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Help[Opinions] Raphael
We have been discussing this name lately. We can't agree on a nickname - husband doesn't like Rafe and we both find Raffi childish. Raf seems incomplete.
The dumbest thing I've ever heard is that it should only be spelled Rafael and used by Hispanics. My family only sees the connection to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, also problematic.
I've always loved the name, it's history, and it's meaning. My husband loves the Book of Tobit where the archangel is mentioned.
Thoughts? We both like Julian Raphael, even if it seems pretentious.
The dumbest thing I've ever heard is that it should only be spelled Rafael and used by Hispanics. My family only sees the connection to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, also problematic.
I've always loved the name, it's history, and it's meaning. My husband loves the Book of Tobit where the archangel is mentioned.
Thoughts? We both like Julian Raphael, even if it seems pretentious.
This message was edited 9/22/2019, 2:30 PM
Archived Thread - replies disabled
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Replies
I like the name, and both spellings, but I prefer Raphael and especially if you're English speaking. The combo is fine as well. Yes, it's pretentious but it's not like he's going to introduce himself using both names all the time, right? No biggie.
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I really like Raphael, though I prefer its feminine forms.
I don't think it needs a nickname, but if you don't like Raf / Raph (which doesn't sound incomplete to me), perhaps you could opt for Ray, El, or something unintuitive like Rollo or Roly?
I don't think it needs a nickname, but if you don't like Raf / Raph (which doesn't sound incomplete to me), perhaps you could opt for Ray, El, or something unintuitive like Rollo or Roly?
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It's a nice name, and Raffaele is common-ish in Italy without being overused. I don't particularly think it needs a nickname (nor that any name does for what it's worth, but maybe it's a cultural thing?)
While I don't think what other people have to say/think should be completely disregarded, I don't find the objections you're receiving particularly valid, especially if it's going to be a middle name.
While I don't think what other people have to say/think should be completely disregarded, I don't find the objections you're receiving particularly valid, especially if it's going to be a middle name.
This message was edited 9/23/2019, 1:19 AM
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I have spent quite a bit of saying the name to myself repeatedly, thanks to Billina. Considering how often I use all three of my daughter's names the flow of Julian Raphael plus my surname does not work. It doesn't have the right vibe. Miriam Elizabeth Mae has a more welcoming, down home feeling that Julian Raphael doesn't.
I like Aaron Raphael a bit better, but again Raphael runs into my surname.
I like Aaron Raphael a bit better, but again Raphael runs into my surname.
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Aaron Raphael is vey nice and I agree that it better matches the vibe of your daughter’s name. I made a stab to find a second middle name, three syllables to match your daughter’s pattern of 8, with a long “a” sound near the end and, hopefully, a vibe more welcoming than pretentious: Aaron Raphael Andreas. I will now shut up on the matter and let you be. :)
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For the record, I wouldn't want anyone to not use a name they love, just because I don't like it. But, I will give my opinion, when asked.
This message was edited 9/23/2019, 10:03 AM
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I knew a Raphael once; his nn was pronounced Rafey but I never saw it written down. Certainly safer as a mn.
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I know a Raphael nn Raph (roff), which works well on an adult. I like the name a whole lot. Rafa is great too, but I think it works better as a nn for Rafael.
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I've always liked it, along with Raphaelle. I'd be fine using either. They'd feel appropriate within my cultural context. The Ninja Turtles association is only a blip on my radar; Raphael's biblical, multicultural, not obscure in modern usage, and the only reason it was used for a Ninja Turtle to begin with was because it's a famous artist's name.
I don't think it needs a nickname anymore than Miriam does, and Raphi (rah-fee) would seem most natural to me, but maybe El could work?
I wouldn't not use it just because it doesn't sound amazing with your last name (I guess because of alliteration? or it starts with El? or it rhymes?). Sometimes that bothers me (like I dislike when a FN ends with S, and the surname starts with S, or a one syllable name that rhymed, like Wade Spade, would sound really bad), but I'm having a hard time coming up with a surname that'd sound *really* bad with Raphael. Plus, as Tiggs said, if you'd prefer it as a MN, you could just add a 2nd MN to make it flow better.
