I used to think it seemed kind of dark and awkward, and didn't really find the attraction of it until I saw it on a real guy. He was middle-aged, hippie-ish, and worked at Panera Bread. So I can now see it as a really earthy sort of name, and it's much more pleasant.
I do think it might get misheard as
Christian, but that's not a big concern. My name is
Shannon and I've always got the occasional What?
Shawna?
Sharon?
Janet? I think it can happen with lots of names.
I don't think
Crispin will be a
Chris unless you call him that. I've found that people will call your child whatever you do, or will ask if you use a nickname if you give them a longer name. I can see
Crispin getting called Crispy in teasing though (whether negative or endearing teasing).