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Baby names

Rafe/Raphael/Rafferty

35 replies

nasara · 07/06/2014 08:10

Still on a quest for our perfect boys' name!

I do like all three but have a slight reservation on each:

Rafe - I like it because it's short and snappy, but think I prefer the long a sound of the other two.

Raphael - I love the nn potentials, but not sure it goes with my last name (Mi tchell)

Rafferty - again, I love the nn potentials, but perhaps this one is a bit surnamey and a bit of a celeb copy cat

What do you think?

OP posts:
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burgatroyd · 07/06/2014 08:17

Raphael, no question. Rafe, OK... Rafferty? Too fluffy for me.

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marmitelover · 07/06/2014 08:23

All of them do sound quite pretentious IMO. Doesn't the awful Sadie Frost have a boy called Rafferty? Too celeb for me and I think will date badly. Raphael works if you've got a bit of Mediterranean links but otherwise is a bit public school for me.

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RAFWife12 · 07/06/2014 10:34

I like Raphael, and could be shortened to Rafe - so best of both worlds!
Don't like Rafferty, sorry!

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devoncreamtea · 07/06/2014 10:36

Rafe Rafe Rafe!!! Can you guess that I have one...?

It is a strong name, that as you say is short and snappy - it works with your surname and to me it feels like it could belong to someone with a talent for anything/doing any job - whereas the others have a more 'arty' feel (just my opinion!).

I struggled with naming my Son - loved this name and also toyed with Rafferty as think it's so sweet for a small boy. I posted on mn - if you search for Rafe in names I'm sure the threads will pop up!

I'm so glad a chose a name I love. Rafe worked for my sweet baby and still for my boisterous incredibly loud toddler...(he was 'Rafey' as a baby - and calls himself Rafey too!)

Whatever we think though, you should choose the one you love best!

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devoncreamtea · 07/06/2014 10:37

Oh and Rafe isn't a version of Raphael as some think - it has a norse root and means 'Wolf' or 'counsel of wolves' - which I also really liked....!

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devoncreamtea · 07/06/2014 10:39

Although of course it would make a great nn for Raphael as RAFwife suggests. must stop posting....

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cjdamoo · 07/06/2014 10:46

Rafe was my boys name for dd I love it.

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Alisvolatpropiis · 07/06/2014 11:34

Rafe!

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Bicnod · 07/06/2014 11:48

Ha! I have a thread about names for DC3 and Rafferty is my favourite boys name but DH unpersuadable Sad

I love it, and love nn Raffy. Also like Rafe but not keen on Raphael.

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Viatrix · 07/06/2014 13:12

Definitely Raphael. Not keen on Rafe or Rafferty.

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Onesleeptillwembley · 07/06/2014 13:21

Rafferty is a bit common. Raphael? Gaining in popularity but is ok. I've never come across a Rafe but wasn't it an alternative pronunciation to Ralph at one time? It sounds nice, Ralph doesn't.

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AWombWithoutARoof · 07/06/2014 13:25

I'd say for Raphael you need some mediterranean heritage, but I love the sound of the word, it's really beautiful.

Rafe makes me think of the rather pretentious (IMO) pronunciation of Ralph, and also the fabulous Rafe Spall.

I like Rafferty, but it is a bit slebby.

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squoosh · 07/06/2014 13:52

I love Raphael and you can use Rafe/Raffy/Rafa as a nickname for this so best of both worlds.

Rafferty is a surname or a celeb baby name.

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TurquoiseDress · 07/06/2014 15:00

I love Raphael!

You could shorten it to Raph or Rafa like the tennis player!

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Navybluetutu · 07/06/2014 15:02

Oh I like all 3, think I would go for Rafferty if I had to choose.

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IWillYeah · 07/06/2014 15:03

Raphael (or Rafael, which is Spanish I think) - beautiful.

Rafe - meh.

Rafferty is awful.

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nasara · 07/06/2014 16:43

Thanks for the input so far - it really does help.

I think Rafferty has moved way down the list, but do you think Raphael goes with my last name (M itch ell)?

I had discounted all other names ending in -el/ell as sounding quite rhymey e.g. Nathaniel.

OP posts:
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Onesleeptillwembley · 07/06/2014 16:45

Think both names together don't flow, sadly.

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squoosh · 07/06/2014 16:55

I think Raphael M* sounds great. The first name and surname end with different sounds, In Raphael it's an elongated 'ell' sound and with the surname it's quite a short 'ull' sound'.

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DramaAlpaca · 07/06/2014 16:57

I was just going to post exactly what squoosh just said, but got distracted on another thread. Completely agree.

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HobinRood · 07/06/2014 20:14

I love the name Rafe.

Although I instantly think of Ben Affleck's character in Pearl Harbour.

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Viatrix · 07/06/2014 20:34

I also agree with what squoosh said, I think Raphael M itch ell sounds fine.

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Rhubarbgarden · 08/06/2014 10:37

I agree with other posters that you need some kind of Mediterranean link to use Raphael, although it is a beautiful name.

Rafe sounds affected.

Rafferty is ridiculous.

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badtime · 08/06/2014 11:51

I prefer the 'Rafael' spelling, but I think 'Raphael' is the best of your choices.

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Marnierose · 08/06/2014 17:46

Google 'raphe' ( pronounced the same as Rafe)

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