Raphael or Caleb?

[Yintan]

Our DS is due soon and both DH and I really like Raphael (nn Raphy) but I am unsure whether it is 'too much'. I associate it with Italian/Spanish heritage and we have none of that at all. I also think of it as quite a middle class name, and we live in a very working class area.

The ninja turtle connection doesn't bother me. I don't think kids are as into the ninja turtles anymore and sharing a name with a cool turtle doesn't sound too bad really.

I love the name and feel quite attached to it, but when I imagine telling people the name, I imagine potentially some raised eyebrows.

Maybe I'm being overly cautious. It's our first child and I think I'm basing my ideas off of when I was in primary school and loads of us had the same names as each other (classes full of the top 20 names basically). I know having a unique name is more popular now, and compared to a lot of his classmates, his name probably wouldn't be that out there.

If not Raphael then my next favourite name is Caleb. I like the name and it feels a bit safer I suppose. I'm not in love with it in the same way but I can definitely imagine coming around to it.

[Yintan]

Also, if anyone has a Raphael or a Caleb and wants to share any unexpected mispronunciations/nicknames/comments that they've received then that would be great too!

[babyjellyfish]

I like Raphael. It was my top choice but my husband wasn't keen.

[midsomermurderess]

I like Raphael too. Gabriel has a similar feel.

[Happyhappyeveryday]

Raphaël

[fastandthecurious1]

Love Raphael, use it you won't regret it. I named my son Emilio, milo for short and I have no strong links to Hispanic / Italian heritage but I just loved it and it suits him so well.
Only a handful of people have turned there nose up at it but yes it does always follow the with the question ' ohh where does THAT name come from' so be prepared for a lot of that lol

[Rauha]

Raphael

[ThreeKneeRepeater]

Raphael.
Caleb always looks and sounds like a name written backwards.

[toastofthetown]

I much prefer Raphael and don’t find it too much at all, either too European or too middle class. Caleb is fine, but nowhere near as nice a name as Raphael to me. I think you’re overthinking a bit.

[Luredbyapomegranate]

There are loads of Raphaels, it’s v popular. So no worries on that score

[Northtosouth]

Raphael definitely. I know a 1 year old Raphael, his parents are both British and have no connection to Spain/Italy and it’s never been an issue at all. It would be on our list if they’d not used it already.

[FayCarew]

Caleb, without a doubt. nn Cal

[PicturesOfDogs]

I like Raphael better.

[Petal7]

I much prefer Raphael

[TabithaTittlemouse]

They are so different imo!

Raphael is gorgeous! Go with your heart.

[GlassDeli]

I like Raphael

[user1492757084]

Raphael is very handsome.
Go with it.

[Yintan]

Thank you all for your input! I'm definitely leaning more towards going with my instincts and picking Raphael.

[fairycupcakes]

Raphael is lovely, if you love it go for it! Raphy is a lovely nn!

[RandomUsernameHere]

I love the name Raphael or Rafael.

[pitterypattery00]

Both Raphael and Caleb are Hebrew (Old Testament) names. So I don't think you need to worry about not having Italian/Spanish heritage. I like both, much prefer Rafael spelling.

[ViktoriaPlzen]

Prefer Rafael spelling.
I wasn’t quite brave enough to use it, so I named the cat Rafael

[Algor1thm]

I love Raphael! I've only met one (adult) and he went by Raph. Gorgeous name, lovely and underused but not made up or crazy.

Caleb in contrast is very overdone - I lump it in with all the Kaydens, Kaylems, Callums.

[ShowOfHands]

I have an 11yr old Raphael who is called Raphy or Rapha or Raffles or RifRaf. Never had a negative comment or mispronunciation. Also only met one other in 11 years.

His friends aaaallll know the ninja turtles though. This only makes his name cooler apparently.

[onmyway2010]

We have a Rafael who is almost 7. I love his name and we’ve had lots of compliments on it. He got Rafi when little and now gets mostly Raf. We decided to go with Rafael over Raphael because I was worried the Raph shortening would look like Ralph.

[LittleMrsMama]

Raphael :)