Rafe/Raphael/Rafferty

[nasara]

Still on a quest for our perfect boys' name!

I do like all three but have a slight reservation on each:

Rafe - I like it because it's short and snappy, but think I prefer the long a sound of the other two.

Raphael - I love the nn potentials, but not sure it goes with my last name (Mi tchell)

Rafferty - again, I love the nn potentials, but perhaps this one is a bit surnamey and a bit of a celeb copy cat

What do you think?

Raphael, no question. Rafe, OK... Rafferty? Too fluffy for me.

All of them do sound quite pretentious IMO. Doesn't the awful Sadie Frost have a boy called Rafferty? Too celeb for me and I think will date badly. Raphael works if you've got a bit of Mediterranean links but otherwise is a bit public school for me.

I like Raphael, and could be shortened to Rafe - so best of both worlds!
Don't like Rafferty, sorry!

Rafe Rafe Rafe!!! Can you guess that I have one...?

It is a strong name, that as you say is short and snappy - it works with your surname and to me it feels like it could belong to someone with a talent for anything/doing any job - whereas the others have a more 'arty' feel (just my opinion!).

I struggled with naming my Son - loved this name and also toyed with Rafferty as think it's so sweet for a small boy. I posted on mn - if you search for Rafe in names I'm sure the threads will pop up!

I'm so glad a chose a name I love. Rafe worked for my sweet baby and still for my boisterous incredibly loud toddler...(he was 'Rafey' as a baby - and calls himself Rafey too!)

Whatever we think though, you should choose the one you love best!

Oh and Rafe isn't a version of Raphael as some think - it has a norse root and means 'Wolf' or 'counsel of wolves' - which I also really liked....!

Although of course it would make a great nn for Raphael as RAFwife suggests. must stop posting....

Rafe was my boys name for dd I love it.

Rafe!

Ha! I have a thread about names for DC3 and Rafferty is my favourite boys name but DH unpersuadable

I love it, and love nn Raffy. Also like Rafe but not keen on Raphael.

Definitely Raphael. Not keen on Rafe or Rafferty.

Rafferty is a bit common. Raphael? Gaining in popularity but is ok. I've never come across a Rafe but wasn't it an alternative pronunciation to Ralph at one time? It sounds nice, Ralph doesn't.

I'd say for Raphael you need some mediterranean heritage, but I love the sound of the word, it's really beautiful.

Rafe makes me think of the rather pretentious (IMO) pronunciation of Ralph, and also the fabulous Rafe Spall.

I like Rafferty, but it is a bit slebby.

I love Raphael and you can use Rafe/Raffy/Rafa as a nickname for this so best of both worlds.

Rafferty is a surname or a celeb baby name.

I love Raphael!

You could shorten it to Raph or Rafa like the tennis player!

Oh I like all 3, think I would go for Rafferty if I had to choose.

Raphael (or Rafael, which is Spanish I think) - beautiful.

Rafe - meh.

Rafferty is awful.

Thanks for the input so far - it really does help.

I think Rafferty has moved way down the list, but do you think Raphael goes with my last name (M itch ell)?

I had discounted all other names ending in -el/ell as sounding quite rhymey e.g. Nathaniel.

Think both names together don't flow, sadly.

I think Raphael M* sounds great. The first name and surname end with different sounds, In Raphael it's an elongated 'ell' sound and with the surname it's quite a short 'ull' sound'.

I was just going to post exactly what squoosh just said, but got distracted on another thread. Completely agree.

I love the name Rafe.

Although I instantly think of Ben Affleck's character in Pearl Harbour.

I also agree with what squoosh said, I think Raphael M itch ell sounds fine.

I agree with other posters that you need some kind of Mediterranean link to use Raphael, although it is a beautiful name.

Rafe sounds affected.

Rafferty is ridiculous.

I prefer the 'Rafael' spelling, but I think 'Raphael' is the best of your choices.

Google 'raphe' ( pronounced the same as Rafe)