Robyn or Raphaelle

[Frankiefarr]

On the list were
Robyn - which I had been preferring,
Sylvie

But then I've been watching a French programme called Astrid and Raphaelle and suddenly I am like, I love Raphaelle. In the show everyone calls her Raph and I think I like it even more! Just wondering if it works as well for the UK. I like Raf short for Rafaela too but think I like Raphaelle may be more

Before anyone says what about Astrid, I know its popular but it always makes me think of elderly uptight Swedish women

Robyn's ok but a bit too boyish for me.
Raphaelle is too frilly and will get said as Rafa-yell, which doesn't sound great. Raf is awful.

There are lots of French girl's names that are feminised versions of a boy's name, like Alberte, Michelle, Danielle, Paule etc

I love Robin, spelt like that, I don’t think there’s any need for the ‘70s y

Sylvie is pretty

Raphaelle is lovely but Raphael is so popular for boys in the Uk - whereas the feminine forms are hardly used - I think that would cause confusion, and would put me off.. so I would go for Raphaela if you do

Robin is genially unisex like Rowan so that is more manageable.

That’s interesting that you consider Robin to be unisex @Luredbyapomegranate, I always thought Robin was the masculine and Robyn the feminine version of that name, it has always been that way for any Robin/Robyn’s I have met. I guess it’s just a spelling and can be adopted either way way though!

My eldest daughter is Raphaela and has always loved her name, she gets constant compliments on it and once people can remember it they never forget it. She is called Rapha, Raphy and Raph by friends. We do live in the USA however, although I am British. We also lived in Germany and it’s a name used there as well as in many other nations such as Italy, Spanish speaking nations and France. Particularly countries that are, or were, majority Catholic. It’s because Raphael is one of the Archangels and so those countries have also use Michael and Gabriel consistently. Whenever we visit the UK everyone loves it there too. She is now 22.

Robin or Robyn- ok for xmas baby
Sylvia - makes me think of an old stripper
Raphaellle - is try hard and a mouthful
Astrid- hate the nn 'Ass'

I know a Robyn, everyone calls her Bob. She’s a feisty little thing so it really suits her