Raphael

[17caterpillars1mouse]

What are your thoughts on the name Raphael, possibly shortened to Raphie / Raffie. Would it work on a child with no Italian heritage?

It's lovely! Different but people will have heard it :)

I really like it, also love the nn Raffy

I absolutely love it!

It's a lovely name, with a great nickname! Go for it

Ninja turtles

Lovely name. I prefer the Rafael spelling.

Although often associated with Italy and Spain, I think it's a Hebrew (Old Testament) name? Just one that hasn't become so popular in English speaking countries.

I really like it and am considering it, the only thing that puts me off are the two different pronunciations. I like one the less popular one and not the other. Not sure I can be bothered constantly correcting people

I like the name very much but not sure I would use it. Also love a lot of Italian names. Salvatore is a great sounding name.but again I probably wouldnt use it.

I really like the name Raphael and it’s nn’s Raphie/Raffy. It has a lovely meaning.
It’s a biblical/Hebrew name (not Italian), used in Catholic countries traditionally but well known and used in the UK. Personally I don’t think it matters about your background, if you like it use it.
I also slightly prefer the Rafael spelling but both are nice. I think Italians use the double F and double L spelling usually.

Its a fantastic name, and not too common. l love it.

It's not Italian. It's the name of one of the archangels in the Bible.

Lovely name, and unusual.

I really like Raphael, and I wouldn't assume a Raphael had any specific heritage.

I have one who is nearly 11. He is often called Raph or Rapha or Raphie or Raffles.

I only know one pronunciation and have only heard that in ten years.

It's a wee bit more popular than it used to be. I teach 2 of them and obviously, am raising one.

Love it, beautiful

I love it. The oldest one I know is 17 and the youngest is a baby. I see it as a very normal name but a very lovely one.

I think it’s lovely. I’ve only looked after one in years of doing childcare - everyone called him Raffa. It’s a nice solid name which is not too popular but not outlandish.

Awful. Raph/Raf makes me think of riff-raff.

Love this! I'm pregnant at the moment and this will be the name if it's a boy x

I prefer the Rafael spelling with nickname Raffi/Raffy. I think it is rising in popularity though so will be a name 'of its time' if that bothers you at all.

Love the name, DS was very nearly Rafael.

The short form Raff isn't nice unfortunately. It sounds like Riff Raff.

Raphael as a full name is nice. I know a Spanish one who never shortens it

I'm going to shorten it to Rafi as this is a Persian name in its own right (I'm Persian) but Raphael as it's DH's favourite ninja turtle. (I'm not kidding)

I love it 😍

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,
Heroes in a half-shell,
Turtle power!

Wasn’t Raphael everyone’s favourite ninja turtle? I mean surely nobody has Donatello as their favourite? It’s just not possible. Raphael was the cool one. I mean they were ninja turtles who lived in NYC so obviously they were all very cool but Raphael was the coolest.