I have trialled calling him [name_m]Nico[/name_m] and it does feel more comfortable as I also like short names and my problem with [name_m]Raphael[/name_m] was that I liked the long form but not the short names, and it’s all about short names / nicknames here.
[name_f][/name_f]I also think [name_m]Max[/name_m] & [name_m]Nico[/name_m] share a certain cool factor and match, BUT what’s holding me back is that I think [name_m]Max[/name_m] is undeniably timeless whereas I feel like [name_m]Nico[/name_m] is much more of a nickname … 
[name_f][/name_f] it would help if it was up in the charts like [name_m]Leo[/name_m] / [name_m]Theo[/name_m], but I’m worried about it seeming like I guess, a cheap name choice if that makes sense. Whereas [name_m]Max[/name_m] is so strong and timeless. [name_m]Raphael[/name_m] is more timeless in that it’s the oldest name in history just about !! But a long name is just not sitting well.