Lysander

[toobreathless]

Thoughts please.

This is the only name we have both agreed on so far!

DH likes: Atticus, Horatio

I like: Solomon, Gideon, Percival.

Middle name will be John for family reasons.

What do you think?

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.

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...

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?

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

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

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

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!

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 think its a great name shows u have an imagination