Boy name

[Baffledma]

So after going in circles with the names I decided to ask for help (again) my final names are :

Sebastian
Maximilian
Theodore
Raphael

middle name will be Elias. What fits best?

Raphael

All bar Maximilian, feels like too many syllables. Love all those names though.

Sorry forgot to say, if I had to lock one I think Sebastian Elias sounds best.

Theodore Elias followed by Raphael Elias

Sebastian Elias is my favourite
Theodore Elias would be 2nd choice

Not keen on the other two names but I love the name Sebastian.

Another vote for this

All good names!

My vote is for Theodore Elias.

Depends on the surname, but I don't like Theodore or Raphael at all.
Sebastian is OK.
Maximilian is by far the best.

They'll be Max, Seb, Theo or Raph Surname.

Not keen on Elias but it's a middle name.

Voting Raphael

I like all of your name choices. My order of preference would be

1. Maximilian
2. Sebastian
3. Theodore
4. Raphael

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.

Maximilian. Because it has a great meaning and boys also seem to think the nn Max is very cool (seems to be used in lots of kids books and films). Only negative I can see to the name is that few people will bother with the full version, it’ll likely get shortened to Max from day 1 (or maybe Maxim if you insist), so you’d have to be happy with that.

Sebastian has the usual nn Seb which isn’t very nice imo, Theodore is very trendy now and may date more than your other picks and Raphael may have spelling issues (Rafael) - but it would probably be my second choice.

Are you in the UK OP? 3 (or more) syllable names, especially for boys, are nearly always shortened by their friends imo. So you have to be prepared for Max, Seb, Theo and Raf - so I wouldn’t use a name you don’t like the most common shortening of.

Theodore elias

Sebastian is a fabulous name and goes well with your surname. Seb Gilbert is also great if he chooses that later. Don’t like Theodore (or Theo) and Maximillius sounds daft, nobody would every call him that and the poor lad would have to learn to spell it 🤣🤣

Raphael Elias has a lot of Ls running together.

I like Maximilian, with Theodore in second place.

Sebastian sounds harsh to my ear.

Sebastian

Such a cool name.

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🤣)

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 🤣

😂😂 very funny comments but helpful..

Some comments:

Yes we are in the UK.
I don’t mind the spelling, they learn eventually
I would prefer masculine name indeed,
and
I know parents who have an Elizabeth for example and call the full name and it sounds beautiful. Not that I’m going to insist on the full name but is it weird if I call him Theodore ?

I like Maximilian best, followed by Sebastian

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 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🤷🏻‍♀️)

Maximilian Elias is the sweetest to me.

I also love ..
Max Raphael Gilbert

Sebastian Elias.

Two of my very favourite boys names.