Which do you prefer?
I prefer [name_m]Austin[/name_m] to [name_u]Austen[/name_u]. Somehow [name_u]Austen[/name_u] looks a bit weird to me.
I think unless you’re a [name_f]Jane[/name_f] [name_u]Austen[/name_u] fan and wanting to honor the novelist, [name_m]Austin[/name_m]'s probably the way to go, as I feel like it would more commonly be spelled with an I than and E in general. I also think that [name_m]Austin[/name_m] looks more like a given name, whereas [name_u]Austen[/name_u] more a surname (and as I’m not much a fan of surnames as given names, this was worth mentioning).
I agree, for a boy would definitely use [name_m]Austin[/name_m] just because of the [name_f]Jane[/name_f] [name_u]Austen[/name_u] connotation with the ‘e’.
I prefer [name_u]Austen[/name_u]. It looks better to me. [name_m]Austin[/name_m] reminds me of the Disney show [name_m]Austin[/name_m] and [name_f]Ally[/name_f] which annoys the crap out of me.
I prefer [name_m]Austin[/name_m] over [name_u]Austen[/name_u], but either are nice!
I prefer [name_u]Austen[/name_u]. I don’t mind the [name_f]Jane[/name_f] [name_u]Austen[/name_u] connection (in my opinion, just because she’s a woman isn’t the end of the world) but I do immediately think of [name_m]Austin[/name_m] [name_m]Powers[/name_m] with the other spelling, which I do mind.
Also, sorry if I came off as harsh, it just happens to be a name topic (?) I’m quite passionate about.
I prefer [name_u]Austen[/name_u] because of the [name_f]Jane[/name_f] [name_u]Austen[/name_u] connection actually. I do think it’s more gender ambiguous though; I could see it on either a boy or girl, whereas [name_m]Austin[/name_m] is all boy to me.
I prefer [name_m]Austin[/name_m]. [name_u]Austen[/name_u] doesn’t look right to me
[name_u]Austen[/name_u]! It’s my absolute favourite boy’s name! I prefer [name_u]Austen[/name_u] because of [name_f]Jane[/name_f] [name_u]Austen[/name_u], and also because it seems softer to me. I also love that it’s a last name for a first name. [name_m]Austin[/name_m] to me, makes me think of [name_m]Austin[/name_m] [name_m]Powers[/name_m], and [name_m]Austin[/name_m] [name_u]Texas[/name_u]. Plus it looks a bit harsher to me. It’s weird that I adore [name_u]Austen[/name_u], but am not really a fan of [name_m]Austin[/name_m] at all.
Also, I think that the [name_f]Jane[/name_f] [name_u]Austen[/name_u] reference does NOT make it seem more feminine; so many of my male friends, my husband included, are big [name_f]Jane[/name_f] [name_u]Austen[/name_u] fans. Her male characters have amazing qualities; humble, kind, loyal, caring… Everything that you would want a son to possess. Well, that’s how I see it anyway 
I don’t mind either, but I’ll give the edge to [name_m]Austin[/name_m].
I think either is nice. To me they are pronounced a bit differently: Aus-tin, Aus-ten. They are very similar yes, but they aren’t exactly pronounced the same way. Though the difference is hard to hear.
I personally am all for [name_u]Austen[/name_u] as a spelling though the [name_m]Austin[/name_m] is a bit more common.
I like [name_m]Austin[/name_m] better for a boy, and [name_u]Austen[/name_u] for a girl.
I think [name_m]Austin[/name_m]. [name_u]Austen[/name_u] seems more feminine.