Rafiki?

[Nottherealslimshady]

For a boy. I love love love it. It means friend in swahili. We've been to Tanzania and it was such an emotional connection to the people and place, and since then I've just really felt that it fits us.

And there was me wondering if it was a Greek island! It’s not a name though, is it?

The baboon in Lion king?

It makes me think lion King straight away.

Bold choice.

Err it's 100% a name...but I'd question the appropriation of it if you or your unborn child aren't of African heritage.

It's not really an african name, it's an african word and it is the african connection that really clicks for me.
It's the bird in lion king, yes, but that also means people wont struggle with the pronunciation.

While in Tanzania one of our friends told us his daughter is called Happiness and it just feels so lovely.

I know someone who named their child this after the baboon in the Lion King

The bird in lion king is Zazu. Rafiki is the baboon who holds Simba up on pride rock.

It's not the bird. It's the baboon.

The bird is called Zazoo

I wouldn't do it to a child.

Rafik is a mandrill actually 🤓

I call one of my best friends Rafiki but his name is Raphael, not sure it would work as an actual name to be honest

Just check what it means in other languages. I thought it was slave or servant in Arabic.

NYAAAA SVENYAAAA...that's what people will immediately think. Great movie but what a millstone to tie around the child's neck.

I think using a random African word is even worse than using an actual name, if it's not used as a name in the original culture. It would be like a non-Irish person naming their child Fuinneog (window) or Ispíní (sausages).

You could have a complete sibling set: Rafiki, Zazu, Pumba, Mufasa.

Is it inappropriate to name siblings Nala and Simba? 🤔

Rafiki is my fave character in the lion king. But if i heard a child. Called it to be honest i would just hear the cartoon monkey in my head.

What do you mean you've been to Tanzania? Did you do a two-week holiday yet established "an emotional connection with...the people?" Because I flew via Reykjavik airport and now I feel Icelandic. Unless it turns out you are drip-feeding us info you're either barmy or trolling (which you really might be given the widespread anti-racism protests going on right now).

This ^ x 100 .

I have been serving up Thai food for a year.. and suddenly have a fabulous 'connection' with the Thai people..and will call my child Peurn.. (Thai word for friend)

Only I won't . Because I'm not barking mad.

^ this too, plus he will get a LOT of hakuna matata-ing

Please choose another name rather than call your baby rafiki 🙈🙈

It's derived from the Arabic 'rafiq' and the 'q' is not pronounced like an English 'k'. Maybe they pronounce it like a 'k' in Swahili. If you like it and you're prepared to hear it said in different ways then go for it.

I never paid much attention to Lion King, so that wouldn't be my first thought.

Rafiki knows the way!

It’s an excellent name for a cat.

A character in Zoo using it as a reference of friendship to another character...
Not a name for a dc in your position..

It's not the bird. The bird is yazu. If you're going to name your kid after it, it's best you not what character it is
Also rafiki is a cool name but I'd only use it as a nickname personally as I'm bame and wouldn't want to deal with racist connotations.