Lysander pronunciation?

[tessdurbyfield]

We really like Lysander, possibly nickname Xander.

However, perplexed as to how it should be pronounced and wondered whether it's regional like bath or barth.

I thought it would be Ly-saRn-der, then Xander pronounced with a similar 'ah' sound as this is how we would pronounce Alexander where we're from (South)

Seems online like many pronounce it Ly-Sand-er, in which case presumably Xander would be a short 'a' sound which doesn't sound right with our accent.

Thoughts?

I would definitely pronounce it LySANder

LySANder here too...

I use a short a sound, like in sand for all of Alexander, Lysander and Xander.

Definitely Sand not Sarnd.

Lie-san-der.

Sounds like a shrub or a virus.

It's not a great name. I'd recommend Alexander or Xander.

And Xander is zan-der like in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Yes but looking for the English pronunciation not American. I know a Xander and he is X-ah-nder but then obviously it doesn't match the short Ly-SAN-der pronunciation. Gah so confusing!

I have a fairly neutral RP accent and use a long a in grass and bath and similar (gr aaah s and b aaah th and so on).

Lysander however, I pronounce as written because sand is a short a. I don't use a bucket and spade to dig in the saaahnd. I've never thought about it before as Alexander and Xander have a long a in my accent.

Would be interesting to know where everyone is from and if it matches their pronunciation!

Yes but looking for the English pronunciation not American. I know a Xander and he is X-ah-nder but then obviously it doesn't match the short Ly-SAN-der pronunciation. Gah so confusing!

Well I'm Scottish so adding to the confusion 🤣

Both have a short 'a' in my accent

Every production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream that I’ve seen has said Ly-SAN-der, so I would go with that. Even though I would use the southern approach for Alexander and Xander.

That's a really really good point. I feel like it's connected to Alexander so want to pronounce it to match, but you're absolutely right that sand is a short vowel

I would use a ‘sand’ sound for both names and diminutives. I can only think of a
couple of people who would pronounce it as you’d want and they are very old money types from the South East. Not your average Joe you’d meet in an office….

Yes as above. Xand = long but sand = sort

I have the most RP accent you can imagine and I say it with a short a (Lie-sand-er)

I've never heard it pronounced Ly-sarnder. Is Xander a short version of it, or are they two different names?

I'm from the south and would pronounce Alexander and Xander with a long a, but Lysander with a short a.

Sadly it does conjure up certain free-range child led parenting vibes. Will sound good when calling said name out down Waitrose.

Yes i agree- i would say the long A in Alexander but short A in Lysander. I have typically RP accent

Thanks all. Online threads suggest Xander as a nickname for Lysander and I don't love the short sound for Xander. Reckon it would be fine to use Ly-sand-er but then long vowel for Xander?

Can't please everyone, hence why I didn't ask for opinions on names 😂 There are numerous names on here I can't stand, but to each their own.

If you like the name Xander, why not just use that. I would pronounce that how you suggest (as in Alexander). London accent.

Lysander is definitely a different sound which isn't regional.

Londoner here. Lysander with a short vowel, based on memories of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Alexander with a long vowel. I've never said Xander out loud but would probably pronounce it with a long vowel to match Alexander (and also Alexander "Xander" Armstrong).

You should read The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous by Jilly Cooper. The protagonist is Lysander. Examples of posh/ non posh pronunciation abound within.