I think Raffaella is right. Correct me if I'm wrong though.

 

Yahoo search pulls up spellings of Rafaela, Raffaella, Rafaella, etc.

Is there a particular Bella Exquisita who you wish to honor?

 

Her name is Bonnie. This car was won as a raffle. Get it? Raffle... Raffaella.

HOP

 

I think it would be Raffaela, but that depends on whether you're putting emphasis on the first or second syllable. The normal pronunciation of the name would go with the spelling I mentioned. The rule is that if you have a double consonant, it shortens the vowel directly preceding it. Hey, you asked. And yes, I'm Italian and taught foreign languages in grad school. And if I get any rude comments, then I'm going to post the "long" explanation.

 

***rude comments***

 

Dredd,

Thanks, but what's the "normal" pronunskiation for Raffaela.

HOP

 

Raffa-ela. Phonetically it would be a short first "a", almost like the word rough, followed by a short second a at the end of the first syllable (an "uh" sound). The "ela" part has longer vowels, as if you were saying the name Layla without the first "L". Okay, how confusing is that? LOL.

 

I googled "raffaela" and found it as a German name, but also there was a home page for a woman named Raffaela in Roma. When I entered "Raffaella" most of the items were Italian, but one was in Holland. I think I'll go with the double L's. Raffaella it is!

HOP

And thanks to Judge Dredd, now I can pronounce it!

 

Alfa Hopper,

Have you considered the name would Raffletta as a more fitting name? It has the complete "raffle" name and just modifies it to a "little raffle." Certainly in keeping with Alfa Romeo's naming of cars, too!

 

According to my Sicilian born father, Raffaella seems to be most common with the two 'l's. Then you get to extend the last 'l consonnent. It sounds prettier, imho.

 

I noticed while doing some genealogical research today on the Ellis Island site that I came across Raffaela a few times and it only had one el. Not that that's conclusive or anything.

 

The Ellis Island site is unbelieveable..! I like all spellings of that beautiful name.
You're going to laugh, but my wife and I named our first born daughter Giulia. She's an amazing 10 yr old now.

 

sutera ci, both are acceptable, but one "L" is more common, in my findings. it does change the pronunciation, and I like both ways, actually. one "L" puts the emphasis on the first syllable, two "L"s puts it on the ending, which is a bit more "dramatic". and being Sicilian myself, i'm all about the drama. where is your dad from? i was born in Provincia d'Agrigento, in the south. i can't imagine a better reason to name your kid than a car as beautiful as a Giulia. our youngest is named after a song, lol, so i know how you feel. "Cat-scratch-fever" you go clean up your room right now. Just kidding.