I don't think it needs a nickname anymore than Miriam does, and Raphi (rah-fee) would seem most natural to me, but maybe El could work?
I wouldn't not use it just because it doesn't sound amazing with your last name (I guess because of alliteration? or it starts with El? or it rhymes?). Sometimes that bothers me (like I dislike when a FN ends with S, and the surname starts with S, or a one syllable name that rhymed, like Wade Spade, would sound really bad), but I'm having a hard time coming up with a surname that'd sound *really* bad with Raphael. Plus, as Tiggs said, if you'd prefer it as a MN, you could just add a 2nd MN to make it flow better.
This message was edited 9/22/2019, 7:35 PM
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Odd. I just realized Miriam and Raphael have the same number of syllables and yet Raphael seems longer. I wanted to use Miri as a nn for Miriam but I have a niece named Mira. A few people tried to call her Mimi but that's what my mom uses instead of grandma!
My last name is a boring, Irish name. My maiden name would sound great with Raphael but with my married name sounds like you're trying to pass of glass as a diamond.
In the end though, who knows? We had always planned on using Margaret as a first name. I liked Miriam, my husband never did. Two months in we had settled on Miriam.
I'll just add to the list for the time being.
My last name is a boring, Irish name. My maiden name would sound great with Raphael but with my married name sounds like you're trying to pass of glass as a diamond.
In the end though, who knows? We had always planned on using Margaret as a first name. I liked Miriam, my husband never did. Two months in we had settled on Miriam.
I'll just add to the list for the time being.
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Tennis star Rafael Nadal goes by "Rafa" (RAH-fuh) as his nickname. It's cute and sporty
I love Raphael too. It's one of my favorites.
I love Raphael too. It's one of my favorites.
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Julian Raphael is great, and middle names don't matter that much unless they're really bad (like Lucifer or Danger or whatever).
Rafe is a British toff name, and Raffi is all 'down by the bay where the watermelons grow' to me.
Not every name needs a nickname! Raphael is fine without one.
Although I do think if you want to put down Julian as the legal first name, that should be what he's called, what nicknames are based off of, etc.
Rafe is a British toff name, and Raffi is all 'down by the bay where the watermelons grow' to me.
Not every name needs a nickname! Raphael is fine without one.
Although I do think if you want to put down Julian as the legal first name, that should be what he's called, what nicknames are based off of, etc.
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I like Raphael and Rafael. I don't really like Rafe and Raffi just reminds me of that singer guy who did kids songs in the 90's or whenever.
I think Raf or Raph is okay if you're not looking for an 'everyday' nickname. Just like a short syllable to say in casual conversation. Like, my name is Emma and I don't have an everyday nickname but people (mostly my parents) will call me Em sometimes because it's easier. It's a nickname but not the way Chris is a nickname for Christopher, you know?
I think Ray or Rae might work, or something like Rel. Or Raphi prn. ra-fee (instead of Raffi prn. raff-ee).
Julian Raphael is cool, I don't think it's pretentious.
I think Raf or Raph is okay if you're not looking for an 'everyday' nickname. Just like a short syllable to say in casual conversation. Like, my name is Emma and I don't have an everyday nickname but people (mostly my parents) will call me Em sometimes because it's easier. It's a nickname but not the way Chris is a nickname for Christopher, you know?
I think Ray or Rae might work, or something like Rel. Or Raphi prn. ra-fee (instead of Raffi prn. raff-ee).
Julian Raphael is cool, I don't think it's pretentious.
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You're right, the name doesn't flow with our last name. At all. Back to the drawing board.
I'm coming closer to agreeing to try. M has outgrown a lot of her issues and it seems that she should catch up completely in a year with just a few quirks. Plus, siblings are so important - I feel compelled to at least try.
I'm coming closer to agreeing to try. M has outgrown a lot of her issues and it seems that she should catch up completely in a year with just a few quirks. Plus, siblings are so important - I feel compelled to at least try.
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nm.
nm
nm
This message was edited 9/22/2019, 9:03 PM
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