Rafael, Rafa, Raff….thoughts!

[Bethwoodbank]

Hi oh wise mums! I want some honest feedback on names. My second baby, a boy is due in a couple of months. I already have a daughter called Emilia, who we almost exclusively call Emmie and I want to make sure the two names fit together. Me and my husband rarely agree on any names but we are both pretty happy with Rafael, to be known as Raff or Rafa (similar to how we use Emmie). So Emilia and Rafael; Emmie and Raff…So my questions…we are completely white British, no Mediterranean influence (although Hebrew heritage on one side and strong non family links to Portugal where we visit twice a year)- is Rafael appropriate? This is my main worry-I really like the name and LOVE the nn (Rafferty is an absolute non starter for hubby btw) but wonder if it conjures up Spanish/Portuguese vibes. Also, what would I use for eg. his stocking, personalised rucksack, nursery register etc…Raff or Rafa or other? We use Emmie for those sorts of things…the longer name is really just so they have options in later life (and for when they’re naughty 😂😂) thoughts welcome please 😀 🙏

Rafael is ok, but would suggest Spanish or similar heritage. Rafa and Raff are IMO dreadful.

I know a Rafferty who is known as Raffy.

I prefer the nn Raffy

I do find it a bit strange when people use names that are so clearly of a different language and yet they have no connection to that country or culture. I think it's partly because the pronunciation rarely ends up accurate, and so it sounds a bit caricaturish.

That said, if you love it, you love it and it's nobody's business but yours!

@monsterastuckiosa , OP made it our business but good point about the pronunciation. It tends to be said as Rafa-yell in the UK but Raf-a-el in Spanish

I'm a Mexican-American person and a few of my relatives are called, Rafael.

I would think you have Hispanic/Latin/Mediterranean heritage with the name.

Since I live in the US, my relatives are nicknamed, "Rafa" by my Spanish-speaking relatives but are called, "Ralph" or "Ralphie" by the English-speaking ones.

Personally, I'd stick to just calling him, Rafael with no diminutive. It's a lovely name on its own.

I hate raffy

I really don't like the name either

There is an Emmie and Raff sibling pair at DD's school. Raff is much better than Raffa imo. Im not sure what theirs is short if indebted are short for anything for as I don't know the family apart from to say a passing hi it's just that mum is the loud eccentric type so hear their names a lot! 😆. They are perfectly fine names though

Raff is awful.

Sounds like Riff Raff.

Emmie is sweet but I really don't like Raff!

I really like Rafael and all its nicknames. I don’t think it matters about your background personally. You could always spell it Raphael though and still get the shortenings Raph/Rapha/Raphy.

I love it!

Raffy is better than Raff I think. I've known one.
Love both your DC's names

I like Raef.

I would spell it Raphael because that's the traditional English spelling. Rafael seems very Spanish/Portuguese to me. It's a bit like Giulia Vs Julia.

Doesn't necessarily conjure up Spanish/Portuguese vibes to me, its a name used in many countries, even Finland which is about far away as possible from Spanish/Portuguese vibe!

I love the name, almost named my son it, would probably have used Raf as a nickname

@Natsku, that's because it is Rafael in Finnish.

I tend to usually agree that I don’t like names from other heritages but I think you can get away with Rafael. I love the name Raf. I know one, he’s a Brazilian Rafael, and everyone loves him. I also love the name Emmie. You’ve got good taste in names 😊

I think Raphael is fine for an English-speaking person. I prefer the Rafael spelling as it's more direct, same idea as Louisa/Luisa, but be prepared for people to assume the trad English spelling (Raphael) if you are in the UK, so may require more frequent correction. Rafa makes more sense to me from Rafael, but Raf/Raph or Rafi/Raphie could be from either.

How did you decide to put Emmie on the stocking instead of Emilia? Use the same logic for your son's stocking, whatever you call him every day whether it's his "real" name or not.

I’ve come across a couple of British Raffa’s - I don’t like it. Raffa Smith etc doesn’t quite sound right.

Rafe instead?

I think it's a biblical/Hebrew name, and is used in many countries.

I prefer the Rafael spelling. I think the diminutive will naturally arise over time (or not - I thought I'd call my son a shortening of his name but I actually use his full name almost always).

It's definitely a biblical name @AliBaliBears , and like most biblical names it has many different forms, pronunciations and spellings. I think it compares to spelling Mark as Marc or Elizabeth as Elisabeth.

Funny, there was another thread about Raphael just yesterday. The responses seemed more positive:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/baby_names/4607195-raphael

*Raffa Smith etc doesn’t quite sound right.

Rafe instead?*

I agree. Rafe or Ralph is much nicer than Raff or Raffa.

Rafael is my dog's name nn is Raff or Rafa - I love it - I have no Latin heritage I just think it is a fine name and works as well for humans. My dog is beautiful, intelligent and loving.