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Baby names

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

Lysander?

67 replies

Primsgoat · 07/10/2017 21:37

Lysander is literally the only boys' name we like. I've just searched for it here on mumsnet and seen an old thread where someone said 'he'll have seven shades of crap beaten out of him at school', or something equally delightful. Now, I realise it probably sounds a bit pretentious in English, but DH is Greek (I'm from another European country) and we have a Greek surname. Does that mitigate somewhat? A little? Not at all?

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Ploppie4 · 07/10/2017 21:38

Great name!

mishann · 07/10/2017 21:39

I thi k it is awful, sorry! And i am a HUGE MND fan.

Joinourclub · 07/10/2017 21:47

I think it sounds a bit pretentious , but I don't think that way about other kids. I've never actually seen a kid be bullied because of their name and I've taught teenagers for 15 years. Maybe it happens in very non diverse areas where there are fewer unusual names. But if you are even considering Lysander you probably live in an area where your child will have another Lysander in his class.

Besides, it could be shortened to Sandy, which I love.

BlackandWhitepostcards · 07/10/2017 21:48

I love it! Another mnetter has a little Lysander.

hp2 · 07/10/2017 21:48

I love the name. He is a loveable character in one of Jilly Coopers books!

AliceLostInWonderland321 · 07/10/2017 21:49

Pretentious. Sandy is even more awful.

Maybe shortened to Zander would sound okay.

BenLui · 07/10/2017 21:50

I think if your DH is Greek it would be fine.

MaroonPencil · 07/10/2017 21:51

I think it's great. Use it! Honestly, kids are called all kinds of things these days, to them it's just a name, in my kids class there's a Serenity, Xavier, Junior, Coco, all would have been unusual when I was young, but to them they are just names. If you like it, please use it.

Primsgoat · 07/10/2017 21:51

We live in SW London. Pretty diverse. Do you think people realise it's a Greek name?

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MaroonPencil · 07/10/2017 21:52

And yes, hp2, I also thought of the man who made husbands jealous! And Midsummer Night's Dream.

Groovee · 07/10/2017 21:52

I’ve worked with a Lysander. He suited it and no one bothered about the name.

Dustbunny1900 · 07/10/2017 21:54

Very Shakespeare. I like it. But then I love L names..Lucius, Liam, Linus, Lysander,

minipie · 07/10/2017 21:55

I didn't realise it was Greek, I only know it from midsummer nights dream. And the one in that was a dick as I recall! Sorry.

ilovepixie · 07/10/2017 21:55

It’s a bit Jilly Cooperish.

mintich · 07/10/2017 21:58

Is your surname obviously Greek? Either way, I like it

Mulch · 07/10/2017 21:58

I like it, not heard it before so wouldn't necessarily know it was greek

toobreathless · 07/10/2017 22:03

Love it.

But biased as I have one :)

He is Xander day to day.

NoSquirrels · 07/10/2017 22:10

I like it. I'd not be brave enough, but with a Greek reason I might Smile

Would definitely use Xander as day to day.

Ojoj1974 · 07/10/2017 22:12

Love it.
Love Zander as nick name but not Sandy

Smoliver · 07/10/2017 22:13

Love this name. I know it mostly from Shakespeare but also Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter names one of her twin boys this.

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 07/10/2017 22:23

Unless your surname is Shakespeare (or Hawkley Grin ), go for it..!

OkPedro · 07/10/2017 22:26

Luna lovegood has twin boys?!!

MajesticWhine · 07/10/2017 22:27

Yes it's a bit pretentious but a nice name and you will get away with it with your Greek surname.

Primsgoat · 07/10/2017 22:57

I would say our surname is pretty clearly Greek, yes.

The Greek version of the name is actually Lysandros. And when you're addressing someone with that name, it's Lysandre. I'm not sure what his official name would be, but I would be using the anglicised version. DH might be using the Greek one...

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stopbeingadramallama · 07/10/2017 22:57

Looking at it makes me think of lasagna.