Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

I can’t decide on the name for my son

63 replies

Tkoko · 05/06/2025 14:05

Hi, I very badly need someone’s help. I live in Italy, with my Italian husband. I am Ukrainian myself. Our first daughter is Nikita and for our son I wanted to chose a name that would be slavic but still modern and international, and easy to understand in Italy. I am going crazy as nothing sounds perfect. I was thinking of Alexander (Sasha), Victor, Maxim or even Ian or Philip. But i am not able to understand if they are modern and good enough? What do you think?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
ClowningArounds · 05/06/2025 18:30

I would suggest that asking a mainly British public which of those name sounds old fashioned in Italy or Ukraine is not the right target audience! Names go through waves of popularity at different times in different countries. For example in the country I live in (Mediterranean but not Italy!), the names Vera and Eunice are pretty popular for young girls, which sound incredibly dated to UK ears. Similarly I was surprised to read on MN that Sylvie is a very old lady name in France - in the UK it is regarded as rather chic and increasingly popular.

FWIW, I agree with PPs about Alexander/Sasha being great, and also Maxim (for me always associated with Rebecca the novel).

Mischance · 05/06/2025 17:58

I like Maxim. Never mind the condom comment!

ohmondew · 05/06/2025 17:57

I love Misha! what about Gašper?

user2848502016 · 05/06/2025 17:56

Tkoko · 05/06/2025 16:53

Yes I was thinking of Misha for Michael or Michael or Michele… but can’t figure out the full name that would sound clear for non slavic people

Show quote history

Michael with Misha for short is nice

user2848502016 · 05/06/2025 17:54

I love Alexander/Sasha, also he could be Alex/Xander when he’s older if he prefers.

I like Philip too and it’s becoming more popular

Ian is a bit old fashioned, so is Maxim - but if Max for short it’s nice.

Victor is a little old fashioned too but I like it

scotstarstrikestwo · 05/06/2025 17:53

Andrew or a version of it?

Original poster
Tkoko · 05/06/2025 17:45

coxesorangepippin · 05/06/2025 17:38

I don't know anyone who nicknames their Alexander's Sasha

Well in slavic countries like Russia Ukraine etc Sasha is a short for Aleksander. Misha is a short for Mikhail. Dima/Mitya is a short for Dmitriy. So it is smth very natural to me, but definitely a stand alone name in other countries. Naomi watts’ son is also Alexander/ Sasha.

OP posts:
coxesorangepippin · 05/06/2025 17:38

I don't know anyone who nicknames their Alexander's Sasha

Original poster
Tkoko · 05/06/2025 16:58

GuineapigOlympics · 05/06/2025 16:05

My son has two of the names on your list, we are British.
I actually really like Maxim (that isn't one of his but I was considering it)

What are your sons’ names?

OP posts:
Original poster
Tkoko · 05/06/2025 16:53

MargotTenenbaumscoat · 05/06/2025 16:17

I know a Mikhail which is lovely. Probably not considered modern but Mikhail and Nikita would sound great together.

Yes I was thinking of Misha for Michael or Michael or Michele… but can’t figure out the full name that would sound clear for non slavic people

OP posts:
MargotTenenbaumscoat · 05/06/2025 16:17

I know a Mikhail which is lovely. Probably not considered modern but Mikhail and Nikita would sound great together.

MargotTenenbaumscoat · 05/06/2025 16:13

Sasha

GuineapigOlympics · 05/06/2025 16:05

My son has two of the names on your list, we are British.
I actually really like Maxim (that isn't one of his but I was considering it)

Original poster
Tkoko · 05/06/2025 15:59

MCCN · 05/06/2025 15:50

If your daughter is called Nikita, then don't go for Nikolai/Nick/Nikola for your son. They'll both end up being shortened to Nik or Nicky.

I like Alexander - what about Alessandro for his Italian heritage? Could be Sandro or Sasha for short.

If you're living in Italy why not Massimo, Bruno or Matteo (I like Teo for short).

Well, because I am Ukrainian and was thinking of demonstrating this mixed family vibe… if I can say that… at lease there is a reason for that… besides I really like when slavic names have foreign surnames like in our case with my husband's last name… cases are Sasha Baron Cohen, Sergei brin or Boris Johnson…

OP posts:
MCCN · 05/06/2025 15:50

If your daughter is called Nikita, then don't go for Nikolai/Nick/Nikola for your son. They'll both end up being shortened to Nik or Nicky.

I like Alexander - what about Alessandro for his Italian heritage? Could be Sandro or Sasha for short.

If you're living in Italy why not Massimo, Bruno or Matteo (I like Teo for short).

KnickerFolder · 05/06/2025 15:47

Alexander (Sasha) is perfect. It’s classic and Sasha is quite fashionable as a diminutive in the UK.

Victor is very, very old fashioned. It is from the grandad name era that is on trend but it hasn’t made a comeback. It’s a bit grumpy, old man. I would avoid it.

Maxim is well known but unusual in the UK. It’s fine. Max is quite popular.

Ian went out of fashion circa 1970, which is the era that is very unfashionable 😂 I think it’s going to be a long time before it comes back in fashion. Ian is a middle aged man who is a little bit boring.

Philip is also quite old fashioned. It’s another middle aged man name but, unlike Ian, it is more of a classic than a once trendy name associated with an era so it isn’t quite as terrible as Ian 😂 More that it’s not cool than it’s uncool IYSWIM 😂

pilates · 05/06/2025 15:34

Alexander perfect

KayEmAy · 05/06/2025 15:29

Ooh I really like Maxim! I also like Alexander and Ian. :)

4Tornot4T · 05/06/2025 15:26

Love Alexander - it's a classic name but also modern and international. Definitely my favourite from your list. And Sasha is a lovely nn.

Andoutcomethewolves · 05/06/2025 15:22

Not Ian!

How about Adrian? I really like Alexander/Sasha too. Or Alexei?

Gundogday · 05/06/2025 15:15

Nikolai sounds fine to me, and most Brits wouldn’t know if it was modern or not.

Nikola is similar to Nicola, which is a female name in the UK. People may assume that he’s a she if they see this name, and you’re just using the Slavik equivalent.,

CurlewKate · 05/06/2025 15:15

Alexander is perfect. There are plenty of potential shortenings he can choose for himself as he gets older.

Original poster
Tkoko · 05/06/2025 15:13

Tkoko · 05/06/2025 15:13

I was thinking about Nikolai and Nick to keep it more slavic or Nikola to go Italian but I am not sure Nikolai is modern enough..,

Show quote history

Luca, Tomas is among the top 10 names in Italy for years now

OP posts:
Original poster
Tkoko · 05/06/2025 15:13

Gundogday · 05/06/2025 15:00

Alexander is perfect.

Suggestions?

Nico
Luca
Karl
Nicholas
Tomas

I was thinking about Nikolai and Nick to keep it more slavic or Nikola to go Italian but I am not sure Nikolai is modern enough..,

OP posts:
Original poster
Tkoko · 05/06/2025 15:10

WaltzingWaters · 05/06/2025 15:03

Alexander 100% from your list.

Maxim sounds a bit condom brandish.

And please not Ian!

Oh thanks a lot… would have never thought that way… ok no Ian… I though that latest Jannik sinner was an inspiration)

OP posts: