Boy name

Theodore

You're choosing between Max, Theo, Seb and Raph - so I'd choose based on the shortened version you like.

I'd say Max.

Theo is okay.

Not keen on Seb or Raph.

-el El-

Raphael Elias is my favourite

It's still long.

It rolls off the tongue more easily.

I don’t think Elias will definitely get shortened op: it’s already pretty compact.
It's three syllables, like Theodore, Sebastian and Raphael.

Elias might get shortened - but the one I know doesn’t. It’s only a 5 letter name after all. I also don’t know any Raphael’s personally so maybe Raf isn’t a given, either.

But I really think that Max, and Theo or Ted are inevitable (partly because they are popular names in their own right too) and both the Sebastian’s I know have been shortened as well- one to Seb and one to Bash (parents choice!)

I don’t think Elias will definitely get shortened op: it’s already pretty compact.

And I think your other names all work really well as middle names with it. I had mentioned above about Theodore and Maximilian sounding more masculine than Raphael or Sebastian but I don’t think that is a concern with middle names. Elias is a good strong name. Elias Raphael, Elias Theodore, Elias Maximilian, Elias Sebastian: all sound good!

How about... Theo. 😁Sorry. I'm being silly. But if you're willing to go with a short, international name, you may as well be willing to go with the diminutives of the names you like; Theo, Raffa.
Elias, I've never heard shortened, in all honesty.

My youngest is Alec. His name has never been shortened outside of home. We call him Al or Alzy at home, but outside the home, he's always Alec.

Other suggestions: Axel, Rex, Otis, Milo

@Baffledma "Surname sounds a bit like Gilbert. If I go with Theodore I’d like to keep the whole name not sure how feasible that is and if I sound cringe at the playground."

You have to like all possible shortenings. You can't stop them being used, honestly. The football coach isn't going to yell "Theodore-mark number 9!!!"

I know a few Eliases. It's not unusual. It'll get shortened.

Just a thought Op: if you’re not keen on shortened versions, how about Elias then one of the others as a middle name? I think it will probably be more unusual too , as the others have been used quite a bit lately. I know several of each ( though one of the Raphaels would be mid 49’s now). But I don’t know an Elias …

I prefer Sebastian as a full name, but Max or Theo as a shortening- don't like Seb/Sebby at all (though love Bas/Bastian!)

There's a Theodore in dds nursery who goes by full name, never shortened by staff/friends. Suspect that might change once he gets into school though.

I have a 22 year old Theodor (German spelling- not trying to be unique by dropping the E) . I just want to let you know that yours will very likely become a Theo. It's just how it goes. I'd feel very formal if I'd continued calling my son Theodor.
I also love Raphael. Raffa is such a sweet diminutive.
Theo and Raffa... both are good.
And Elias was my grandfather's name so... I love your names.

Sebastian Elias.

Two of my very favourite boys names.

Maximilian Elias is the sweetest to me.

I also love ..
Max Raphael Gilbert

I don’t think it’s weird for you to call him Theodore.

I think it’s awkward to insist on others calling him that - and you will have to pull them up if you don’t want people to shorten it.

Personally, I’d adopt the shortened version you prefer ( I much prefer Teddy) because otherwise it will happen organically without your input. I do think this is the best choice of those names.

Maximilian always sounds a bit like an American commodities magnate to me ( though, as above, these are probably associations peculiar to me.) (That said, “Makes-a-million🤷🏻‍♀️)

Not that I’m going to insist on the full name but is it weird if I call him Theodore ?
No, but he probably won't be Theodore to many others.
Theodore, Theo and Teddy are all very popular.

I know people who were Christopher, Daniel, Alexander, Benjamin etc as children but they are Chris, Dan, Alex or Ben to most people.

I thoroughly dislike the name Theodore so I am biased. I also think of 'Language, Timothy!' when parents insist on the long version.

I like Maximilian best, followed by Sebastian

No such name as Maximillius as far as I know. I assume you are confusing Maximilian (made famous by the Emperor but well used since) with the Ancient Roman name Maximus (rarely used in modern times until the film Gladiator came out).

I agree that longer names are obviously going to be harder for kids to learn to spell - but by that logic OP shouldn’t go for Sebastian either as it’s only 1 letter less and should just stick with Max, Seb, Theo or Raf 🤣

Yes I thought that about the “l” sound.

I like Theodore but maybe don’t use Theodore if you don’t like Theo ( I don’t either actually): it is a bit OTT to insist on the full name. But how about about Teddy?

Maximillian and Theodore sound the most masculine; I find Raphael snd Sebastian are both a bit sappy ( if that bothers you). If I’m totally honest Raphael sounds like a European male prostitute to me : I don’t know why it just always makes me think that. ( Probably because I did know one who was a bit of a toy boy🤣)

Sebastian

Such a cool name.