Lysander?

[Primsgoat]

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?

Lysandros is great but you have to do the end changing

You don't absolutely have to. Most people don't when they speak to DH and he's used to it.

Maybe Lysandros is better than Lysander? DH is starting to think he won't like the English pronunciation as it begins a bit like the Greek word for rabies. He likes the way I say it, which is Ly-sand-er, rather than Lye-sand-er. I have no problem with the English pronunciation at all.

But then, most will probably pronounce Lysandros similarly... rather than the Greek way, which is Lys-and-ros.

Maybe we could use Lysandros in the passport and then English people could call him Lysander...

DH is called Dimitrios, by the way. so people will think we're big Shakespeare fans.

I really like it but then i like boys names that are usually hated on mumsnet lol

Leander would be a similar sounding name if you want a few more choices of a similar style

No one gets bullied in SW London schools for names. There is an understanding and acceptance of diversity, and more or less everyone has an 'out there' name.

It is a fine name. Use the Greek if you like, it's hardly hard to pronounce.

The only thing I would want to get a handle on is the shortening. Establishing Zander rather than S London teens calling 'Lice' or Lie' (phonetically) as the first syllable.

I would definitely go for Lysandros rather than Lysander. More true to the heritage, no harder to pronounce, and you're more likely to get people adopting your preferred pronunciation rather than applying the shakespeare version.

And agree he's not going to be bullied for his name (we are sw london and the DDs' class lists have a huge mix)

I would virtually have to glue my lips together to prevent myself from referring to your boy as “the man who made husbands jealous” so it’s a no from me. But I am a bit of a twat.

Dubious I'll have to Google that now.

I like it. It's not popular, but not unheard of. It's a nice alternative to Alexander, which is really popular. Also can get Xander as a nickname which is cool.

Oh I like Leander too! And 17caterpillars I'm the same way - I read all those "What's the worst name you've ever heard?" threads for inspiration, I love so many of the names on there.

“No one gets bullied in SW London schools for names. There is an understanding and acceptance of diversity, and more or less everyone has an 'out there' name.”

I agree! Kids are much more accepting of unusual names. If anything, they’re generally seen as cool.

Leander is a surname in my language and the Greek version, Leandros, is a Greek surname! Thanks for the suggestion though!

There's a Lysander in the fabulous Charlie Bone series of books and he's a great character!

He is a loveable character in one of Jilly Coopers books!

I thought of that Lysander too - but if I was going by loveability of JC characters I'd pick Luke.

Looking at it makes me think of lasagna.

I actually know a child who kept talking about Lasagna when discussing A Midsummer Night's Dream!

I really like it, especially with a Greek surname. I think all the associations are good ones.

Beautiful name and this was my chosen name for a boy except I had a girl. I was slightly put off by everyone having a go at it at this very site among others but it does remain a gorgeous name. Xander for short would work too.

I did think about the possible nicknames for it and Sandy made it sound like a colonel in WWII movie and it Lyse is foo close to lice so Xander would have to be almost the prescribed nickname for it.

It's a gorgeous name.

I immediately thought jilly cooper rather than Shakespeare too