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Baby names

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

Original poster

Zander or Zachary

35 replies

Eloise1995 · 24/10/2025 14:21

Which name do you like the best out of Zander & Zachary? + what reason do you dislike the other more? Struggling to come to a final decision for my son.

Thanks.

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nellietheellie75 · 25/10/2025 22:16

Alexander nn Xander

Firebird83 · 25/10/2025 22:14

Zachary

Lemonadepie · 25/10/2025 14:18

user1492757084 · 25/10/2025 13:07

Do you like..
Zane
Sackville
Zelman
Xavier

Sackville? Nicknamed Sack?? That’s even worse than Zack!

user1492757084 · 25/10/2025 13:07

Do you like..
Zane
Sackville
Zelman
Xavier

Silverbirchleaf · 24/10/2025 21:32

Zachary.

Zander is an incorrect spelling of Xander, which is a nn for Alexander.

NormasArse · 24/10/2025 21:21

Frankiebaby123 · 24/10/2025 15:56

Neither

Sorry- I agree.

mismomary · 24/10/2025 21:20

Zander people will assume you didn't realise it should be Xander / Alexander.

KayEmAy · 24/10/2025 20:45

Definitely Zander!

Passthecake30 · 24/10/2025 20:36

Xander

Alexandrine · 24/10/2025 20:33

tragichero · 24/10/2025 20:29

I would prefer Zachariah to Zachary. I think the ending has a nicer sound, and for some reason it seems more like the "proper" version. (I know that doesn't really mean much).

Not that keen on Zander.

Zachary (or Zachariah) can be shortened too, whereas Zander can't.

Xander sometimes just gets shortened to “Xan” or “Xand” ime (like TV’s Dr Xand), although obviously not as commonly as “Zach” for Zachary (since Xander is a less popular given name and a lot of Alexander’s are still “Alex” instead).

StrumpersPlunkett · 24/10/2025 20:32

I have a Xander but he was christened Alexander, we have always called him Xander.

Alexandrine · 24/10/2025 20:29

Zachary is nice. Xander is also lovely but Zander will spend too much of his time saying “Xander with a Z” (as since Buffy made it the fashionable/trendy nickname for timeless Alexander, it’s become much more widely used and most people will automatically use the Xander spelling).

tragichero · 24/10/2025 20:29

I would prefer Zachariah to Zachary. I think the ending has a nicer sound, and for some reason it seems more like the "proper" version. (I know that doesn't really mean much).

Not that keen on Zander.

Zachary (or Zachariah) can be shortened too, whereas Zander can't.

Justlikethattherearefive · 24/10/2025 20:16

Zachary is lovely. I only know of Xander and prefer it as a nickname for Alexander which is also lovely.

Go with your gut. The name needs to feel right for you.

JillyGiraffe · 24/10/2025 20:11

Definitely Zachary. Or Alexander?

RuthW · 24/10/2025 18:20

Xander

ChersHeart · 24/10/2025 17:20

Pike or Pilchard?

Natsku · 24/10/2025 17:19

Not sure about Zander, how about Trout?

DemonsandMosquitoes · 24/10/2025 17:15

Zachary.

Gizzagizza · 24/10/2025 17:13

I like Xander with an X - I also like Zachary.

Moreteaandchocolate · 24/10/2025 16:28

Love Zachary! And especially Zac for short.

Zander is nice as short for Alexander.

ThePerfectTimeToPanic · 24/10/2025 16:09

I prefer Zachary. I like how it sounds and how it looks written down, also like it shortened to Zach.

If I wanted to use the name Zander, I’d call the baby Alexander and use Xander.

Spidey66 · 24/10/2025 16:08

Zachary, with Zach as a nn. I don't mind Xander as a nn for Alexander, but not Zander as it is.

CarriMarie · 24/10/2025 16:05

Zachary.

BarnacleBeasley · 24/10/2025 16:01

I prefer Zachary as I have a bias towards 'real' names and ones which can be shortened or adapted rather than already being the shortening.

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