See the results of this poll: Which name do you prefer?
Respondents: 57 (This poll is closed)
- Zara : 28 (49%)
- Raphaela: 29 (51%)
I love the streamlined, cosmopolitan elegance of [name_f]Zara[/name_f]. I slightly prefer the [name_f]Rafaela[/name_f] spelling.
Two of my very favourites! I really, really struggled to pick between them, but in the end I had to choose [name_f]Raphaela[/name_f]. It’s such a magnificent, strong, striking, fluid, romantic name — and so incredibly underused!
I absolutely [name_u]LOVE[/name_u] [name_f]Zara[/name_f] [name_f]Raphaela[/name_f] as a first + middle combo, though, if you decided to go down the non-family route. In fact, if Zarine is a family name for you, then I feel like [name_f]Zara[/name_f] in the first-name slot is close enough to work as a pretty clear honour name, if you’re open to using a variant.
Another thought: if you’re planning on more children in the future, perhaps [name_f]Zara[/name_f] for this one and then [name_f]Raphaela[/name_f] OR [name_m]Raphael[/name_m] for the next, depending on the sex? I’m not sure how you feel about [name_m]Raphael[/name_m] or if you have any other favourites in mind for a boy, but to me [name_m]Raphael[/name_m] shares all the appealing characteristics of [name_f]Raphaela[/name_f] and would make a beautiful brother name for [name_f]Zara[/name_f].
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Thank you for all of the suggestions! Using [name_f]Zara[/name_f] would be very close to Zarine, so I figure that if we chose [name_f]Zara[/name_f] as a first, we would choose a different middle name for future second daughter 
We’ve discussed the possibility of using the name [name_m]Raphael[/name_m] for a boy… my husband loves it for a boy too, but I am just so in love with it for a girl! I agree with you, however, about how the name is so romantic… I just love it!
I really like [name_f]Raphaela[/name_f] better. [name_f]Zara[/name_f] is cute, but [name_f]Raphaela[/name_f] just has that special extra something to it. I think [name_f]Raphaela[/name_f] Zarine would be beautiful 
[name_f]Raphaela[/name_f]!
I find [name_f]Zara[/name_f] very pretty but it has nothing on [name_f]Raphaela[/name_f], which is such a perfect combination of ethereal and fun and historic. Known and unusual. [name_f]Zara[/name_f] is comfy and solid but lacks something in comparison. It’s pretty common in the UK so maybe that’s why I’m a little distanced from it. They’re both great but I have a clear favourite.
I think they’re both great options, but [name_f]Raphaela[/name_f] just has that extra something … I love it! [name_m]Way[/name_m] underused imo. I’d use it if my surname didn’t clash.
My vote goes to [name_f]Zara[/name_f] [name_f]Catherine[/name_f], I just prefer that combo over [name_f]Raphaela[/name_f] Zarine. I know its a family name for you but I’m not fond of Zarine 
Its near impossible to choose between [name_f]Zara[/name_f] and [name_f]Raphaela[/name_f] as first names, though- I would love to be called either one! Both are beautiful, can’t go wrong.
Can’t decide! To me, [name_f]Zara[/name_f] is elegant and confident, [name_f]Raphaela[/name_f] is intriguing and fun. Can’t lose!
[name_f]Zara[/name_f] is definitely my favourite
Wow, incredible tastes. For me, [name_f]Raphaela[/name_f]. I do like [name_f]Zara[/name_f], but [name_f]Raphaela[/name_f] just has such special feel to it- and coming from someone that doesn’t go for frilly names in general.
My pick is [name_f]Raphaela[/name_f] - never understood [name_f]Zara[/name_f] appeal
[name_f]Raphaela[/name_f] is beautiful but I can’t say I like [name_f]Zara[/name_f].