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HelpIra, Thomas and Rapahel
These are the top three boys' names that my husband and I have agreed on. I'm still on the fence with Ira & Raphael, so I'm curious about what people think.
Other names that we somewhat agree on are Simon, Thaddeus & Julian. We are just not able to agree on boys names at all. I prefer uncommon ones like Rueben, Stellan, Lev, Amos, Ezra and Theron - he likes incredibly dramatic names like Edgar, Ambrose, Raphael and Constantine. The fact that we somewhat agree on three is nothing short of a miracle.
Other names that we somewhat agree on are Simon, Thaddeus & Julian. We are just not able to agree on boys names at all. I prefer uncommon ones like Rueben, Stellan, Lev, Amos, Ezra and Theron - he likes incredibly dramatic names like Edgar, Ambrose, Raphael and Constantine. The fact that we somewhat agree on three is nothing short of a miracle.
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What happened to Joseph nn Joss? I loved that one.
I adore Thomas. It is a name I could see myself using one day. Ira reminds me of old men gambling away their retirement and Raphael is too overtly religious for my tastes but is fine as a mn.
I like Simon a lot. Thaddeus is a bit stuffy and geeky to me but fine for someone else's kid and Julian has always seemed weak to me.
I adore Thomas. It is a name I could see myself using one day. Ira reminds me of old men gambling away their retirement and Raphael is too overtly religious for my tastes but is fine as a mn.
I like Simon a lot. Thaddeus is a bit stuffy and geeky to me but fine for someone else's kid and Julian has always seemed weak to me.
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Ah, I guess I'm more in your husband's camp - I love big booming names. I was more your style for many years though.
Honestly though I think your styles are not all that different. I am actually surprised that there are only three names you both agree on! I would think it would be easy to find unique, dramatic names you both enjoy. But sometimes taste isn't nearly that simple, I understand.
Thomas seems a bit odd up there with that collection - sorta plain-Jane, not unique or dramatic. But still, those three are really nice together. Actually Ira Thomas Raphael would be a helluva combo! So would Simon Thaddeus Julian.
Ira and Raphael are great names - what is making you unsure about them?
Honestly though I think your styles are not all that different. I am actually surprised that there are only three names you both agree on! I would think it would be easy to find unique, dramatic names you both enjoy. But sometimes taste isn't nearly that simple, I understand.
Thomas seems a bit odd up there with that collection - sorta plain-Jane, not unique or dramatic. But still, those three are really nice together. Actually Ira Thomas Raphael would be a helluva combo! So would Simon Thaddeus Julian.
Ira and Raphael are great names - what is making you unsure about them?
This message was edited 3/14/2011, 7:53 AM
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I tend to get very vivid pictures in my head.
Raphael: A cherubic little boy with blonde curls. Sucks up to adults and kicks other kids when they're not watching.
Ira: An incredibly grumpy guy in his 50s, hoarse voice, smoker.
Thomas is actually the closest to my personal style. And you would think it would be easy to find names that match - but each time I bring up a new name my husband finds something wrong with it. Reuben, Amos & Abel are 'too weird.' Lev & Theron 'would be weird on a white kid.' James 'is too common.' It's incredibly frustrating.
Raphael: A cherubic little boy with blonde curls. Sucks up to adults and kicks other kids when they're not watching.
Ira: An incredibly grumpy guy in his 50s, hoarse voice, smoker.
Thomas is actually the closest to my personal style. And you would think it would be easy to find names that match - but each time I bring up a new name my husband finds something wrong with it. Reuben, Amos & Abel are 'too weird.' Lev & Theron 'would be weird on a white kid.' James 'is too common.' It's incredibly frustrating.
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I just realized something.
I think I'm especially hesitant to use Raphael because it's fairly likely that my son will end up with blue eyes & blonde curls. Just - NO. It's so cliche - the angelic looking kid have a streak of pure evil. And considering that it's also highly likely (given the parents & other relatives) that my kid will turn into a smart-mouthed know-it-all - it might be a bit much of a name.
I think I'm especially hesitant to use Raphael because it's fairly likely that my son will end up with blue eyes & blonde curls. Just - NO. It's so cliche - the angelic looking kid have a streak of pure evil. And considering that it's also highly likely (given the parents & other relatives) that my kid will turn into a smart-mouthed know-it-all - it might be a bit much of a name.
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I knew a Raphael at university; he was tallish, with long dark curly hair and beard, walked with a slight stoop. Gave a scholarly impression. And, apart from a slight tendency to slightly fake modesty, a nice guy. Known as Raphie - RAY fee. Or maybe Ralph would do it for you? Thomas Ralph? Gives it a bit of an edge.
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I adore Raphael, so that would get the nod from me.
