Being brave...

[girlsteve.livejournal.com]

Okay, I'm going to ask for honest opinions here, even though I'm not sure I'm going to like what I hear, but what do you think of the name Raphael for a girl?

My reason for asking is that it has for a long time been my favourite boys name, although I was always a little dubious about using it for a number of reasons... Then, I mention it to the significant other, and he says that it's too feminine for a boys name, but that he quite likes it for a girl.

I'm somewhat torn here, because now he's said that, I can't get it out of my head. I think it probably is a bit feminine sounding to me, and the more I get used to it the more I like it. On top of this, I grew up with a boys name, I'm Steve and I'm a girl. On the one hand, it was kind of difficult and still provides me with some difficult situations. On the other, for a great many reasons I've grown to really like it, I'm never stuck for a conversation starter and people always remember me...and Raphael isn't quite as Mannish as Steve....but then, I thought Raphael was too out there for a boy...

Anyway, all opinions welcome. Not just Yes or No, but any reasons or associations. I'm not pregnant or anything yet, but my list grows ever shorter and I need to be careful about what gets left in...