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Raphaela is slightly better for me, but I really can't stand either spelling. It just doesn't sound appealing to me.

No. Nope. Nope. Nope. Noooope. Hate it.

It's pretty, but sad to me;a friend had a baby so named, who died.(crib death.)

I like both Rafael and Rafaela.
I think I like the Italian spelling more - Raffaella - or the German - Raffaela.
I think it has the same sort of charismatic angelly vibe as Raphael, but frillier of course, and spelled Rafaela it's Spanish / Hispanic looking. I also get a playful vibe from it ... by that I mean, outgoing and fun-loving, but in a frilly and charismatic way, not in a tacky loud way. Very European ... which should fit in well with US trends?
I think it's not more common because it just isn't well-known or represented in our culture. I can't think of any famous Rafaelas. And also maybe for the same reason I think Rafael / Raphael itself isn't popular: it's not that easy to say for English speakers. People have trouble with Rafael - they might say Ra-file, or Ra-fail, or something similar, and that ae just not very natural in English. It has the same problem as Michaela, but without the Mckayla solution. Rafaela becomes either Ra-fayella or Ra-fie-yella or even Ra-fella ... I think it's harder to get comfy with, than something like Daniela or Gabriela.

I do like the boy name Rafael, and the assossiation to a boy would stand in the way of liking Rafaela as a good babygirl name. But it could work fine in a book I think. But not on a real life baby girl, not in my opinion.