New Post
Search
Help[Opinions] Magdalene and Raphael
I've suddenly decided that both names - despite how much I may love them - are too upper-class and arrogant to use. Wdyt? Are they? Would Miriam and Jonas be better, or is that same problem? Nathaniel and Judith?
Or am I just being silly?
Or am I just being silly?
Archived Thread - replies disabled
1
Replies
I think Magdalene and Raphael are both wonderful names that are rich in history. They are sophisticated, but certainly not arrogant.
The only beef I have with Magdalene are the obvious religious connotations. If that's what you're going for than great...if not, Magdalena might be a better choice. It's still a beautiful name, but sounds less pvertly religious to the English-speaking ear.
The only beef I have with Magdalene are the obvious religious connotations. If that's what you're going for than great...if not, Magdalena might be a better choice. It's still a beautiful name, but sounds less pvertly religious to the English-speaking ear.
1
I don't see them as arrogant and upper-class, they're not like say, Algernon and Hildegarde. They're elegant and traditional names. I generally like your naming style, you're good at picking names that are tasteful and traditional, but at the same time original.
As concerns Miriam and Jonas, Miriam is gorgeous, Jonas is ok but I'm not crazy about it.
Nathaniel I used to dislike (possibly because it reminded me too much of Hawthorne) but it's growing on me, and Judith's pretty.
As concerns Miriam and Jonas, Miriam is gorgeous, Jonas is ok but I'm not crazy about it.
Nathaniel I used to dislike (possibly because it reminded me too much of Hawthorne) but it's growing on me, and Judith's pretty.
This message was edited 11/24/2007, 5:47 AM
1
I don't think Magdalene, Raphael, Nathaniel, Judith, or Miriam sound snobbish at all. I associate Magdalena and Raphael with Hispanics, and therefore immigrant or lower-class. (sorry, just my gut reaction) I know working-class Judiths and Miriams, so no problem there. And Nathaniel is just common, so I can see it in any class. The only one I sort of agree with is Jonas.
But for any of them, class connotations are *not* the first things I think of, and the child themselves would color the name for me far more than any slight class connotations I may have. I love Magdalene and Miriam.
But for any of them, class connotations are *not* the first things I think of, and the child themselves would color the name for me far more than any slight class connotations I may have. I love Magdalene and Miriam.
This message was edited 11/24/2007, 2:00 AM
1
I think that Magdalene and Raphael sound fine together. I've known a Raphael who was very down-to-earth and friendly, definitely personable and not at all arrogant. I haven't known anyone named Magdalene, but I don't think it sounds arrogant.
I actually quite like Magdalene and Raphael as a sibling set. And Miriam and Jonas. Nathaniel's okay, and I'm not crazy about Judith for personal reasons. I do think that it sounds nice though, I just would never use it.
My favorite of your boys combos has always been Jonas Raphael. It just has a very nice look, feel, and sound. I'd go with that and Miriam _______. Maybe Miriam Ivy, Miriam Wren, Miriam Helen...
I'd say Jonas Raphael, Miriam Ivy (and then for two more, Sylvia Wren and Xavier Allan, which I know I've seen you post about before.)
I just have to say, in conclusion to this post that's probably longer than it needs to be, is that I love your naming taste very much.
I actually quite like Magdalene and Raphael as a sibling set. And Miriam and Jonas. Nathaniel's okay, and I'm not crazy about Judith for personal reasons. I do think that it sounds nice though, I just would never use it.
My favorite of your boys combos has always been Jonas Raphael. It just has a very nice look, feel, and sound. I'd go with that and Miriam _______. Maybe Miriam Ivy, Miriam Wren, Miriam Helen...
I'd say Jonas Raphael, Miriam Ivy (and then for two more, Sylvia Wren and Xavier Allan, which I know I've seen you post about before.)
I just have to say, in conclusion to this post that's probably longer than it needs to be, is that I love your naming taste very much.
1
I don't feel that Magdalene and Raphael are too upper-class and arrogant at all! I just feel that they're names, waiting to be used. :)
The only time I really get a sense that a certain name or names seem like something belonging to a particular class is when the name is decidedly 'name vomit' and looks/sounds trashy.
Honestly, if I were a kid, I wouldn't mind have an upper-crusty-sounding name. I don't think any of your names are untouchable in the least and any kid should be happy to be named Raphael, Magdalene, Judith, Jonas, Nathaniel or Miriam. :)
The only time I really get a sense that a certain name or names seem like something belonging to a particular class is when the name is decidedly 'name vomit' and looks/sounds trashy.
Honestly, if I were a kid, I wouldn't mind have an upper-crusty-sounding name. I don't think any of your names are untouchable in the least and any kid should be happy to be named Raphael, Magdalene, Judith, Jonas, Nathaniel or Miriam. :)
1
I don't think it matters, if you like it use it.
1
I tend to keep in mind societal constructs when choosing my child's name
It isn't a pet, and my child will live with his/her name for the rest of her life.
