Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

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:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
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.