Lysander

i think its a great name shows u have an imagination

MrsDeVere, did you have to name DC5 Fido?

I love Lysander and Solomon. Not at all keen on those Hugo/William/Alexander type names.

How about Dashiell?

I love the name Lysander. It's definitely on our list if we have a boy. Xander for short.

Personally I find it much less poncy than "Rupert" or "Atticus" or whatever new trend for Ancient greek heroes/constellations, etc!

MrsJoe - there is indeed. She has a Lysander and a Lucian.

If you like long names how about

Mathias/Matthew
Nathaniel nn Nate
Emmanuel
Maximilian nn Max
Zacharias/Zachary nn Zac
Alessandro nn Sandy
Dominic nn Dom or Nick
Anthony nn Ant or Tony
Demetrius

I love the name Sheba but have been told it's far too cat related. Doesn't stop Felix though! Pah.

We might draw a comparison with Elizabeth, which is so familiar that one overlooks that it is one of those strange clunky Old Testament names like Hephzibah, Bathsheba, Kerenhappuch. Would it have been so perennially popular if it had not infiltrated the British royal family?

Reuset I think we're both saying much the same from slightly different perspectives. It is interesting, however, that other 'hero' names - Horatio, Hercules, Achilles etc as well as Lysander - have not caught on in the UK. Perhaps it's the sound/shortenings, as you say.

As well as Alexander, another hero name, Hector, is/was more popular in Scotland than in England. That's interesting, too...

In western Europe, Alexander was mostly used for popes, rulers and intellectuals until relatively modern times, but it became very popular in the 19th century. Victorian imperial confidence, maybe? I don't know.

Yes, partly, and importantly. You are right. But it was also already popular name in the UK in the middle ages largely due to the popularity of the Alexander romances (stories/egends) I suppose. Also was, and still is, a popular name in Scotland with royalty connection of course (Alexander I). Also Alexander versatile with the many many short forms. Not so much going for Lysander to catapult it to the same heights.

A friend of mine named her son Lysander, he's now 12/13 and although it not a name I would choose I think there are a lot worse out there x

I meant that it's illogical that some ancient Greek names have become popular while others have not. In western Europe, Alexander was mostly used for popes, rulers and intellectuals until relatively modern times, but it became very popular in the 19th century. Victorian imperial confidence, maybe? I don't know.

Am not certain about pronounciation putting people off; 'Lionel' has been used for centuries without anyone linking it to the word 'lie'.

I think it's also the "lie" sound that would put people off, not a good start.

I like Sandor, which I believe is the Hungarian form of Alexander, not just a shortening. There used to be an actor called Sandor Eles, which is where I first heard the name.

Nice name. Go for it

I like them all apart from Solomon (I've only ever met one Solomon though which is a plus point) I do know a very nice Gideon!
Atticus and Lysander are definitely my favorites.

The other thing is flora, maybe there is a reason some names remained popular and mainstream and others not! I would bet the lice thing is the reason Lysander lost popularity, having said that the more I say 'Lysander' the more I like it, its quite strong but with a pretty quality.

OP if Lysander is the one you both love I agree that you should just go ahead and use it. It's unusual yes but not unheard of.

Not illogical. Alexander has been mainstream for ever so long, not so Lysander.

'Won't somebody think of the children' sprang unchecked to my mind in first instance

The names sound stereotypically upper class, even 'comedy' upper class. You're 'normal' you say, then I wouldn't do it' Why would you! Atticus is super trendy. Solomon is the best of them.

It's rather illogical that the name of one foreign ancient Greek-region hero - Alexander - should be totally acceptable, while another one - Lysander- raises eyebrows. Plenty of other names in popular use are also ancient Greek - Chloe, Helen, Jason, Paris...

I rather like Lysander, and it sort of 'fits' with your DH's armed forces career. I also associate 'Lysander' with the famous 'secret missions' WWII aircraft, which is an exciting story for any child to link their name to.

I know a five year old Oberon, known as Obi. When I first met him I rolled my eyes a bit at his name, but now I don't think twice about it. He's just one of dd's bunch of friends.

It would be lies, not lice if shortened, surely!!

I knew a Leander at university. He'd be in his early thirties now. I like it.

What about Samson then ;) but actually I quite like it!
Leandro
Lorcan
lauchlan
I also love Thadeus/teddy and considered it but family objected...
I secretly like the idea of Oberon

Lysander is gaining popularity it seems so if you both love it....