Thomas is lovely but very popular.
I'm afraid when I see the name Ira, I just think of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and that ruins it for me. In the same vein, I only ever think of ETA when I see the name Etta, but perhaps that is just how my mind works.
Thomas is lovely but very popular.
I'm afraid when I see the name Ira, I just think of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and that ruins it for me. In the same vein, I only ever think of ETA when I see the name Etta, but perhaps that is just how my mind works.
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Ira I'm not a big fan of tbh. There's just something about it that isn't very appealing to me. Thomas is nice, but a little safe and somewhat common and boring really. Raphael is handsome, I like it. Thaddeus, Julian, Reuben, Lev, Amos, Ezra and Edgar are all great too! Raphael would be my choice out of the three you mentioned though.
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I don't like Ira. No reason really, it just isn't my style and I think it is a little too short for my taste. There is nothing wrong with Thomas, but I don't really like it either. It's too boring for me since I have known tons of them, but it's a perfectly fine name.
Raphael on the other hand ir gorgeus! I love it! And I know someone who have twins named Julian and Raphael.
Of the other names you mentioned I like Simon, Julian, Ambrose and Constantine.
Some suggestions:
Paul
Frederick
Dante
Vincent
Casper
Lucas
Walter
Ellis
Noel
Zeke
Aloysius
Arthur
Barnaby
Efraim / Ephraim
Erasmus
Hadrian
Isidor / Isidore
Ivan
Magnus
Milo
Rufus
Theo / Theodore
Vidar
Zion
Raphael on the other hand ir gorgeus! I love it! And I know someone who have twins named Julian and Raphael.
Of the other names you mentioned I like Simon, Julian, Ambrose and Constantine.
Some suggestions:
Paul
Frederick
Dante
Vincent
Casper
Lucas
Walter
Ellis
Noel
Zeke
Aloysius
Arthur
Barnaby
Efraim / Ephraim
Erasmus
Hadrian
Isidor / Isidore
Ivan
Magnus
Milo
Rufus
Theo / Theodore
Vidar
Zion
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I dunno, there are some names that are just too Hebrew for me to use, just like there are names that are too Irish or too Arabic for me to use, given my heritage. Raphael isn't one, but Ira is (alas - I really like Ira; Ira and Ezra are IMO the only truly masculine-sounding names for guys, that end in -ah sounds). So are Reuben and Lev, too Hebrew for me. They say Jewish to me, and I am not comfy with heritage-loaded names when it's not my heritage. I guess you don't perceive them that way? Maybe I'm out of touch... that wouldn't shock me. So, gimme a clue? Am I the only person who finds Ira and Lev and Reuben distinctively Hebrew?
I don't find Raphael excessively dramatic (especially since he could be Raffy or Raf), nor is it excessively Hebrewy. But Ambrose and Constantine are dramatic, a little bit. Still, I'd enthuse about Constantine because I think the religious allusion is vague enough, and also not too vague if that's what you're going for. The only problem with it is the length. Ambrose is positively fey IMO, I would never want to be called Ambrose if I were a guy. Would X want to be addressed as Ambrose?? ffs. Edgar isn't that dramatic either, but it's unattractive IMO; I can't imagine calling a son Edgar. Those consonants, so clunky to say. Fail on boom boom test (at least for my own generation!). Unless you call him Eddie or Ed.
Simon seems ever so safe, not bad but nms; I think it is very quiet. Thomas is also ever so safe and comfy - very mannish but never overbearing - and even cooler because he could be Tom. Thaddeus seems too yuppie/hipster to me; it's like Atticus. Julian seems safe, but on the fashionable side - I would have seriously considered it, and maybe even named my son it, if he hadn't had a cousin born shortly before him who was named Julian. Amos is archaic and Southern crustified IMO; I think of Famous Amos cookies, lol. Theron is no less dramatic than Ambrose or Constantine, but I still like it - it has more masculine modesty, to me.
So, thumbs up for Ira only if you don't mind the Hebrewness (I'd compare it to the Irishness of Daragh), because Ira just sounds so sharp; and Thomas or Raphael are great too. I know I've mentioned, I know a little boy Raphael who is my son's age, and I think it's not too dramatic at all.
I don't find Raphael excessively dramatic (especially since he could be Raffy or Raf), nor is it excessively Hebrewy. But Ambrose and Constantine are dramatic, a little bit. Still, I'd enthuse about Constantine because I think the religious allusion is vague enough, and also not too vague if that's what you're going for. The only problem with it is the length. Ambrose is positively fey IMO, I would never want to be called Ambrose if I were a guy. Would X want to be addressed as Ambrose?? ffs. Edgar isn't that dramatic either, but it's unattractive IMO; I can't imagine calling a son Edgar. Those consonants, so clunky to say. Fail on boom boom test (at least for my own generation!). Unless you call him Eddie or Ed.
