Oleander for a boy?

[Rachelhaydenberk1]

I want to add Oleander to my boy name list but I know its controversial since it's a flower and typically girls get the flower namesake but I feel Oleander sounds very masculine. Its familiar to Oliver and Alexander both are just so very common. Oleander is a new spin on those to me. And I love the nickname Oly - pronounced like Oh-Lee, not Ollie. I love everything about it for a boy and nothing about it at all feels feminine. The flower is also poisonous, does that make it more macho?

I would want to pair it with a very masculine middle name because I know I'm not gonna convince everyone that it's a boy name. I was thinking Oleander Nolan. Nolan means champion. The middle name also needs to be simple so I feel like this fits?

What is your honest opinion?

Honestly, I don't like it. Not because it's a flower but because it sounds massively privileged .Which isn't fair of me but you wanted my honest opinion. But if you do, go ahead.

Privledged huh? Hmmm. I dont get that vibe from it but I do know what you mean because the names Spencer and Scott give me that vibe for some reason!!

I done like it.
I don't like the sound of it, nor the look of it written down.

And it definitely sounds more of a girl name to me anyway.

I know it's one of those names that I think really resonates or completely does not which is admittedly a concern. I just cant picture it for a girl at all but in this day of so many gender neutral names who even knows anymore!!

Sounds like something from Harry Potter

I had to look that up as I'm not a Harry Potter person. There is a character with the last name Ollivander so that must be what you are thinking of! Like I said, I'm not into Harry Potter so I have no association with that. There was some other character that I liked the name of and now I dint even remember but it was more of a main character so it did turn me off and now i cant even recall what name it was!

Oleander is ok although I would pronounce it the O like Oliver and Oly “Ollie” . Nolan is awful though - sounds common and reminds me of the Nolan sisters

Personally I dislike it. It's a flower, not a boys name. I think you would be setting your son up for a lifetime of bullying. And realistically, no-one would pronounce his nickname the way you like it....he would become Ollie pretty quickly I imagine.
Would Lysander or Leander work for you maybe?

It sounds to me as if you are calling out 'Oh, Leander!'

Any reason not to choose the name from the myths? I think it's lovely, and rarely used there days

Oleander is poisonous. That's one reason I wouldn't use the name.

Why do children have to have so many far out there names now?! I think you’ll find that no one will actually call him that, he will be known as Ollie not Oh-ly and it seems kind of pointless. It’s hard when it’s a name that you like but if you really like it that much could you not consider it as a middle name?

It's truly awful, and nobody will pronounce the nickname the way you think it will be pronounced

How about Leander? That's a known name. Oleander just sounds ... strange to my ear.

How about Leander? Love that name.

I forgot to mention I'm American so I do think the accent is slightly different! I looked up pronunciation for US vs. UK. That's really interesting! I do want to like Leander because that would make it so much easier but I feel like Leander is missing a syllable or something! I really prefer Oleander but I'll see if Leander grows on me more. I do love the nickname Oly (oh-lee) a lot. I also dont mind Ollie. I didnt realize the accent difference in pronouncing Oleander.

Isn't it a poisonous flower?

I like Leander, there's a Belgian footballer with that name playing for Wolves at the moment. It works well as a name in English too.

It's famously poisonous & is linked to accidental deaths.

Very pretty actual plants. I guess lots of things are poisonous. I just think there's nicer names, fewer bad connotations.

Many flowers and plants are poisonous including Iris, a lit if different types of lillies. Also Ivy makes me think of poison ivy. So many plants and flowers are poisonous that are names also!! It doesn't bother me. The poison protects the plant/flower.

Nope

I do appreciate everyone's opinions. I'll have to see if Leander grows on me more. My sister in law's name is Leigh so I feel it would be a nice subtle honor name for her.

Also Marigolds and Azalea. Lots of lillies! Iris. I didnt know so many flowers were poisonous. I did actually know Oleanders are. I mentioned that in my original post.

Leander if you must.

Oleander would be a no from me.

Call him what ever name you want, it’s a stupid name. Not pronounced as it’s spelled Oh Lee Ander.
In 35 years time when everyone know him as Lee he will roll his eyes and mutter about his parents as he spells out his full name, to which the person filling out the forms will say “isn’t that plant poisonous” and “my sister has a friend with that name I think”.

Lol that's a bit dramatic but thanks for the feedback.