Xavier and Xander

[Purple75]

Too similar for siblings?

I think it’s fine. Probably only on peoples radar because of the unusual first letter.
I love Xander as a name in its on right. No different from putting Alex on a birth certificate.
I guess the question is do you like them and would you change them? If the answer is no just get on with it.
To me it’s far less cringe than the 2 families that have given all there children k names one with 5 kids and one with 4 kids. Or unusual spelt J names

Wow, people are harsh!

Xander is much better than Alexander!

The names are fine together, don't over think it

I don’t like either. They sound too pretentious.

Xavier is one of my all time favourites.
I'm not keen on diminutive names as I feel people need a proper name when they grow up, Hence xavier and Alexander would be my preference. (My own son has a full version of a traditional name and the number of nicknames he has chose yo be called by different groups of friends has been his own choice. He similarly likes to only use the full version professionally.

Please don't pronounce Xavier Ex-ay-vee-u. I know some people do but just no

It's rife in Australia. Bloody awful.

Not a fan at all. Sounds weird.

Be warned OP - many people won’t read this update and will respond to your OP not realising you have already used the names. The responses will be honest but they will also be unvarnished.

It is not a pair I would have chosen. Which of the multiple pronunciations of Xavier do you use?

At the very least I would change his full name to Alexander so he can chose a different diminutive to distinguish himself from his brother when he’s older if he wants (he probably will)

It’s not great - very twee twinny. They aren’t cats..

Xavier is pronounced Zay-vee-uh

There isn’t another way to say it

That’s the Anglicised pronunciation, yes. I’ve encountered several in the UK who nevertheless use the French pronunciation zav-ee-ay and I have learnt to check.

There’s a different way to say it in almost every European country. As pp said it is wise to check which is why I asked OP! Zay-vee-uh would be my go-to pronunciation if sight-reading in the UK.

I know twins with these names.

Yep, definitely too similar....

Yes, definitely not great.
Why use a proper name then a shortened form, and why both starting with the same letter?

Could be a lot worse op and they aren't going to be a wee duo for their whole lives! So if those were you absolute favourite boy names then it's fine.

I knew sisters called Melissa and Melanie growing up. That was fine too

I think it's fine.

Well, as they’re here and this is what you’ve named them then you’re going to have to ride it out, but I suspect the raised eyebrows are because they think it’s too similar.

People who you know well will get used to it. You and your family will get used to the raised eyebrow as you introduce them!

Xavier and Alexander I could accept as attractive as brothers.

Xander is not a fave, sorry and not with Xavier.

Xavier and Xander no.

Xavier and Alexander is fine.

Two X names definitely stand out as matchy but they’re not bad names and the children will grow up and lead separate lives. I quite like Xavier but don’t know if I’m brave enough to use it.

I think they sound so different that it doesn't matter but would have gone for Alexander nn Xander. Or are you saying Zavier rather than Havier for Xavier?

I think it’s fine. Both are nice names.

This is an old thread from last October, when the children were already here and named.