Simon seems ever so safe, not bad but nms; I think it is very quiet. Thomas is also ever so safe and comfy - very mannish but never overbearing - and even cooler because he could be Tom. Thaddeus seems too yuppie/hipster to me; it's like Atticus. Julian seems safe, but on the fashionable side - I would have seriously considered it, and maybe even named my son it, if he hadn't had a cousin born shortly before him who was named Julian. Amos is archaic and Southern crustified IMO; I think of Famous Amos cookies, lol. Theron is no less dramatic than Ambrose or Constantine, but I still like it - it has more masculine modesty, to me.
So, thumbs up for Ira only if you don't mind the Hebrewness (I'd compare it to the Irishness of Daragh), because Ira just sounds so sharp; and Thomas or Raphael are great too. I know I've mentioned, I know a little boy Raphael who is my son's age, and I think it's not too dramatic at all.
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Hebrew names are very much my style.
I'm not Jewish but I am very Baptist - so Old testament names are my style. I don't mind Raphael so much, really - it's just that I wish we could find other names to compromise on. Julian is nms, really - it's whiny to me and too 'new.' I know what you mean about Amos - I still love it. Amos is a book name to me - meaning that I've read enough books that have characters named Amos to love it. Abel is the same to me - it's that 'book connection.'
And yah, ditto for Simon - it's just...eh. I don't know - I'm just not loving any of these names besides Thomas & Amos. I don't hold out for 'the most perfect, God-given name EVAH' but I do want a name that I love - one that I can imagine calling my son for years to come. (And I do admit to loving Raphael - I just get less than positive reactions from my family. The thought of my poor son having to endure Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle jokes from his not-very-mature uncles gives me pause.)
I'm not Jewish but I am very Baptist - so Old testament names are my style. I don't mind Raphael so much, really - it's just that I wish we could find other names to compromise on. Julian is nms, really - it's whiny to me and too 'new.' I know what you mean about Amos - I still love it. Amos is a book name to me - meaning that I've read enough books that have characters named Amos to love it. Abel is the same to me - it's that 'book connection.'
And yah, ditto for Simon - it's just...eh. I don't know - I'm just not loving any of these names besides Thomas & Amos. I don't hold out for 'the most perfect, God-given name EVAH' but I do want a name that I love - one that I can imagine calling my son for years to come. (And I do admit to loving Raphael - I just get less than positive reactions from my family. The thought of my poor son having to endure Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle jokes from his not-very-mature uncles gives me pause.)
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I'm delighted with Thomas and ready to go along with Raphael. Julian isn't bad, but since the only known nn is Julie, I'm not keen on it as a fn. Actually, I also like Constantine! I knew one once who resembled a really dishy Greek statue, but with a broken nose from a sports injury. Known as Con, he could have sold me on any name.
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Let me say how much I adore most of these names:)
Raphael is very handsome and stately, and reminds me of the Renaissance:) Thaddeus, Julian, Edgar and Ambrose are awesome - very aristocratic British to me. We need more Stellan's in this world.
Thomas I find too common and I honestly don't see the appeal. Ditto Simon. Lev, Cnstantine and Ira is feel could only work on certain people / cultures.
Raphael is very handsome and stately, and reminds me of the Renaissance:) Thaddeus, Julian, Edgar and Ambrose are awesome - very aristocratic British to me. We need more Stellan's in this world.
Thomas I find too common and I honestly don't see the appeal. Ditto Simon. Lev, Cnstantine and Ira is feel could only work on certain people / cultures.
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Thomas strikes me as kind of bland, and I've never really care for the sound of it. I also dislike Tom and Tommy.
Raphael is decent.
I really like Ira. It's not overly common, and it strikes me as the name of someone charismatic.
Out of the other names you somewhat agree on, I like Simon and Julian. Thaddeus isn't one I'd use myself, but it's a cool name. Stellan, Lev, Ezra, Theron, and Ambrose are all great names.
Raphael is decent.
I really like Ira. It's not overly common, and it strikes me as the name of someone charismatic.
Out of the other names you somewhat agree on, I like Simon and Julian. Thaddeus isn't one I'd use myself, but it's a cool name. Stellan, Lev, Ezra, Theron, and Ambrose are all great names.
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I really love all three of those names! I would probably lean toward Ira or Raphael, just because Thomas is more common. My favorite might be Raphael, it has a beautiful meaning and seems theatrical without being over-the-top.
I've only met one Raphael ever, a boy a I babysat as a teenager.
I've only met one Raphael ever, a boy a I babysat as a teenager.
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