Does a 'Raphael' have to be beautiful?

[beautifulbubbles]

I really like this name, but was reading a thread on another forum where someone said they liked this name but they felt their son would have to be beautiful to carry it off.

This has put me off a little

What do MNers think?

Do you suspect your DS will not be beautiful?

Although, if he's ugly he could probably pull off the name if he was dressed like a turtle and good at martial arts

I kind of think they do - if your DS turns out to be less than beautiful or alernatively a complete bruiser and a 6' rugby player with a broken nose and cauliflower ear, then Raphael is not the name for him

I think they are talking bollocks.

You can't wait that long to find out what they look like.

I thought my baby was gorgeous but looking back at some of the photos they weren't great some of the time. Obviously now they are truly gorgeous but a lot older than the 6-7 weeks you have to name them!

I'm quite concerned that the OP thinks her baby won't be beautiful though.

I'm just going my husbands genes

I really don't understand the question - why would a name imply a more or less beautiful baby???

Unless a name actually means 'beauty' or 'beautiful', which to my knowledge Raphael does not, why on earth should it matter how a male looks that is named Raphael?????

I think she said its because Raphael was an arch angel so you would expect a blonde haired beauty

I think it sounds a bit effeminate TBH

I like Rapheal. Not sure if he would have ti beautiful. I guess he would shorten it anyone, so if was a rugby player called 'raffa' you wouldn't think it strange

Excuse typos - had a few glass es of wine with sunday lunch

Yes, I do think it is a name for a beautiful person tbh. Can you imagine someone like these two with that name??

I know someone called Raphael who is not beautiful at at all. He's large and ginger and freckly actually. He is, however, an artist by profession. And I wonder whether he would have been had he been called Jack.

But I can imagine one of them called 'Raffa' - lets face it if he can pull it off, anyone can

I love it, like the idea of shortening it to Raph too. I think it will lend beauty rather than require it.

I think Raphael is surprisingly versatile as boys' names go

Raphael the long-fingered torured pianist

Raphael the maths/physics genius

Raphael the huge muscle-bound rugger bugger, known as Raff

I know a Raphael who is traffic-stopping beautiful - he is an absolute shit though and his father is a misogynistic twat... still, at least he has his looks! I don't think the OP meant that her child wouldn't be beautiful... but not all of us will be the face of Ralph Lauren will we?

I love it. And Raph/ Raff or Rafa are both nice not-too-pretty nicknames as well. It's on my list. I'd never thought about it being associated with beauty or blonde curls TBH.

Any more opinions?

the only Rafael I knew was a gorgeous 6ft plus slim black man, basketball player and sex on legs basically...one of the funniest people I have ever known. Now I come to think of it I'm not sure he was really good looking but his name really suited him. NOt sure if that helps!?!?

I also once knew a Rafael, Rafa for short. He was Spanish and although not obviously gorgeous and quite quiet and unassuming nearly all the girls I knew were weak at the knees around him. Maybe it was just the name.

DS1 has a Raphael in his class known as Raffy - he dones have blonde hair and fine features though!

gorgeous name. Your son is always beautiful to you no problem!