Title says it all. Do you prefer Nico or Rafael for and English/Spanish bilingual family (who lives somewhere primarily English speaking)? TIA!
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Such a difficult choice! These are both gorgeous options and perfect Spanish-English crossovers. You really can’t go wrong.
Would it bother you if [name_m]Rafael[/name_m] was pronounced raf-eye-el rather than raf-ah-el? [name_f]English[/name_f] speakers do tend to pronounce it the first way, slightly different from the Spanish pronunciation, whereas [name_u]Nico[/name_u] is identical in both languages.
If pronunciation is important to you, I’d lean towards [name_u]Nico[/name_u]. Otherwise, my vote goes to [name_m]Rafael[/name_m]. It’s super handsome, cool, classic, full of energy and very versatile – he could be [name_m]Rafi[/name_m] or [name_u]Rafa[/name_u] or [name_u]Rafe[/name_u] for short, whereas [name_u]Nico[/name_u] gives fewer options.
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I prefer [name_m]Rafael[/name_m] but I think [name_u]Nico[/name_u] would be a good choice as well
[name_m]Rafael[/name_m] is wonderful!!
[name_m]Rafael[/name_m], all the way! Really a beautiful name. Perk of having the sweet nickname Raphie! 
I love [name_u]Nico[/name_u] !
both are lovely, but my vote goes to [name_m]Rafael[/name_m]!
I love both! Personally I’d lean more towards [name_u]Nico[/name_u] because he would stand out as a shiny “new” name in my family. (Who mostly all have classic Spanish names)
With [name_m]Rafael[/name_m] you would have more of a classic feel, with plenty of nickname options though! As mentioned above, he’s pronounced differently in [name_f]English[/name_f] and Spanish, but if that’s not a downside to you I can see why it would be a difficult choice!
You really can’t go wrong, both are so handsome. 
[name_m]Rafael[/name_m] is gorgeous whereas [name_u]Nico[/name_u] has always annoyed me (dumb soap opera character association!).
I’ve always loved [name_m]Rafael[/name_m]. It has an ethereal quality and it reminds me of the archangel and the painter. [name_u]Nico[/name_u] isn’t my favourite and my main association with it is the character [name_u]Niko[/name_u] Bellic in the video game series GTA (but I don’t think kids will know about it).
I agree with a previous poster that one thing to consider is that [name_m]Rafael[/name_m] is pronounced somewhat differently in [name_f]English[/name_f] than in Spanish, if that bothers you. I know some people aren’t bothered by different pronunciations.
I think I’d go for [name_u]Nico[/name_u] because it just sounds so sunny and bright to me. That said, [name_m]Rafael[/name_m] is timelessly handsome!
[name_m]Rafael[/name_m], [name_m]Rafael[/name_m], [name_m]Rafael[/name_m] [name_m]Rafael[/name_m] is such a gorgeous name!
I don’t like [name_u]Nico[/name_u] because every Nico/Niko I’ve ever known was a total a-hole and I’ve known many. Plus I dislike the sound, it’s just kind of rough and bare. Also, nicotine. [name_m]Just[/name_m] not my cup of tea but if you love it, go with it.
i think i would opt for fun and spunky nico 
but both are such lovely choices, you really can’t go wrong!
I would say [name_u]Nico[/name_u], because I think it would have less pronounciation issues unlike rafael
[name_m]Rafael[/name_m]!
where I am [name_u]Nico[/name_u] seems like an insubstantial nickname for someone younger
Both are handsome, but I prefer [name_u]Nico[/name_u].
[name_m]Rafael[/name_m]
Thanks everyone!! Although I’m not sure this has helped me decide! 
[name_m]Rafael[/name_m] is my husband’s favourite and I’ve had [name_u]Nico[/name_u] as my fave boy name for ages. I’m starting to lean toward [name_m]Rafael[/name_m] but it’s hard to let go of an old favourite.
Another consideration is that our last name starts with L (so [name_m]Rafael[/name_m] L. maybe runs together) and ends in o (so maybe rhymes with Nico). Does that make you lean one way or the other??
Would you consider putting Nicholas/Nicolas on the birth certificate and using [name_u]Nico[/name_u] with family and friends to avoid the rhyming in formal situations when the names are said together? I still prefer Raphael/Rafael, and you could use Rapha/Rafa, but both are great names - it would be a shame to not use either because of the surname.
Nico!!!