Which name do you guys prefer, [name_m]Callen[/name_m] or [name_m]Kellan[/name_m]? Trying to update my boy’s list and I like both but would love to get some other opinions. Middle name suggestions would also be welcome 
(just collecting) xo
[name_m]Callan[/name_m] = earthy, sturdy and classic with a slightly rugged edge. It’s rooted in Scottish Gaelic (from [name_m]Cathal[/name_m]) meaning “battle-ground” or “rock”, in Scandinavian contexts, it can also refer to “flowing water”. It leads seamlessly into the timeless nickname [name_m]Cal[/name_m].
- [name_m]Callan[/name_m] [name_m]Reid[/name_m]
- [name_m]Callan[/name_m] [name_m]Everett[/name_m]
- [name_m]Callan[/name_m] [name_m]Douglas[/name_m]
- [name_m]Callan[/name_m] [name_m]Grant[/name_m]
- [name_m]Callan[/name_m] [name_m]Dean[/name_m]
- [name_m]Callan[/name_m] [name_m]Joseph[/name_m]
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[name_m]Kellan[/name_m] = more modern, energetic, and sleek. It’s derived from the [name_m]Irish[/name_m] name Ceallachán or [name_m]Caoilte[/name_m], associated with “slender” or “descendant of the bright-headed one.” [name_m]The[/name_m] nickname [name_m]Kelly[/name_m] or [name_m]Kell[/name_m] are the obvious choice of nicknames.
- [name_m]Kellan[/name_m] [name_m]Hayes[/name_m]
- [name_m]Kellan[/name_m] [name_m]Rory[/name_m]
- [name_m]Kellan[/name_m] [name_m]Alexander[/name_m]
- [name_m]Kellan[/name_m] [name_m]Flynn[/name_m]
- [name_m]Kellan[/name_m] [name_m]Christopher[/name_m]
- [name_m]Kellan[/name_m] [name_m]Fox[/name_m]
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[name_m]Callan[/name_m] relies on the open short A sound ([name_m]Cal[/name_m]), whereas [name_m]Kellan[/name_m] leans on the crisp short E sound ([name_m]Kel[/name_m]). [name_m]Callan[/name_m] is occasionally misheard as [name_m]Callum[/name_m] or [name_m]Callahan[/name_m], two very popular boy names right now - which don’t seem to be halting in their meteoric rise any time soon - while [name_m]Kellan[/name_m] can sometimes be confused with [name_m]Kevin[/name_m] or [name_m]Kieran[/name_m], less common names nowadays which could be a plus. I guess it just depends on which one you prefer when thinking about that.
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Personally, I love both. I think [name_m]Callan[/name_m] is sweet, I picture a cuddly little boy but with [name_m]Kellan[/name_m], I think effortlessly cool and I picture a little daredevil.
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I like [name_m]Callan[/name_m]. To me it’s softer and kinder vibes. Then handsome and nice once he grows older.
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I prefer [name_m]Callen[/name_m], which I really like!
@atomicginge thank you so much for such a beautifully detailed response. I totally agree with the way you’ve described both names!! I love the earthy and gentle vibe of [name_m]Callen[/name_m] and the energy and spritely feel of [name_m]Kellan[/name_m]. Really love the suggestions of [name_m]Callen[/name_m] [name_m]Dean[/name_m], [name_m]Callen[/name_m] [name_m]Reid[/name_m], [name_m]Kellan[/name_m] [name_m]Rory[/name_m] and [name_m]Kellan[/name_m] [name_m]Fox[/name_m]!
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Thank you both so much - i’m really loving it lately too it definitely has a soft and gentle feel
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Ironically, I’ve preferred the endings of the names reversed: I prefer [name_m]Callan[/name_m] and [name_m]Kellen[/name_m] over [name_m]Callen[/name_m] and [name_m]Kellan[/name_m], but overall I like [name_m]Kellan[/name_m]. I like middles ending in R for these two names.
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Is it annoying to say [name_m]Callan[/name_m] 
Otherwise, [name_m]Kellan[/name_m] – [name_m]Callen[/name_m] reminds me a bit of ‘calling’?
