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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Leander

54 replies

17caterpillars1mouse · 18/06/2023 20:24

What are your thoughts on Leander for a boy? Quite popular in Norway apparently but unusual in the UK with the name given to only 11 baby boys last year, what are your thoughts?

OP posts:
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happyinherts · 19/06/2023 09:39

Not keen. Sounds like girls name Leanda and does rhyme with meander.

VenusClapTrap · 19/06/2023 09:45

I love it. Lee as an abbreviation isn’t good though.

BloodyCatArgh · 19/06/2023 10:42

The only Leander I know is an (adult) woman.

PickledScrump · 19/06/2023 17:40

The only one I know of is female so to me it’s a feminine name

Outdamnspot23 · 19/06/2023 17:46

I like it but isn't the mythology quite drowny? That's the only thing that puts me off.

I'd go with shortening of Leo.

SmurfetteSalad · 19/06/2023 18:05

Beautiful Greek name! 💛💛💛

SmurfetteSalad · 19/06/2023 18:05

SmurfetteSalad · 19/06/2023 18:05

Beautiful Greek name! 💛💛💛

It's a boy's name! Leander & Hero.

Pattygonia · 19/06/2023 18:08

Yes I don’t like the tragic associations either - same reason I wouldn’t name a girl Ophelia though I know lots of people like the name.

HappyMe6 · 19/06/2023 18:14

Not a fan my friends name is Leanda but a girl I suppose when I hear the name which I know is spelt differently I just think it’s more of a girls name

Happyhappyeveryday · 19/06/2023 18:18

Great name. Also like Lysander.

KarmaIsMyBF · 19/06/2023 18:18

EggInANest · 18/06/2023 20:30

Pronounced Lee-ander?

judging by a road of the same name near where I work, lots of people will say ‘Leen-der’

Can confirm because that's what I thought it was Grin

thejadefish · 19/06/2023 18:19

We chose Leander! I didn't know about the tragic Greek myth at the time though, I just knew it was associated with / came from the word lion & thought it sounded nice (DH suggested it). I don't mind Lee either, from my point of view it gives him a choice when he's older - he can shorten it or not depending on how he feels about the name.

Cazziebo · 19/06/2023 18:20

Love it! Also love Lysander.

Spanielsarepainless · 19/06/2023 18:24

It's a swimming club in Plymouth...

NeverendingCircus · 19/06/2023 18:32

I like it. I'd pronounce it Lay-ander.

Daisybuttercup12345 · 19/06/2023 21:54

Lysander is much better.
Leander could be shortened to Leanne.
What about Lee?

notagainfml · 19/06/2023 22:16

Love it but I associate it with a girl I once knew

continentallentil · 19/06/2023 23:19

ObviouslyNameChanged99 · 18/06/2023 20:28

I love it.

I also like Lysander.

I like it but I would perhaps go for Lysander because I don’t like Lee as a shortform.

SmurfetteSalad · 20/06/2023 05:52

thejadefish · 19/06/2023 18:19

We chose Leander! I didn't know about the tragic Greek myth at the time though, I just knew it was associated with / came from the word lion & thought it sounded nice (DH suggested it). I don't mind Lee either, from my point of view it gives him a choice when he's older - he can shorten it or not depending on how he feels about the name.

You can also shorten to Leo

thejadefish · 20/06/2023 07:26

SmurfetteSalad · 20/06/2023 05:52

You can also shorten to Leo

That's true - I didn't think of that. Leo would be more in keeping with the lion meaning too. I'll let him decide though we'll keep using Leander unless he asks us not to!

17caterpillars1mouse · 20/06/2023 08:13

@thejadefish how old is your little Leander? And what reactions have you had about his name? Has anybody assumed its a girls name? I'd be really interested to hear real life experiences as obviously so few are born each year

OP posts:
Coronationstation · 20/06/2023 08:39

It’s a famous rowing club on the Thames so gets a no from me!

SnotSnotSnottySnot · 20/06/2023 08:42

I live near the rowing club too. Isn't the logo a pink hippo?

JanesBlond · 20/06/2023 08:51

I prefer Oleander

Coronationstation · 20/06/2023 09:13

SnotSnotSnottySnot · 20/06/2023 08:42

I live near the rowing club too. Isn't the logo a pink hippo?

Yes it is!!

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