think its posh, and so what if it is?
Does Giles fall into the posh catergory?

No but Giles is in MY unusable list along with Nigel, Gordon and Colin.

I love Raphael (it is DS2's middle name). DS1 is named after the other, more well-known Archangel!