[name_m]Kellan[/name_m] [name_m]Aurelius[/name_m]
[name_m]Kellan[/name_m] [name_m]Adair[/name_m]
[name_m]Kellan[/name_m] [name_m]Micah[/name_m]
[name_m]Kellan[/name_m] [name_m]Misha[/name_m]
[name_m]Kellan[/name_m] [name_f]Indigo[/name_f]
[name_m]Kellan[/name_m] [name_m]Amadeus[/name_m]
[name_m]Kellan[/name_m] [name_m]Amadeus[/name_m]
[name_m]Kellan[/name_m] [name_m]Cyrus[/name_m]
[name_m]Kellan[/name_m] [name_m]Percy[/name_m]
[name_m]Kellan[/name_m] [name_m]Mars[/name_m]
[name_m]Kellan[/name_m] [name_m]Marius[/name_m]
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I prefer [name_m]Callen[/name_m].
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I prefer [name_m]Callen[/name_m], and [name_m]Callan[/name_m] even more
This is a tough call! I’m leaning towards [name_m]Callen[/name_m] because I love the nickname [name_m]Cal[/name_m], but [name_m]Kellan[/name_m] is so handsome as well (and wouldn’t [name_m]Kells[/name_m] be a cool nickname?)
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Combo ideas…
[name_m]Callen[/name_m] [name_m]George[/name_m]
[name_m]Callen[/name_m] [name_m]Isaiah[/name_m]
[name_m]Callen[/name_m] [name_f]Mackenzie[/name_f]
[name_m]Callen[/name_m] [name_m]Frederick[/name_m]
[name_m]Callen[/name_m] [name_m]Théo[/name_m]
[name_m]Callen[/name_m] [name_m]Amias[/name_m]
[name_m]Kellan[/name_m] [name_m]Fenix[/name_m]
[name_m]Kellan[/name_m] [name_m]David[/name_m]
[name_m]Kellan[/name_m] [name_m]Joel[/name_m]
[name_m]Kellan[/name_m] [name_f]Wish[/name_f]
[name_m]Kellan[/name_m] [name_m]Phineas[/name_m]
[name_m]Kellan[/name_m] [name_m]Rhys[/name_m]
@CherryBomb50 I’m starting to prefer the [name_m]Callan[/name_m] spelling now too!! [name_m]Kellen[/name_m] is really nice as well. Thank you so much xo
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@Greyblue [name_m]Not[/name_m] at all!! I’m starting to prefer the [name_m]Callan[/name_m] spelling as well after seeing these responses it looks better haha. I love [name_m]Kellan[/name_m] [name_m]Micah[/name_m], [name_m]Kellan[/name_m] [name_m]Amadeus[/name_m] and [name_m]Kellan[/name_m] [name_m]Percy[/name_m] thanks so much!
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@somemelodioussonnet thank you!!
@KayHarlow i’m really liking [name_m]Callan[/name_m] now thank you!!
Its a tricky choice isn’t it!! I love [name_m]Cal[/name_m] too it feels so handsome and gentle.
Absolutely agree with this, so cool! x
Really loving [name_m]Callen[/name_m] [name_m]Frederick[/name_m], [name_m]Kellan[/name_m] [name_m]Fenix[/name_m] and [name_m]Kellan[/name_m] Joel!! Thanks so much xoxo
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I like [name_m]Callen[/name_m] but prefer the [name_m]Callan[/name_m] spelling
A good friend of mine has a [name_m]Callan[/name_m], I think it wears super well.
I prefer the look and sound of [name_m]Kellan[/name_m].
[name_m]Kellan[/name_m] [name_m]Elias[/name_m]
[name_m]Kellan[/name_m] [name_m]Jasper[/name_m]
[name_m]Kellan[/name_m] [name_m]Otto[/name_m]
[name_m]Kellan[/name_m] [name_m]Rupert[/name_m]
[name_m]Kellan[/name_m] [name_m]Timothy[/name_m]
[name_m]Kellan[/name_m] [name_m]Vincent[/name_m]
I love [name_m]Callan[/name_m]! I slightly prefer [name_m]Calder[/name_m] but [name_m]Callan[/name_m] is delightful too. He easily gets my vote 