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Re: What nickname would you use for Raphael?
Rafe is Ralph. Raphael isn't. That's why I don't think Rafe is a nick for Raphael (but I think it's more important that they don't sound the same: Rafe is RAYF / Raphael is RAHF or RAFF).I didn't know Rafe = Ralph either until I read the BtN entry ... but then, I had never even heard of the name Rafe until BtN.

This message was edited 12/19/2011, 9:38 AM

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As for your point on Rafe not having the same sound as the Raph in Raphael...Teddy doesn't sound exactly like Theodore, but people still use it. Jim doesn't sound like James. Hank doesn't sound like Henry. It happens.
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Some people may use Rafe as a nn for Raphael... sometimes you just have to know which case it is for certain people... just like Kate could be for Kathryn or Kathleen or Katelynn or just Kate or Katie and you can't just assume which it is. The main difference is that those are at least related.Jenny/Genny could just be Jenny or could be Jennifer or Geneva or Genevieve. Doesn't mean it's only valid for 1 of those even though they're totally different names.
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Exactly. Good point with Katie. And Susie can be a nickname for Susan or Susanne or Susannah. A nickname, like Rafe, can stand more multiple names.
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