Spelling of...

[Starfish83]

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

Fizzy, what Mikeuniform said was:

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

What Katie Hopkins said was:

'When I hear screeched across the playground: “Tyler! Come back ‘ere.” It’s the Tylers, the Charmains the Chantelles, the Chardonnays.’

Err, same bigoted wording!

Oh sorry I didn't notice that post!

Eeek I like Raphael...Or Rafael.

Not Taylor-Rafael tho

I love that people think Raphael and think downmarket and screechy parent.

I hear Raphael and hear Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.

I think Raphael would be more traditional and biblical and Rafael would be the Spanish spelling and may look more modern. I think more people here would spell it with a 'ph' but it is an unusual name so as pp said would probably be asked to spell it either. Go with whichever way you prefer.

Raphael- that spelling. It’s OK

I am not Katie Hopkins. I vaguely know of her - ex-Apprentice, Daily Mail columnist?

Why would I be a wally for thinking something?
When out an about I hear children's names called out. The names I hear in more affluent areas are not the same oned as in more downmarket ones. You only need to hear Albie or Raphael or Oscar screeched out by a stressed parent to think Hmm. The same goes for spoilt middle class Maisies whose adoring parents wouldn't dream of shushing their darling princess or even realising that the balmy summer evening pub garden was emptying rapidly.

If I said what my DC are called, you'd probably say the names are boring. They both got classic names, for the simple reason that we liked the names and we would always like them.

Tyler - nice surname but not a good first name.

As for being a bigot - not at all. Opinionated maybe.

The name you have will affect your life. People are prejudiced, whether you like it or not.

I assumed that my colleague Lindsay was female, until he turned up. Courtney was male too, and the two Ashleys I regularly contacted by e-mail - one male one female.

A mixed race friend with a very British-sounding name says that he has attended interviews where they took one look at him and he knew they felt wrong-footed.

Do names age you? Yes. How old would you guess Darren, Gary and Nigel are? Debbie, Alison, Tracy?

I assumed that my colleague Lindsay was female, until he turned up

Surprising given it was a masculine given name first....

Not really when I know so many female Linsay/Linsey/Lynsey/Linzis.

Wow, some people are way too invested about a query concerning a name spelling.

I find people who are quick to label a name 'downmarket' or 'chavvy' are those who have no class and are trying their hardest to keep up with the jones's

Anyway i think it's a lovely name (however I am downmarket ) I would go with the spelling Rafael.

Gosh how convenient.

Why would I be a wally for thinking something?

Because it’s daft. HTH

It's not daft, it's my thoughts on the name.
If I think it, chances are others will too.

Lindsay (and it’s variations) has been much more popular as a girls name than a boys name in the last few decades at least, it’s hardly surprising that someone would assume a Lindsay they hadn’t met was female.

How about Taylor - male or female? I know one of each.
Alex? Chris?

Sam

Judgemental and trying to derail the thread

I prefer Rafael! It’s less fussy.

The two people I know who spell it Rafael pronounce it Rafal so that might possibly cause confusion if you spell it that way.

Lovely name either way though

I know an adult Raphael called Raffy for short.
It is a lovely name and he doesn't seem to ahve any trouble with spellings

To be honest I’m not keen on the name (but you’d probably think my choices were boring!😂), but of the 2, I prefer the f spelling of it.

The two people I know who spell it Rafael pronounce it Rafal

Like Rachael pronounced Rachel?

That's where the diaeris comes in. Rafaël makes the pronunciation clear.

MikeUniformMike I often see you pop up on these threads and you’re such a moron.
Raphael is hardly a made up name. A name of a foreign origin isn’t something to be afraid of. I have a 30 year old, French relative named Raphael so it’s hardly dated has it. Why don’t you try thinking before you post next time.

Haha flamingo, well said!

Lovely name. Spell it however you would like, OP. I'm Danish so I prefer the name with f.

So many lovely biblical names. We considered Emmanuel for our sons.

I prefer Raphael - love the name, ignore Mike she’s talking baloney.

If you had Spanish family the Rafael spelling makes sense, without that it’s a bit odd - Raphael is the common English spelling from the bible and the painter.

Thank you so much for all the considered comments.

MamaDane, is that the Danish way of spelling it? Please let me know if you have any other fab Danish names up you sleeve! x