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Baby names

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Original poster

Spelling of...

65 replies

Starfish83 · 16/12/2019 14:36

Raphael/Rafael.

We’re in the UK, but am drawn to the Spanish spelling (Rafael), but will he have a lifetime of needing to spell out his name fir people? We’ll probably call him Raf/Rafi for short.

Would be grateful for opinions! x

OP posts:
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Lavenderblues · 16/12/2019 14:41

If you want Raf as short form, I'd call him Rafael.

Grufallosfriends · 16/12/2019 14:48

Raphael would shorten to Raph or Raphe

I prefer Rafael and Raf.

MikeUniformMike · 16/12/2019 14:50

Don't like it. Seems downmarket.
Raf is the aerial warfare force.

Was it you who wanted to call her daughter Navy?

DoesntLeftoverTurkeySoupDragOn · 16/12/2019 14:54

Downmarket??

merryhouse · 16/12/2019 15:01

(she wants to say "chavvy" but has noted that people give the side-eye when that's used)

I suspect the name is so little used that people would ask spelling anyway (eventually he'll start saying "Rafael... with an f"). It's like Stephen/Steven or Ann/Anne or Catherine/Kathryn: people are going to get it wrong whichever one you choose.

MikeUniformMike · 16/12/2019 15:03

The sort of name you'd hear screeched at a kid in downmarket supermarket.

Original poster
Starfish83 · 16/12/2019 15:07

MikeUniformMike, no - it wasn’t me. Do you mean that you don’t like the spelling ‘Rafael’ or the nickname ‘Raf’ or the babe Raphael/Rafael? I tend not to screech at my children in the supermarket(!).

OP posts:
Disfordarkchocolate · 16/12/2019 15:11

I think it's very lovely. No matter which you pick you'll end up saying 'with and f/ph' automatically when you meet new people. I had years of this with a previous surname and it never bothered me.

FizzyGreenWater · 16/12/2019 15:12

I think as they both sound very much not-British then either spelling is ok! You could have Spanish rellies hence Rafael, or Italian ones hence Raphael.

I like both. Raff/Rafi could be the short form for both. I don't think there's much in it as to which way people might assume it's spelled.

Go with what you prefer.

Grufallosfriends · 16/12/2019 15:35

RAF is Royal Air Force

MikeUniformMike · 16/12/2019 15:47

The name is one that short of Rafael Nadal I can't think of an adult one, but I have heard it called out in less upmarket retailers.

It's probably more popular than you think, although probably not top 100%. Add the Raphaels, Raffertys, Rafiqs etc

If you like it, use it, you don't even know me, but I don't think it will date well.

BaronessBomburst · 16/12/2019 15:58

Raphael and Rafael both seem like classic names to me. I don't think they're chavy, and don't see them dating.
So totally disagreeing with MikeUniformMike there. Xmas Grin

DoesntLeftoverTurkeySoupDragOn · 16/12/2019 16:15

RAF is Royal Air Force

And?

Nick means to steal
Bea sounds like a stinging insect
Mike is short for microphone....

LarkDescending · 16/12/2019 16:27

Personally I'd use Raphael for the formal name, as the more expected spelling in the UK. I don't think it restricts shortenings. I think it's a great name. Rafi is, separately, an unrelated Arabic name.

MikeUniformMike · 16/12/2019 16:27

Ant is an insect too.
Rob also means to steal.

Michael is a classic name and I love it.

A random search gave this:
"In order to be considered an authentic classic, a name must be consistently popular for many decades, at least 50 years, but ideally a century. Ideally it has never left the top 50. James is the perfect example. "

ViaSacra · 16/12/2019 16:30

I think because it's a rather uncommon name, people are unlikely to have strong conceptions of the 'correct' spelling.

If I met someone called Stephanie in the UK, I'd presume it was spelt with a 'ph' rather than Stefanie, but I don't think I'd make any assumptions with Raphael/Rafael.

miahadalittlelamb · 16/12/2019 16:39

I prefer Raphael spelling. I actually live in quite an affluent area, and am surprised by how many little Raphael’s i’ve met. Almost every little boy is called Raphael! So I would say it’s posh name. It’s an ok name for me...

AriadneO · 16/12/2019 16:42

@MikeUniformMike are you Katie Hopkins? What a rude thing to say.

OP, I think you'd be ok with the F spelling. It is extremely popular at the moment though where I live (north London, affluent area).

BigusBumus · 16/12/2019 16:46

My friend has a Raffy but his name is Rafferty, also a lovely name in my opinion.

FizzyGreenWater · 16/12/2019 16:47

I think Mike's just pointing out that lots of words which are names have another meaning, when you use them as a name you don't think of it!

Doug is something that happened to a pit.

Mark is a smudge

Matt also means something you walk on

Sophie means 'blood vengeance death from the skies' but everyone still uses it...

FizzyGreenWater · 16/12/2019 16:47

Ok I made up the last one Grin

Expressedways · 16/12/2019 16:48

The only Raphael I know is a French aristo - don’t think it’s at all chavvy Confused
RAF is a bit weird as a nickname though, prefer Rafi or Rafe but either spelling is fine, it’s not that popular so I doubt many people would make assumptions about how it’s spelt.

PureAlchemy · 16/12/2019 16:54

I think you’d have to specify the spelling whichever one you picked, I don’t think it’s popular enough for people to automatically assume either spelling.

MrsJoshNavidi · 16/12/2019 16:54

To be absolutely correct you need a diaerisis Grin
So Raphaël or Rafaël.
HTH!

JacquesHammer · 16/12/2019 16:58

“downmarket”

What a wally Grin

Rafael is beautiful OP.