Ruben or Rafael

[Layl77]

I like Ruben but know Reuben is quite popular. Rafael less so and Rafi a cute nickname, what do you think? Surname C ends in -os of Spanish heritage. Any suggestions welcome, don't have to be Spanish!

Ruben is on my list, not so keen on Rafael.

I love Rafael- strong, solid sounding name :-)

I've got a rafael....he's Rafa ... We love it...

I love Rafael!

Ruben is ok, I don't hate it but don't love it either.

I love both names.

One of mine was nearly a Rafael, when I told him this he loved it and now every story he writes the protagonists is always Rafael. So your son will thank you!

I love Rafael, not really keen on Ruben.

I like both, but there do seem to be quite a lot of Rubens (or other spellings of the same) about. Rafael is still more unusual. It's on my list - spelt the way you are spelling it, not Raphael, which I think is the English version although could be wrong.

Love Rafael.

Ruben is a bit blah.

Rafael.

Rafael - Ruben looks misspelled to me vs Reuben

I've always liked Reuben. It's quite popular now. I'd go for Rafael. Raff and Raffy are cute nicknames. I can only think of 'Ru' as a good shorty for Reuben.

Rafael

Ruben-it's on my list.

Rafael always makes me think of Benitez or Nadal (not that that's a bad thing!

Rafe

Ruben just looks mispelled to my eyes. I prefer Reuben with the classical spelling.
Rafael is not to my taste, and it cetainly wouldn't suit our surname, but if I had a Spanish surname I think it would be more acceptable.