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?

It is pronounced how its spelled. In the states we would say Oh le ander.

In thinking about the harsh reaction to Oleander, I know I only posted this a couple hours ago but I didnt expect such an overwhelming negative response. I thought it would at least be more mixed, I think I will also add Leander Desmond to my list. I am warming up to Leander I suppose. I still like Oleander a lot but I am not looking for a name with so much backlash really!

Horrible on so many levels. And it's not even a nice flower! It's poisonous.

I’m up for unusual names. But I think calling a man a flower in the US is asking for trouble. (A boy named Sue.)

What about Lysander - WWII bomber + Shakespeare character.

Love it.

Thank you. Yes I'm aware its poisonous along with Irises, Lillies, Azaleas, Marigolds, Ivy etc. That doesn't bother me as I said. I even joked about since its poisonous does that make it more macho?

I see it's not received well. I think it sounds so masculine and handsome! Must just be me!! I'm warming up to Leander as another option possibly!

I personally think Lysander sounds more feminine than Oleander. Maybe it's the Lys part but I do appreciate the suggestion as thatcits not as common as Oliver and Alexander.i appreciate the boy named Sue reference- made me laugh!!

No. I really don't like it. I completely agree with the prediction that fallfallfall has made.

I like Leander though.

Freida Berlin wanted to poison another inmate in Litchfield prison with Oleander. If you watch orange is the new black.

It's like name your child hemlock

It’s Lie sarnder rather than Li (as in pill) - sanda.

But there are so many poisonous flowers! I think that is kinda a silly point. I definitely do not watch Orange is the new Black like after the third season - it lost my interest!! But I appreciate the feedback.

Ok Lie-sander. Hmmm. I have never met a Lysander so I was not aware. I want to like it but it runs me wrong as it has the words lie and/or lice! But again I appreciate that suggestion rather than just being super rude with no alternative suggestions!!

Sounds like you couldn't decide between Oliver and Alexander so combined them

He will run a wand shop in diagon alley when he's older

I like it and think it sounds more masculine than feminine. I never comment on name threads but since I seem to be the only person on Mumsnet who agrees with you I just wanted to show some solidarity!

I’m not really being serious OP, I don’t think it would work in the US. Same way US surname as first name trend works well there but not here. Colt or Cole or Chase with a London accent is hilarious.

I’d say Orlando but the city gives it very different associations to the U.K.

Basically! I sometimes like combination names! Sorry but I'm unfamiliar with your reference but thanks for getting your dig in LOL.

I like it. I'm thinking Orlando Bloom and for a male name, you can't get more floral feminine than that!

For sure!! Orlando here is Orlando, Florida association which is not great. It's kinda a filthy town!

Maybe if you spelt the shortened version 'Oley' instead it might stand more of a chance of being pronounced the way you want.

I wouldn't mind Orlando too much except it's not that nice of a place here! And there is something about Orlando Bloom that runs me the wrong way lol, I couldn't tell you what it is! But yes Orlando Bloom sounds flowery to me. I dont agree that all nature names have to only be for girls. I think it depends on the sound of the word but maybe it's just me! xo

What about Oakley? Nature reference but masculine. Or Orion - warrior and constellation.

Lots of boys here are called Oscar.

Yes Oley. Hadn't figured out the best spelling yet! I do love it. It is different though as most would think Ollie so I get the problem I'm presenting!

Sounds like you couldn't decide between Oliver and Alexander. It's a terrible name.

Nature refs aren’t all feminine. There are a lot of Bears here right now and Fox and River and Rowan.

Oakley is a sunglasses brand and unsafe city here in California- not to be confused with Oakland but they actually are not too far apart. Oakley is used as a girls name also! Why can girls get boy names but it cant go the other way around?

Orion is nice but I worry it's very close to Ryan! But again I do appreciate suggestions as they are helpful and constructive!