My husband and I are thinking of naming our baby boy Raphael.
We love the nickname Raffi and the hebrew roots.
However, my mother in law says can you imagine a kid having to go to school with that name…
And others have said like the ninja turtle.
I just want to get others advice. Also we like the name Asher but feel like it is growing too fast in popularity.
Thoughts/ opinions are welcome!
[name_m]Raphael[/name_m] is classic enough that I can’t see it being a problem. If you have Alfreds nicknamed [name_u]Alfie[/name_u], why can’t you have Raphaels nicknamed [name_m]Raffi[/name_m]?
Not in the UK, but [name_m]Raphael[/name_m] nn [name_m]Raffi[/name_m] is a fantastic name! I actually see it as a fairly normal name (& it ranks higher where you are than where I am), so I’m surprised you’ve gotten the reactions you have. I genuinely see no negatives.
This is our top pick for our third boy, arriving later this year. It’s beautiful!
[name_m]Raphael[/name_m] is a great name! It’s a wonderful choice. I love that it is an international name. [name_m]Raphael[/name_m] sounds elegant, but also energetic and fun. If you love it, use it!
I love love [name_m]Raphael[/name_m] and that’s unusual for me because I like more daring names.
It’s established enough that people won’t necessarily think of TMNT first, even so, it’s not a negative association.
I’m completely baffled by the responses you’ve gotten.
I like [name_m]Raphael[/name_m]! I know a little [name_m]Raphael[/name_m] – and by little, I mean he’s ten, but I remember when he was born thinking what a cool, unique name! I’d love to hear it more often. 
I love the name [name_m]Raphael[/name_m] and am surprised by the responses you’ve gotten! I come across little Raphaels here (Australia) not too irregularly and it’s my nephew’s name. We call him Raf/Rafi and others I’ve met are either [name_m]Raf[/name_m], Rafi/Raffi or [name_u]Rafa[/name_u]. They’re such cute nicknames! [name_u]Asher[/name_u] is a lovely name too so you can’t go wrong but I do really love [name_m]Raphael[/name_m] - it’s such a romantic name!
I don’t think you would have any problem with a little [name_m]Raphael[/name_m] at school. I would be glad to see one!
[name_u]Love[/name_u] it! It’s beautiful and strong and a cool classic with a great history.
I am in the UK as well and there are two Raphaels at my daughter’s small village school: one called [name_m]Raffy[/name_m], one called [name_m]Raff[/name_m] or just [name_m]Raphael[/name_m]. I’ve never heard anyone, adult or child, say a bad word about the name — it’s great!
[name_u]Asher[/name_u] is also lovely and I’ve never met one. The only person I know with this name is my 20-year-old BIL, who has it as one of his middles after the character [name_u]Asher[/name_u] [name_m]Lev[/name_m].
I love [name_m]Raphael[/name_m]! It’s not uncommon here in Aus. We also have friends who spell it the [name_m]Rafael[/name_m] way. [name_f]My[/name_f] daughter has a [name_m]Raffi[/name_m] in her daycare (Raphael) and our friends’ child goes by [name_u]Rafa[/name_u] (Rafael). Great name.
I really like [name_m]Raphael[/name_m]. It reminds me of the artist - the cartoon didn’t even cross my mind. I live in the UK and I’m not sure why you get negative reactions. Perhaps it’s a generational thing with your MIL. I know with some of my older relatives that, unless the name was popular several decades ago, then it’s a “weird” name.
Ignore the MIL if you love it. I hear older generations in our extended family- especially on the DH’s side- go on about babies being given “babyish” (aka nickname style) names but little do they know if we have a ds he will be getting one of those dreaded names 
We love it and we know it’s perfectly in keeping with the general style of baby names these days (a quick glance at the top100 lists for UK/Aus/NZ/USA/Canada etc will tell you that).
It’s most likely just a generational difference in taste of names
I really like [name_m]Raphael[/name_m]! I can imagine it working in the UK - especially with the nickname [name_m]Raffi[/name_m]! I’ve met one actually and it worked fine
Also in the UK and this is a completely normal name here, nobody would think anything of it at all (I mean in a ‘what a crazy weird name’ way)
For what it’s worth, I like it and love the nn Raff/Raffi, very cute.
I think Raphael is adorable! You should go for it! Raffi is also a really cute nickname! And Raphael would also be cool on a teenager or adult!
Another UK [name_u]Berry[/name_u] here who knows a [name_m]Raphael[/name_m], nn Raphy. It is a great name! I never heard of any problems with his name.
[name_m]Raphael[/name_m] is nice and handsome. I didn’t think of TMNT until you mentioned it but the association is definitely there.
I adore [name_m]Raphael[/name_m] so much and I definitely think it’s useable!!