Axel?

[LumpySpaceCow]

Still can't think of a boy's name and he is nearly here! Is Axel too wacky? Any suggestions appreciated. Just struggling to find the perfect name! We want something unique but I don't want him to be mocked!
My older girls' names are traditional but not too common. Others that we have banded about:
Artie (DH likes Artemis but have since realised that this is a girls name!)
Rafe
Tobias
Zachary
.....that's pretty much it at the mo and I don't love any of them!
Thanks!

I have a Swedish friend with a son called Axel. It is great for him, but he is Swedish. Most people mention Axel Rose until they realise he is Swedish.

Sorry, but it's horrible! It's pronounced (but not spelled) the same as the German word for 'armpit' - makes me think of pit stains.

Like Rafe, though!

Haha! Lol at armpit!
Yeah, I'm have no Swedish connections so most people would assume we were fans of Guns n Roses!

Rafe makes me think of Rafael which I think is a bloody good name, I suggest that!

Axel just makes me think of mechanics. Finnish version would be Akseli which sounds nicer to me.

I think it's truly hideous.

A harsh, ugly name that wouldn't suit any squidgy gorgeous new baby.

All your other names are infinitely better.

Art or Artie is short for Arthur, which is a great name. Can't go wrong with former names of Kings (well, apart from Ethelred, obvs. Or Aethelstan. Or Egbert.) sees flaw in argument and slinks off

I'm beginning to agree wile!
I really like Rafael actually - thanks!
Just checked out another thread and someone had posted a link to a full list of names in Charles Dickens novels.... Abel was on there which I quite like and Sullivan was on another thread.
Really loving Rafael though!

Egbert
I like Arthur but my DH isn't keen.....girls names are just so much easier!

Sorry but I also think it's awful. Not because it's too whacky, I prefer whacky, but it makes me think Axel Rose of Guns & Roses & he's a knob head & it just doesn't roll off the tongue well

Acer has a similar, but much better ring to it ? Or perhaps Amos

Rafael is so so cool! Love.

Damnit now I want to name my potential future son Rafael even though I've already picked out Aslak for him!

It's quite ugly IMO. And yes it's pronounced the same way as the German word for arm pit and I just can't get past that! From your list Tobias is my favourite but pronounced To-be-as. Can't stand the To-by-as pronounciation I hear used sometimes.

Makes me think of axel rose too, and he's an idiot.

It's not wacky at all! (Among my friends' kids it'd be the least wacky of all.)

Rafael is great Zachary is nice. I'm not fun of Axel, sorry x

Axel

"Yeah the back axel has gone on me car"

Sorry OP but that is what it reminded me of.

Or

"Aww, look at little bubby Axel. Axel wave to Daddy"

Its just all wrong.....sorry

Immade me think of Axel Foley- but them in a child of the 80s!
That said, I like it!

Nothing wrong with Axel. Pretty run of the mill name in Sweden I believe.

I do prefer Rafael though.

Thanks everyone! Rafael now top of the list!

So which spelling then....
Rafael
Raphael
Think we would call him Rafe or Raffi for short.....not yet told my DH what out son is going to be called....

Axel is very standard here in Sweden and I know some cute baby Axels as well as some cool ice-hockey-playing teenage Axels.

Spell it with the f if you're going to call him rafe or raffi for short.

Alec?

Yeh I don't think Axel is whacky but not keen on the sound of it. Moving forward... If you like Rafe you can absolutely use it as a 'proper name' in its own right. Cromwell's adopted son in Wolf Hall was Rafe - good character - good name. Olde English. I prefer it to Rafael. You can still nn him Rafee.