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!!

Sebastian by a long, long shot!

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

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.

Either Sebastian or Alistair.
Never been a fan of Reuben

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)

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

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

Sebastian

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!

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?

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

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...

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 .

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

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.

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

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

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