I really like Caelan but I think the correct form is Caolan? I’m not a big fan of unique spellings but the original Gaelic form might be hard to pronounce/spell? Also, last name is single syllable C, would the initials for Caelan Daniel be a no-no?
Personally I don’t think of [name_m]Caelan[/name_m] as a unique spelling but as an anglicization, which makes it feel like a perfectly “real” spelling to use in an English-speaking place where people would struggle to spell/pronounce the Gaelic original.
I do see the CDC connection with the initials, but I don’t think it’s a bad thing! Obviously it’s been in the news more than usual these past few years but I don’t think anyone will make fun of or judge somebody for having CDC as their initials.
I’d consider [name_m]Caelan[/name_m] anglicization and it does make the pronunciation clearer. [name_m]Caolan[/name_m] can be pronounced key-lun and kay-lun, so it depends which pronunciation you want!
I prefer [name_m]Caolan[/name_m]. [name_m]Caolan[/name_m] Daniel/Caelan [name_u]Daniel[/name_u] is pretty good. I didn’t notice the CDC initials at first glance, not unless you pointed it out. Most people don’t go by their initials so I don’t think it would be a problem.
But yes, if that’s what you’re asking, the CDC initials are only an issue when written that way.
I would only spell it [name_m]Caolán[/name_m] if you intend to pronounce it the Irish way, which is kway-lawn in my experience (though there are probably regional variations). It’s not just a different spelling of [name_m]Caelan[/name_m], it’s a different pronunciation, similar to the difference between “Steven” and “Stefan”.
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caolán is my favorite spelling, i think! it’s tricky at first glance, but it isn’t a hard pronunciation to get, just not intuitive. the CDC initials might get a few comments, but it’s not necessarily a bad connotation.