Sebastian or Reuben?

[Madamepeanut]

Which do you prefer? Which one will stand the test of time? Much more concerned that a name is classic and not too worried about popularity.
Middle name will probably be John and surname short and boring beginning with w.

Any suggestion along the same theme welcome - I also like Theodore but dh doesn't and like Alistair but not Ali or al which it'd probably be shortened to.

Boys names are hard to choose!!

[EskimoPie]

Sebastian by a long, long shot!

Reuben sounds very religious to me - which may or may not suit!

[CheshireDing]

I have heard Reuben a few times recently. Out of interest isn't it a Jewish name?

Really like both though so sorry not much help here

Like Theodore too, I would have Teddy as a nn, don't really care for Alistair.

[mynameis]

Either Sebastian or Alistair.
Never been a fan of Reuben

[GodisaDj]

I love Reuben, it was my one of my boys' name on my list but we had a dd so not used.

I liked Sabastian but dp didn't.

What about Rowan? (I loved that too)

[Madamepeanut]

Had never thought of Reuben as particularly religious even though it's a good old biblical name. That doesn't particularly out me off. We probably do prefer Sebastian but worry it'll date maybe like Michelle? Not that I dislike Michelle was just a name that popped into my mind!
Teddy as a nickname wouldn't work with our surname unfortunately sounds ridiculous

[yousankmybattleship]

Lovely names! I like both but would probably plump for Sebastien. Theodore is beautiful. I don't like Alisatair i'm afraid.

[FilterCoffee]

Sebastian

[5madthings]

well i have a Theodore and Reuben is the middle name of one of my other boys, they are both lovely boys.

i know two sebastians, both get shortened to Seb, which you may or may not like.

incidentally my dp is alastair and it doesnt get shortened!

[evamummy]

Sebastian seems to be becoming quite trendy. About five years ago I didn't know a single one and it was generally regarded as quite 'posh'. Now I know four Sebastians under the age of 5! I personally don't like the shortening of Seb either (reminds me of sebacious/oily).

I like Reuben very much (yes, perhaps it sounds a little Jewish) or how about Quentin or Tristan - both lovely underused classics?

[evamummy]

I also like Alistair very much - that seems very classic and quite underused these days too.

[NinthWave]

This OP has made me laugh as this was exactly my dilemma when DS2 was born!

I was desperate to use Sebastian as I love the name, but somehow couldnt' imagine it applied to my 10lb6oz dark-haired newborn - so Reuben it was. It suits him so well, and we get frequent compliments.

He does get called Ruby by confused people sometimes...

[rachel234]

I think Reuben is more timeless than Sebastian. I know a lot of little Sebs and agree it has become quite 'fashionable'. While I like the sound of Sebastian I really dislike Seb or Sebbie (sounds so soft and un-masculine imo).

How about using John as first name - that's classic .

[newmummy4]

My ds middle name is Reuben and we have only ever had lovely things said about his name. :)

[pchick]

Has Seb Coe increased the popularity of Sebastien. I prefer Reuben, but that coud be because of a boy I didn't like called Sebastien at school.

[Madamepeanut]

No consensus, which in some ways reassures me that neither is ridiculous (i wait to be corrected by someone!)
John is dh's name so be too confusing as a first name and also a close friend recently named her ds John

[anglonubian]

Reuben! It's my DS2's name and he's the only one we know of. Sebastian's ok but is a bit serious.

[squoosh]

Sebastian is far, far nicer than Reuben. I don't understand Reuben's popularity at all.