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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

What do you think of Evander?

56 replies

aureliacecilia · 03/10/2020 18:36

We've got an Alec and a female Alex in the family so Alexander is out, which is a shame as it's about the only name I like. I just don't think there's room for another Alex. I've been looking at alternatives and came across this one. What do you think?

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Nquartz · 05/10/2020 19:52

I would say i-van-da like in phonics, not like aye

IncludeWomenInTheSequel · 05/10/2020 16:23

I'm surprised how much I like it!

I'd say Eh-van-der.

As an alternative, Alban? I always liked that since reading a novel where the main character had that name.

Enko · 05/10/2020 16:18

I like it

DefinitelyMaybeBaby · 05/10/2020 15:29

I would say eh-van-der but I think the boxer was pronounced ee-van-der, so I think you would need to be prepared for people to use both.

Original poster
aureliacecilia · 05/10/2020 15:06

Thank you for the comments. I feel strongly that I can't use Alexander as my sister is Alex. I'm sure she would be extremely flattered but I don't really want She Alex and He Alex in the family! I suspect Alexander/Alexandra may need to be confined to the middle name spot (although don't worry, not Evander Alexander as I recognise that's a bit ridiculous). Would you see ee VAN der or eh VAN der? I like both.

OP posts:
Pelagi · 05/10/2020 15:02

It’s nice. I immediately thought of Evander Holyfield (age thing I suspect). But also it sounds like the name of an elf. Which is a good thing Smile

DefinitelyMaybeBaby · 05/10/2020 14:58

It's a Scottish name. I like it.
I think the boxer connection would be lost once it was your baby's name. I know a Lennox and instantly thought of Lennox Lewis but now it's just his name and his identity.
The rapper Example has a son called Evander who they call Van most of the time.

ladymary86 · 05/10/2020 07:03

I like it! It's on our short list of boys names 😊

lojoko · 05/10/2020 06:54

@user1542365556321

Isn't this the name of a double glazing company?
So is John Crowcroft, to be fair. Not really a disqualifier.
user1542365556321 · 04/10/2020 23:51

Isn't this the name of a double glazing company?

Straysocks · 04/10/2020 23:30

Sascha as an abbreviation of Alexander?

AlannaOfTrebond · 04/10/2020 23:24

I like it and had no immediate associations
come to mind.

ISBN111 · 04/10/2020 23:04

Just use Alexander, which is such a fantastic name, your relations will absolutely understand why you have used it.

FlyingApples · 04/10/2020 23:00

I don’t know why everyone is saying they prefer Xander/ Zander- it’s just a shortening of Alexander, not a proper name. I did think of the boxer, but I think Evander is fine as a name. Lysander is even better.

omega3 · 04/10/2020 22:56

I'd just use Alexander, if the nearest family association is a cousin. Xander as a nickname.

Firebird83 · 04/10/2020 22:51

Love it. It means “good man” which is a nice meaning.

londonscalling · 04/10/2020 18:55

I'm not into boxing in the slightest but as soon as I saw this then the name Evander Holyfield came to mind (I wouldn't know him if I saw him)!

RednaxelasLunch · 04/10/2020 18:38

Olivander

Nah just call your kid Alex. No one has dibs on names

ScottishLassie91 · 04/10/2020 18:36

I thought of Holyfield straight away ... if you really like Alexander, maybe Zander instead? Less likely to be shortened to Alex

user1493494961 · 04/10/2020 18:32

Also think of the boxer.

Mumsnext1979 · 04/10/2020 07:49

What about Xander?

daisypond · 04/10/2020 07:47

I think immediately of the boxer and the ear incident.
Alistair is a Scottish version of Alexander.

HelloDulling · 04/10/2020 07:38

I would only think of the boxer.

Kiki275 · 04/10/2020 07:36

It reminds me of the boxer. Like others, I'd go for Xander. It was on my boys shortlist last time x

Orchidflower1 · 04/10/2020 07:32

Sorry Holyfield sprang to mind.

Wouldn’t the shortened version sound like even?