Raphael
01 May 2009 6 Comments
in baby names, Boys, Lists, Musings, names Tags: Rafael, Rafe, Raphael
I’m thinking about Raphael these days. I usually go for Rafael as that’s the family spelling. Not only that, but in my heavily Brasilian community, a Rafael is far more likely than a Raphael. But I do like Raphael and decided to try him out. Here’s what we came up with:
Raphael Edward Wilder
Raphael William Rex
Raphael Milo Valentine
Raphael Edward Aloysius
Raphael Willem Algernon
Raphael Arthur George
Raphael Milo Arthur
Raphael Ezra Jude
Raphael Xavier John
Raphael Henry Bleys
Raphael Maxim James
Raphael Alasdair Claud
Raphael Edgar Hugh
Raphael Edward Apollo
Raphael Barnaby Arthur
Raphael Felix Emil
Raphael John Porfirio
Raphael Albert James
Raphael Edgar Wilder
Raphael Oliver Bede
Sorry for the sheer number of combos. Raphael proved quite easy to work with. He’s got great rhythm!
What do you think of Raphael? Leo, Simon, Josephine & Raphael (Leo, Sim, Josie & Rafe)? Workable? Not? Good, Bad, ugly? Is there anything up there that jumps out to you? I highlighted my faves, what are yours?
And, as always, Thanks a million for stopping by! 
My “style”?
19 Apr 2009 10 Comments
in baby names, Boys, Girls, Lists, Musings, names, Weirdness Tags: Alasdair, Arthur, Barnaby, Beatrix, Bruno, Caspar, Cecilia, Cecily, Clarnece, Clementine, Cleo, Cosmo, Edith, Edward, Euphemia, Francis, Harvey, Ignatius, Imogen, Jemima, Lilias, Linus, Lucretia, Mathilda, Maud, Oscar, Ottilie, Philippa, Rafael, Remy, Rufus, style, Sylvie, Winifred, Xanthe, Zelda
I am apparently all over the map, style wise. I really looked at my top lists the other day and was struck by the fact that I seem to have at least 2 separate styles. Weird and funky. here, I’ve grouped them in similar piles:
Group 1
Maud India Scarlett
Ottilie Alice Ghislaine
Zelda Lucy Violet
Edith Zenobia Violet
Lilias Mehetabel June
Sylvie Mimosa Jane
Xanthe Iris Dorothea
Cleo Portia Rupinder
Cecily Pandora Jane
Group 2
Clementine India Jane
Jemima Lucy Maud
Lucretia Ruby Iris
Winifred Elinor Plum
Matilda Frances Ruby
Imogen Violet Jane
Beatrix Violet Jane
Euphemia Elinor Glory
Philippa Saskia Violet
Cecilia Violet Petronel
and those are just the girls! I can do that to the boys too, to a lesser extent. See:
Group1
Rufus Wilder John
Remy Edward Xavier
Cosmo Henry George
Bruno Edward Rafael
Barnaby Edward Rex
Ignatius Edward George
Clarence Arthur Finlay
Caspar James Porfirio
Alasdair Barnaby George
Group 2
Arthur Henry Llewellyn
Oscar Valentin George
Linus Willem Bleys
Harvey Edward Augustin
Francis Henry Porfirio
Edward Balthazar George
Rafael August Anselm
So, do you agree, I’m mildly crazy? or do you see these in different groups? Which group appeals more to you? Which ones? Anything really jump out at you up there? Let me know!
And, as always, thanks for stopping by!
Raphael & Beatrix again
24 Feb 2009 6 Comments
in baby names Tags: Beatrix, Rafael, Raphael
I’ve been thinking of Raphael up front after trying him out in the middle for a while. Still haven’t decided if I should use the standard Raphael spelling or go with the familial Rafael. I like both, it’s a tough choice. Standard spelling, less likely to be misspelled or family spelling, correct them occasionally and link the family. *shrug* Will have to think some more on that.
I’ve got a few I’m rather fond of at the moment:
Raphael August Anselm – August for Mom, Anselm’s the family Patron Saint.
Raphael August Grey – Grey just because I like him.
Raphael August Hugh – I prefer Hugo but he doesn’t flow here, so zippy Hugh replaces.
