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Baby names

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

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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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MrsMummyBx · 27/12/2019 16:16

Thank you so much everyone for all your thoughts, please keep them coming!

@Modernhistorybuff and @SumAndSubstance I think I’m going to discount Theo now due to the over popularity - though I do really like it as a name, think it’s very cute. Want something like Hugo where it’s not so common.

So that leaves a choice of Jasper and Raphael...

I have been looking at bubba thinking “are you a Jasper, Raphael or a Theo” and being none the wiser 😂😂

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MrsMummyBx · 27/12/2019 16:21

@newreality1 thank you. I’m so confused!! Worried Theo is too overused, as it seems to be - just that I personally don’t know any that live near me!

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MrsMummyBx · 27/12/2019 16:26

@PlantPotting I quite like rafferty but DH said it was a no go so have had fo rule it out!

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ProperVexed · 27/12/2019 16:31

I work in a primary school. Every class seems to have a Theo or three. I don't know any Raphaels....it's a cracking name! Love Hugo as well. And Jasper. Have you considered Barnaby ( Barney)? It goes beautifully with Hugo! I'm sure you will pick a good name though, your choices seem lovely.

MikeUniformMike · 27/12/2019 16:37

Barnaby is lovely. Barney is good too. I like Rudy too.

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MrsMummyBx · 27/12/2019 16:53

@ProperVexed thank you that’s really helpful as you must have your finger on the pulse of current names in your job! I think I will have to rule Theo out as I really don’t want him to be one of a few in his class etc.

I Really like Barnaby in its full form but not too keen on barney which no doubt it would be shortened to - I think of a bear and I just can’t remove the image from my head as silly as it is!!

On Jasper - there is a good chance my DS will have a red tinge to his hair - unlikely full on carrot colour - do you think there’s a chance of being called jasper carrot etc? Hoping his classmates (when the time comes!) don’t even know who this is!!

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MikeUniformMike · 27/12/2019 16:57

Red hair suggests Rory.
Hugo and Rory.

NorthernLightsInWinter · 27/12/2019 16:58

Jasper is awful. My DH wanted to name our second boy (now over 10) Jasper, and he is horrified having learned that.

I like Raphael. Rafferty is nice as well.

NorthernLightsInWinter · 27/12/2019 16:59

Ooooh, Rory is brilliant suggestion from above. Huge and Rory.
Lovely.

ProperVexed · 27/12/2019 17:08

Ooh. Hugo and Rory. Splendid suggestion.
Going back to my Barney suggestion....I have a Barnaby but he is always known as Barney ( unless I'm shouting!) He is now in his early twenties and considers it to be a great name....good for pulling the girls, apparently. He rarely has reference to bears or purple dinosaurs! I really wanted Hugo for my second son but it was vetoed by Neanderthal DH. The swine!

flounderfish · 27/12/2019 17:11

I'm in the south east and the last three baby boys I know have all been called Theo. V popular indeed!

It is a gorgeous name and if popularity isn't a game changer for you, it shouldn't matter too much.

Raphael is also a gorgeous name!

DramaAlpaca · 27/12/2019 17:13

Hugo & Rory would be perfect.

Theo doesn't go well with Hugo because of the similar endings. Raphael is nice but not the same sort of style. Jasper works well.

PlatoAteMySnozcumber · 27/12/2019 18:00

Gabriel?

SumAndSubstance · 27/12/2019 19:35

Rufus means red-haired. Hugo and Rufus is cool Smile

Modernhistorybuff · 27/12/2019 20:50

Rufus is just perfect.

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MrsMummyBx · 27/12/2019 22:52

I’m really liking Rufus! Fab suggestion! The only thing is this boy won’t be a total ginge (like me!!) but he does seem to have a red tinge to his (what looks like at this early stage) mousy brown hair - and not sure which way this will go - more red or more brown. Is Rufus still ok for a brown haired child do you think?

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MrsMummyBx · 27/12/2019 22:55

Rory is another great suggestion, going to float these to DH!

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MrsMummyBx · 27/12/2019 22:56

@ProperVexed lovely to hear that your son has carried the name well into adulthood, I do really like the name - another to add to my new shortlist!!

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PlantPotting · 27/12/2019 23:20

I think Rory or Rufus are infinitely better than Raphael

I love Jasper too and do not think you should worry about “jasper carrot” OP. Next generation will have no idea about that

PlantPotting · 27/12/2019 23:21

Barnaby is one of my absolute favourite names btw - the one adult one I know is never known as Barney.

PlantPotting · 27/12/2019 23:22

(Only ever referred to as his full name- Barnaby)

SumAndSubstance · 27/12/2019 23:31

Is Rufus still ok for a brown haired child do you think?
Yes, it's fine! I know two Rufuses (Rufi?) and neither has red hair, sadly. At least yours sounds like he will be able to grow a ginger beard at least Wink

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MrsMummyBx · 28/12/2019 01:05

Thanks everyone, I’ve told DH to mull over Rufus and Barnaby overnight (but he wasn’t Immediately keen on the latter due to purple dinosaur connotations) and have told him to come up with a final shortlist based on all your suggestions!!

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LarkDescending · 28/12/2019 01:11

Congratulations! Lovely names on this thread.

Might Leo also work? Seems to be similar to your style and works with an Italian surname.

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MrsMummyBx · 28/12/2019 05:59

Hi @LarkDescending my DH totally loves Leo but it does seem very popular at moment so in my mind I had written it off only for this reason...

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