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Baby names

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

Original poster

Leander

54 replies

17caterpillars1mouse · 18/06/2023 20:24

What are your thoughts on Leander for a boy? Quite popular in Norway apparently but unusual in the UK with the name given to only 11 baby boys last year, what are your thoughts?

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PickledScrump · 19/06/2023 17:40

The only one I know of is female so to me it’s a feminine name

BloodyCatArgh · 19/06/2023 10:42

The only Leander I know is an (adult) woman.

VenusClapTrap · 19/06/2023 09:45

I love it. Lee as an abbreviation isn’t good though.

happyinherts · 19/06/2023 09:39

Not keen. Sounds like girls name Leanda and does rhyme with meander.

user1492757084 · 19/06/2023 09:36

It's different and quite handsome.

It reminds me of Alexander.
I imagine Leander would be Lee sometimes.

Stressybetty · 19/06/2023 03:04

Not keen, sounds like meander.

Theoldwoman · 19/06/2023 02:48

Not heard of it for a male, my friend has a sister called Leannda.

Longdarkcloud · 18/06/2023 22:36

I think it’s great with a good and ancient history.
Have you got a second name? Leander Horatio would be terrific.
The girl I knew called something similar was Leandra which is also nice.

ZoyaTheDestroyer · 18/06/2023 21:39

I like it very much. I went to university with a lovely Leander.

RoachFish · 18/06/2023 21:01

I am Swedish and I know it predominantly a surname here, but you can use it as a first name too. It's a very standard surname and the equivalent in the UK would probably be something that is less popular than Smith/Jones and more like Holden or Jennings. I think Leander is better than Lysander though as a Scandi at least.

SpringIntoChaos · 18/06/2023 20:46

*it's 'not' to my taste (typo).

SpringIntoChaos · 18/06/2023 20:45

It to my taste, sorry...it sounds way too feminine to my ears, no matter how I try to pronounce it 🤷‍♀️. And I'd imagine it getting shortened to Lee or Lenny...do you like it as much now?

QuintanaRoo · 18/06/2023 20:43

Prefer Lysander. But I knew a Leanda so to me it seems a more feminine name.

Polik · 18/06/2023 20:42

Name of a swimming club near me (pretty good one too)

Embarra55ed · 18/06/2023 20:41

I know one who is about 8 now. German parents and pronounced Lay-ander. It’s lovely!

CaptainMyCaptain · 18/06/2023 20:41

elaeocarpus · 18/06/2023 20:39

It makes me think of the rowing club, sorry

I know where that is because I used to live near there but I doubt it would occur to most people. 8

elaeocarpus · 18/06/2023 20:39

It makes me think of the rowing club, sorry

OhBeAFineGuyKissMe · 18/06/2023 20:38

Very nice boys name.

Highdaysandholidays1 · 18/06/2023 20:36

I like a lot.

MillicentTrilbyHiggins · 18/06/2023 20:35

I love it, but the only ones I've known were girls.

toastofthetown · 18/06/2023 20:34

I like Leander, but prefer Cassander, Evander or Lysander of the -ander names.

greenacrylicpaint · 18/06/2023 20:32

love it.
had it on my list for a boy.

EggInANest · 18/06/2023 20:30

Pronounced Lee-ander?

judging by a road of the same name near where I work, lots of people will say ‘Leen-der’

CaptainMyCaptain · 18/06/2023 20:29

I had a Leander in my class 9 or 10 years ago. Lovely boy and I don't remember any adverse comments.