Raphael August Albion – Albion because I like his meaning and his sound.
Anyone think I’m on the right track with Raphael? Have a preference between Raphael & Rafael?
Moving on to Beatrix. I’m still completely smitten by Trixie (yeah, watched Speed Racer, again the other day), also because of Trixie Belden. Beatrix just makes me swoon! But still can’t find the “perfect” combo for her, for me. I’ve had Beatrix Poppy Elinor for several months as the standard bearer, but I’ve not been super pleased with her, she’s lovely but a bit too sprightly for my liking. And Beatrix Jemima Alice is on the list now, but I’ve decided I much prefer Jemima up front. So I went digging again and have come up with these few that make me smile:
Beatrix Ottilie Pearl – Ottilie because I love it, Pearl feels perfect here!
Beatrix Lucy Violet – Lucy, you all know, Violet too, I think. Very family, this pair.
Beatrix Saffron Adele – Saffron for another cousin, Adele because she’s just beautiful here. (Only drawback? he sometimes says AY-dell, like in “Natural Born Killers”, great movie, horrible pronunciation!)
I waffle hourly as to which one of these I like best! Anyone have any thoughts? Is there anything there that leaps out at you as “that’s pretty great!” ? Let me know, I’d absolutely love you for it! As always, Thanks for stopping by!
Bruno Redux
11 Feb 2009 4 Comments
in baby names, Musings, names Tags: Arthur, Bruno, Edward, George, Henry, James, John, Neville, Rafael, Rohan, Valentin, Verity, Xavier
Reinspired by Verity’s cousin, Bruno has resurfaced on my lists. I had discussed him more in depth earlier: Bruno Revisited.
And confessed my favorite combo was Bruno Henry Valentin. Well, I still like it but am rethinking the combo. I have a dozen or more combos that I’m polling today. But here are the ones that appeal to us most:
Bruno Edward Rafael
Bruno Xavier John
Bruno August Edward
Bruno Arthur George
Bruno Neville John
Bruno Francis John
Bruno Magnus Rafael
Bruno Rohan James
Bruno Arthur Jude
Anything there stand out more than Bruno Henry Valentin?
I really like his warm, fuzzy feel. And do think he fits in the family. Not only is he a related family surname ( My Stepmom), but he gives off a “big” vibe. My boys are 6’2″ and 6’1 respectively and probably weigh between 175 and 200. (probably: I haven’t weighed them myself since they were 12 and haven’t accompanied them to the doctors since they were 19). So yes, Bruno fits. He’d even fit when little, Bruno feels solid, doesn’t he? All my kids are solid. The sort that knock you down at 2 if you’re not braced when they run at you for a hug. Josie knocked me over twice before I remembered that little gem! The boys used to do it all the time, and that was a bit worse, because they’d hit me together for a hug. Double whammy!
I know there’s folks out there who just don’t like Bruno but I like that, actually. Means a lot of people won’t be using him! I just checked his rankings, and found Bruno’s charted between 900 & 700 since 2000. Before that, he bounced on & off the charts between 1968 and 1999, but mostly off. Prior to 1968, the only year he wasn’t on was 1883! So I’m more than comfortable with Bruno.
So, anything there that strikes you right or jumps out at you? We each have a favorite or two up there but wonder which one others might like? As always, Thanks!