It isn't a pet, and my child will live with his/her name for the rest of her life.
1
I don't think Magdalene and Raphael are too upper-class and arrogant to use. I like Raphael a lot and Magdalene is ok. I'm really starting to dislike Miriam, Jonas is very nice as well. I dislike Judith just a little bit less than Miriam and Nathaniel always seemed a bit whimpy to me. So Raphael and Magdalene are definately the best options in my opinion, with Jonas as a very good alternative to Raphael.
1
I don't think Magdalene and Raphael are too upper-class or arrogant sounding at all. I love them both. Raphaela has been going through my head lately for a girl, so I may be biased.
Miriam and Jonas do sound gorgeous together. They have a more down to earth (no pun intended) feeling than Magdalene and Raphael. But I don't prefer one set over the other.
I love both Nathaniel and judith, although strangely they give me different vibes and so I'm having a harder time placing them as siblings. I know Nathaniel is biblical, but it immediately makes me think of Mr. Hawthorne and new England Puritans. Judith does make me think of the Old Testament, so that's where the different vibrations are coming from.
I'm quibbling, of course. If I ever really met a Judith and Nathaniel sibling set in real life I'd be very impressed. But if you're asking me here in hypothetical sibling land how I'd like the set, I'd have to vote for either Magdalene and Raphael or Miriam and Jonas over Nathaniel and Judith.
Miriam and Jonas do sound gorgeous together. They have a more down to earth (no pun intended) feeling than Magdalene and Raphael. But I don't prefer one set over the other.
I love both Nathaniel and judith, although strangely they give me different vibes and so I'm having a harder time placing them as siblings. I know Nathaniel is biblical, but it immediately makes me think of Mr. Hawthorne and new England Puritans. Judith does make me think of the Old Testament, so that's where the different vibrations are coming from.
I'm quibbling, of course. If I ever really met a Judith and Nathaniel sibling set in real life I'd be very impressed. But if you're asking me here in hypothetical sibling land how I'd like the set, I'd have to vote for either Magdalene and Raphael or Miriam and Jonas over Nathaniel and Judith.
1
Thanks.
I'm wondering if the issue I have isn't the fact that they are too upper class, but that they're very Catholic sounding to me. I'm a Baptist, bone and bred, and Miriam/Jonas are more homey to me than Magdalene and Raphael. To my boyfriend, however, who is Catholic, he prefers them.
It's a frustrating situation.
I'm wondering if the issue I have isn't the fact that they are too upper class, but that they're very Catholic sounding to me. I'm a Baptist, bone and bred, and Miriam/Jonas are more homey to me than Magdalene and Raphael. To my boyfriend, however, who is Catholic, he prefers them.
It's a frustrating situation.
1
I agree, Magdalene (I prefer Magdalena) and Raphael do have strong Catholic vibes for me (but then I am Catholic and love both names).
But, I think the question is what are you going to raise your children as, Baptist or Catholic (or neither)? I mean with a Catholic father I don't see the problem with the names, especially if you like them.
On the other hand to me, Miriam and Jonas (Jonah more so) have a Jewish vibe.
I love Nathaniel!
But, I think the question is what are you going to raise your children as, Baptist or Catholic (or neither)? I mean with a Catholic father I don't see the problem with the names, especially if you like them.
On the other hand to me, Miriam and Jonas (Jonah more so) have a Jewish vibe.
I love Nathaniel!
1
A mixture.
Most likely in the Catholic church with a few small differences - no infant baptism, no communion taken as a child. When they are confirmed (I would much prefer baptized, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it), they can do both.
My heritage is incredibly important to me, and that includes being Baptist. They can be raised in the Catholic church, but I will teach them to think with the mind of a Baptist.
Most likely in the Catholic church with a few small differences - no infant baptism, no communion taken as a child. When they are confirmed (I would much prefer baptized, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it), they can do both.
My heritage is incredibly important to me, and that includes being Baptist. They can be raised in the Catholic church, but I will teach them to think with the mind of a Baptist.
1
No, I don't find either arrogant. It's true that they're both classy and sophistocated, but I don't get that snobby vibe from either name. In fact, I've always thought there's delightful earthiness and warmth about the name Magdalene, and Raphael has an artistic, bohemian feel to it.
Magdalene & Raphael would make a fab sibset, BTW.
Magdalene & Raphael would make a fab sibset, BTW.
1
I don't like Raphael. I don't think it is upperclass or arrogant though, I know a younger boy who had the name and I actually associate it with lowerclass individuals. A like the nn Rafe though, but not Ralph. I like the name Magdalena but it sounds a bit too serious. Again, I know a few lowerclass individuals with the name so I don't associate it with upperclass arrogance.
Of all your choices, the only one that sounds arrogant imo is Judith but that could be that most Judith's go by Judy and if they don't I tend to see them as a bit too serious.
Of all your choices, the only one that sounds arrogant imo is Judith but that could be that most Judith's go by Judy and if they don't I tend to see them as a bit too serious.
1