Rafaela

[Panoramarama]

I used to love this name but pre pregnancy a friend said it sounded like a 'stripper name.' Am now pregnant and expecting a girl and both DH and I have thought of it again. Does it really sound sordid? DH is Greek and we would like a name that works in Greek. It doesn't matter if it doesn't have an English counterpart (we live in London where there are plenty of non English sounding names around so it doesn't phase us) but also open to names that work easily in both languages.

I've got a list of about 20 names at the moment. Might post them soon but for now would love your ideas and opinion on the above!

I think it’s lovely and not at all ‘stripper’ sounding. I would 100% ignore your friend!!

I love it and it doesn’t sound sordid at all - what a strange thing to say !

I really like it. Slightly prefer the spelling as Raffaella but it's not my decision!

I hate to say it but I kind of see what your friend was saying. That sounds awful, but it sounds like a fake name. I know it's not, and I know quite a few Raphael/Rafael etc but I'm really not sure about Rafaela.

It's a lovely name; I have a great and beautiful friend called Rafaela and she is about as far from 'stripperish' as you can imagine. You clearly have good taste in names OP but not so much in friends it seems

I think its a really lovely name as well.
If you both like it, then go for it. Everyone is going to have an opinion on whatever name you choose!

Very classy. I also prefer the Raffaella spelling because I'm in Italy but am guessing it's spelled like that in Greece.

I know a Rafaela who goes by ella. I like it.

Thank you! You've reassured me. It's going on the list!

I was worried that everyone would agree with my friend.

I'll be back with some other names to ask you about sometime. Thanks ladies!

Gorgeous. Couldn’t be less strippy.

It is a very nice name and not at all sordid. Your friend has some weird opinions there so take no notice.

Just use it if you want to.

I don't think it sounds like a stripper name but I'm not keen at all!

It’s lovely, OP.

Beautiful. And definitely not a stripper name!

Gorgeous!

Its a great name, I've come across one, she must be about 7 or 8 and I think at least one of her parents is Greek. Its a sophisticated name imo (definitely not stripperish!), unusual without being too out there and Raffy works as a cute nickname

It's pretty. DS has a Portuguese friend called Rafaela, nn Rafi. She's a lovely girl, v intelligent and attractive .

Thanks :) I love the suggestions of Raffy or Raffi as a nickname too.

I know a Raphaela, but she pronounces it Ray-Fail-Uh, which I don’t think is the usual way?

I'm not keen. Don't like Raf/Raffi and there are lots of -ellas and Ellas out there.
It's also IMO too long

I work with a Rafaela, it’s very pretty.

It’s not strippery.

For me it conjures up mental images of fabulously fabulous Mediterranean women drinking Aperol Spritz and wearing Moschino.

Fabulous!

This was in my top 5 for DD, I loved 'Raffie' for a nickname too.. would totally have used it if DH didn't veto 

I have a Raphaella. She has always been known as Rafi though.

What a pretty name.