Clarence, expanded
03 Dec 2008 4 Comments
in baby names, Boys, Clarence, Lists, names Tags: Arthur, Clarence, Dashiell, Edward, Finlay, Henry, Rafael, Reuel, Rohan
I like warm & fuzzy things. Clarence is one of them. Yes, he’s warm, fuzzy, friendly, happy, strong and handsome. I’ve liked him for a good while now, a year and a half, maybe a bit more. I think he’s pretty awesome, actually. I only have one small problem, I’m still looking for his perfect combo. Here’s what I’ve gone through already:
Clarence Henry Rafael
Clarence Henry Xavier
Clarence Dashiell Henry
Clarence Henry Valentin
Clarence Gavriel George
Clarence Gabriel Arthur
Clarence Alastair George
Clarence Rohan George
Clarence Edward Fionn
Clarence Henry Gavriil
Clarence Gavriil Finn
Clarence Gavriel George
Clarence Henry Rafael
Clarence Arthur Gabriel
Clarence Henry Neville
Clarence Edward Rafael
Clarence Edward Jude
Clarence Edward Bruce
Clarence Edward Reuel
Clarence Henry Reuel
My goodness, that’s a lot of Clarences! And worse, there’s more:
Clarence Fintan Hugh
Clarence John Reuel
Clarence Hugo James
Clarence Edward Jude
Clarence Arthur Jude
Clarence Arthur Finlay
Clarence William Alasdair
Clarence Julien Edward
I’ve tentatively settled with Clarence Henry Rafael but am also liking Clarence Henry Reuel (The best way to honor Tolkien!), Clarence Rohan George, Clarence Edward Fionn & Clarence Dashiell Henry (or maybe Clarence Henry Dashiell?). Clarence Fintan Hugh’s pretty awesome and I really dig Clarence Arthur Finlay. Worse yet, he doesn’t have a preference, he just likes Clarence, and says he honestly doesn’t care what he’s paired with. Clarence is his #1 choice, Cosmo’s mine. We’ve come to an agreement on Cosmo (Cosmo Henry Gavriil) but nothing even close with Clarence. I really do like him but am having such trouble!
Something still feels missing, though. Clarence almost sparkles with Henry Reuel & Edward Fionn but almost isn’t good enough. Clarence Arthur Finlay is probably the sparkliest one for me. What do you think?
And the Boys
22 Nov 2008 Leave a Comment
in baby names, Boys, Cosmo, Lists, names Tags: Alasdair, August, Cassius, Clarence, Cosmo, Ignatius, Lucius, Oscar, Rafael, Remus
I can’t leave the boys out! Here’s the top ten:
Cosmo – Coz
Cassius – Cash, Cass
Remus – Remy, Rex (due to initials in combo)
August – Augie, Gus
Lucius – Lou, Luc
Clarence – Clancy, Clare, Ren
Alasdair – Alec, AB (due to initials)
Oscar – Oz, Ozzy
Rafael – Rafe
Ignatius – Iggy, Nate, Nat
If you’re interested in them in full combos or you’d like to see the whole list, look here.
Top Boys List
09 Nov 2008 Leave a Comment
in Boys, Cosmo, Musings, names Tags: Alasdair, August, Casimir, Cassius, Clarence, Cosmo, Ignatius, Lucius, Maxim, Rafael, Remus, Sidney
I figure I should really post the top boys, since I did the girls a few days ago. Top Girls It’s only fair to give the bucks a turn!
So, without further ado,
Cosmo Henry Graham ♥
Cassius Barnaby Rex
Remus Edward Xavier
August Edward Valentine
Lucius Edward Porfirio
Clarence Henry Rafael
Alasdair Barnaby George
Rafael Edward Porfirio
Runnerups:
Ignatius Henry August
Sidney Edward Porfirio
Casimir Amadeus John
Maxim Edgar Rafael
Rafael vs. Raphael?
04 Nov 2008 2 Comments
in Boys, Musings, names Tags: Rafael, Raphael
Okay, I’m whitebread American. Granted I’ve got Russian, Polish, Scots & German background and I got the Scots surname out of the deal. But Rafael is a family name on my late Mother’s side; hangs all over the tree. Raphael is the standard English spelling and for a lot of folks, the default spelling. I’d love to use Rafael/Raphael but am leaning towards Rafael for two reasons:
1. It’s the family spelling and seeing as how he’s stuck with family all his life, Rafael makes a bit more sense.
2. We live in the middle of a huge Brasilian population here in Central MA. I see Rafael more often than Raphael, which may make it easier on him through school. And since he’d be Rafe, again, Rafael makes a touch more sense.
But I’m still waffling. Rafael is sexy, Raphael is the teensiet bit stodgy. I love stodgy but not with Raphael. And the I think Josephine & Raphael, how cheesy is it to have two kids with that ‘ph’ combo in it?
Well, here’s the combo, both ways:
Rafael Edward Porfirio
Raphael Edward Porfiro
Edward’s for an Uncle, Porfirio, I’ve loved him since I was two. He’s so fun to say: por-FEER-ee-oh. Fun is definitely a priority for me this time. I have to enjoy saying it over all.
Which do you like better? Hmm?
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