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 wouldn't say posh, more Italian (although I think it is more Portuguese someone correct me) it's a lovely name, I especially like Rafe.

It is just the turtle connection that would put me off, but they are very old hat now.

Hopefully I will have a little Rafael (Rafa) at the end of next month. Nadal, Benitez, the painter dude, the angel, and dp's grandad :o

Definitely not posh!

I love Raffi as a nn. Raphael is a bit posh for playground use but with a good workaday nn you can't go wrong.

I like Rafael, I also like Rufus!

And Felix is NOT wet (metaphorically. Physically he is often somewhat soggy!)

I give you exhibit A: Felix Baumgartner, proper nutjob basejumper man.

Giles posh yes. ALmost ludicrously so which is a shame because I like the name. colin is so banal. Nigel has become a sort of stereotype of a nerd's name. Colin is just so banal. Gordon I quite like though!

It's perfect!

Watching with interest. We're considering this name too but I'd veto'd it as pretentious. Looking at replies maybe it's not??? Love the idea of RifRaf as a toddler nn.

My DS is Rafael. We love the name and are not posh. He's Raffy a lot.