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Baby names

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

Original poster

Theo or Raphael?

107 replies

MrsMummyBx · 27/12/2019 04:45

Help!!! Need a name for our DS2 who is already here!! DS1 is Hugo. DH and I like Theo and also Raphael but can’t agree which one. I like both and don’t have a particular preference - thoughts on both below.

I like Theo but worried it’s well used in his age group, though I personally only know one Theo who doesn’t even live in the UK. We live in the south east. Also worried it might not be strong enough / with enough gravitas. I don’t particularly like Theodore so would only name him Theo. However I do think it goes nicely with Hugo.

I like Raphael but not sure if it’s too ‘arty’ for more serious things when he’s older- also the name with a ‘ph’ spelling seems to be a Jewish name (we aren’t Jewish), but at the same time it’s also the English spelling of the name - so not sure I care about inference of another religion. The spelling ‘Rafael’ is a Spanish etc spelling but I want an English spelt name as hubby is Italian so the child will already have an Italian surname and want an English first name to reflect both sides of his heritage.

Also like Jasper but yet to convince DH.

Preferences on the above two names please - also suggestions on any others are welcome!! We need to decide ASAP!!

Thank you xx

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puds11 · 27/12/2019 05:08

I like Raphael. Theo is very popular. Plus Raph or Raphy is a cute abbreviation. I don’t think the origins of the name should influence the choice particularly. All names came from somewhere.

Expo · 27/12/2019 05:18

My non existent third child (if a boy obvs) would have been called Rafael. I love the shortened Rafa. Sounds raffish. Honestly I would not worry about gravitas etc.

xJodiex · 27/12/2019 06:38

Theo is a name used in The Chipmunks cartoon, Raphael is used in Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles. Just saying. If I had to choose one though, I'd go with Theo.

Poorolddaddypig · 27/12/2019 06:39

Raphael for sure

Poorolddaddypig · 27/12/2019 06:40

Love NN Rafe and Raffy

shoebedobedobedobedoo · 27/12/2019 06:47

I’ve met loads of small Raphaels, but very few Theos ....if that helps

PlantPotting · 27/12/2019 07:03

I prefer Theo

Raphael doesn’t sound like an English name to me and sounds very OTT. How about just Ralph of Rafe? Or Rafferty with nickname Raffy.

Hugo is a lovely name- how about Rupert?

If you can’t persuade DH for Jasper how about Casper?

PlantPotting · 27/12/2019 07:04

Ps. Theo is one of my favourite names xx

Weffiepops · 27/12/2019 07:17

Theo goes well with Hugo

Grufallosfriends · 27/12/2019 08:00

Jasper! Hugo and Jasper.

Theo and Hugo are too similar

Raphael is nice but I'm not keen on Raph or Raphi.

BelfastNonBlonde · 27/12/2019 08:02

Theo is gorgeous. Would choose that out of the two.

Raphael is nice but just a little too artsy for me. Would pick Rafferty as an alternative to Raphael.

PlatoAteMySnozcumber · 27/12/2019 08:04

Jasper! I love that name. Theo has become way too common and is too similar sounding to Hugo. Raphael doesn’t work for me on an English boy but it you are of more exotic origin then go for it.

Original poster
MrsMummyBx · 27/12/2019 09:26

Thank you so much everyone - I’m very confused now (As if I wasn’t before lol) as all you lovely people have different views on these names!! There seems to be an almost equal split of preference between Theo and Raphael! And a difference of opinion on whether Hugo and Theo go...

Should we consider Jasper more seriously? If I can pursuade DH?

@PlatoAteMySnozcumber hmm this worries me that Raphael doesn’t sound English....

OP posts:
Astronica · 27/12/2019 10:05

Love all 3 of Theo, Raphael and Jasper. With brother Hugo I would go for a different ending - so Raphael or Jasper.

Natsku · 27/12/2019 10:26

Hugo and Jasper definitely go together better but out of Theo and Raphael I prefer Raphael. I strongly considered it (but with Rafael spelling) for my youngest.

Grufallosfriends · 27/12/2019 10:41

Yes, Jasper is great and goes best with Hugo.

ZazieMetro · 27/12/2019 11:15

I love Raphael ❤️ It would have been my choice for a boy.

Theo is also nice, however.

ZazieMetro · 27/12/2019 11:15

And Jasper too! You have great taste Smile

Modernhistorybuff · 27/12/2019 14:43

I adore all three of them. And Hugo!
I wouldn't choose Theo now (although D's was very nearly Theodore 15 years ago) as it's quite popular.
Raphael is lovely. I would use Raffy or Rafe nickname. I'd still spell it Rafael personally because I prefer it.
Jasper is gorgeous.
I'd be hard pushed to pick between Rafael and Jasper.
Have you considered Rufus which seems to me to be the perfect compromise?!

PlantPotting · 27/12/2019 14:45

Raphael doesn’t sound English to me either sorry

Jasper or Theo go great with Hugo

Or how about Rudy/Rudi?

SumAndSubstance · 27/12/2019 14:54

I really like Raphael. I like Jasper too. I dislike Theo quite strongly. It’s been very popular recently and, abbreviated like that, it just means God, which I think is weird 😁

Drabarni · 27/12/2019 14:56

Weren't they ninja turtles?

MikeUniformMike · 27/12/2019 15:42

Jasper is much better than Theo or Raphael.
Theo is overused and Raphael is a bit naff.
Love Hugo.

PlantPotting · 27/12/2019 15:44

Yeh naff is the word I was looking for with Raphael

newreality1 · 27/12/2019 15:51

Theo and Raphael are both lovely names, you really can't go wrong. Though personally I think Hugo and Theo go perfectly together.Smile