Gabriel or Ruben?

[SanFranciscoMum]

We’re struggling to decide between Gabriel and Ruben.

Gabriel is nice but longer with three syllables, don’t like the nickname “Gabe”.

Ruben is nice but doesn’t seem as classic as Gabriel.

We are looking for Latin names that are easy to say in English. Suggestions welcome!

I have a Gabriel and at 17 it's never been shortened.

Ruben but spelt the usual way.. Reuben. It looks much nicer imo but obviously it's upto you!

I agree thay Gabriel is name but also dislike Gabe!

Personally Gabriel is a bit plain and weak sounding to me. However that's my own personal taste. I think Gabriel is a good name because it's known but not too popular and it's easy to say/spell. It also will work for a baby, child then into adulthood. I think some people would shorten it to Gabe... I certainly would!

Ruben is nice, but I'd spell it Rueben or you and the child will constantly have to correct the spelling of it to people.

Wow...Reuben is how I'd spell it... must have baby brain, as I def wouldn't spell it Rueben, as I did in my last post!
Blaming that on baby brain!

They're both nice but I slightly prefer Reuben.

Felix
Leo
Rufus
Corin
Maxim
Anton
Anthony
Marcus
Clement
Vincent
Lucas
Alban
Julian
Francis
Benedict
Miles
Cassius
Paul
Lucien
Emil
Victor
Rex
Martin
Dominic
Maurice
Oliver
Patrick
Selwyn

My boy would be Gabriel. Not that I'm planning to have any more, mind.
However if you don't like Gabe. I'd go with Reuben, for the simple reason. You may not like it but he might. You can only control the full title thing for so long. Do you like Roo or Ben though as that's what Reuben could become.

Reuben, but spelt that way unless you’re of Hispanic heritage (in which case, use the accent so that it doesn’t look like a spelling mistake).

I like Ruben.

I prefer Gabriel by miles. If you're going for Reuben, spell it like that, not Ruben, which just looks odd.

If you're after an 'angel' name how about Raphael?

I slightly prefer Reuben to Gabriel.
Both good names though OP.

Both nice, but Reuben is my favourite.

Thanks everyone. What are your thoughts on how these name pair with the surname ‘Melendez’?

Gabriel Melendez
Ruben Melendez

Thank you!!

I think they both sound nice with your surname. Both are lovely names so I can see you are struggling to decide! I prefer Gabriel, but only just!

I like Gabriel best.

Other suggestions

Julian
Fabian
Martin
Peter
Marcus
Maximilian
Paul
Benedict
Francis
Hugo
Louis
Lucas
Daniel

Reuben.

Both really lovely names but gabriel for me

Reuben - great name!