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?

Not keen on Oleander at all, was going to suggest Leandro but I see someone beat me to it. I like Leandro !

I know! I did say be honest so I guess I invited rude feedback. I can handle it. Im just compiling names. There are others I like. I just dont like overly common names but I'm not looking for names that are too out there that it will be problematic. I wasnt sure where exactly Oleander would fall so I asked!

I don’t dislike Oleander, but I would assume it was a girl if I didn’t know.

totally daft name

I'm not but what does that have to do with anything? This is a name advice thread.

I'm not a lesbian btw. But I don't understand why someone would ask that and with such hate? Do baby name forums welcome very unhinged people or what?

I've never seen that sort of thing posted before (trolls?) but it's been removed so that's good

Just a troll

Glad you like James! It's a name I liked for DS but couldn't use as it's a family name. Good luck deciding.

Thank you. I do quite like James as a middle name!

Oleander is a rather ugly & poisonous plant. It's not a person's name - why not go for Oliver (or Leander, if you must try to be "unique").

Why the deleted posts, it's baby names man?

Oleander isn’t just poisonous; it’s one of the most poisonous plants on the planet. Would be like calling a child Ricinus.

Love it OP!!

I like Oleander, but it's a very American-sounding name. Which isn't a bad thing if you are, in fact, American :) We're just not ready for such adventurous names in the UK!
American friends of mine wanted a nature boys name and went with 'Zephyr'. Very weird by British standards but none of their American family or friends batted an eyelid! Different strokes 🤷‍♀️

I am not keen on it but like Leandro. And love Evander, which may appeal to you too?

I love it! It sounds lovely, and I had no idea it was a plant. Do most people know of the plant connection?

Yes most people do know it's a plant and particularly know it is poisonous even though so many other flowers are also poisonous that are names. I'm not a botanical expert but I've heard Lillies of the Valley and Daphne are of the most poisonous flowers also! Just dont eat them!

I'm not sure if people in the US are more accepting or not but I'll start to ask around! I like Zephyr too but I know a dog by that name!

We're just not ready for such adventurous names in the UK!

Princess Tiaami?

Thank you to those who like it!

I dont think Leander is unique- it's a legitimate Greek name. Oleander is unique, yes, in that it is a botanical name and a masculine sounding one at that!

OP, I agree with you, I think Oleander sounds like a masculine name, and I like it a lot! I think people are so accustomed to think of -ander endings as masculine and -andra as feminine that in real life people will be fine with it. You've asked for opinions here so folks are thinking about the name from a critical viewpoint, but RL people won't do that.

It's tough finding flower/plant names that are acceptable for boys (I know that's not what you're trying to do). Other than Basil, which I personally think is very manly, most plant-based names are associated with girls, but Oleander is one that ticks the box so I will add it to my list (I'm the kind of geek that keeps name lists). Go for it OP!

It's not my usual type of name but I actually really like it. MN has a habit of jumping on anything out if the mainstream. I've been lying in bed saying the name over and over in my head and I think it's great. If you love it, do it. I don't think it's a name that will be picked on by peers.

Its definitely not a common name do I dont think he will get "my sister has a friend with that name." Its not the most common girl botanical name.
The poison thing, sure. But I think thst can mean strength and protection actually. And it is a flower, which I think is the only teasible thing as a boy. But the name itself isnt very feminine.