I can’t decide on the name for my son

[Tkoko]

Hi, I very badly need someone’s help. I live in Italy, with my Italian husband. I am Ukrainian myself. Our first daughter is Nikita and for our son I wanted to chose a name that would be slavic but still modern and international, and easy to understand in Italy. I am going crazy as nothing sounds perfect. I was thinking of Alexander (Sasha), Victor, Maxim or even Ian or Philip. But i am not able to understand if they are modern and good enough? What do you think?

My son has two of the names on your list, we are British.
I actually really like Maxim (that isn't one of his but I was considering it)

Sasha

I know a Mikhail which is lovely. Probably not considered modern but Mikhail and Nikita would sound great together.

Yes I was thinking of Misha for Michael or Michael or Michele… but can’t figure out the full name that would sound clear for non slavic people

What are your sons’ names?

I don't know anyone who nicknames their Alexander's Sasha

Well in slavic countries like Russia Ukraine etc Sasha is a short for Aleksander. Misha is a short for Mikhail. Dima/Mitya is a short for Dmitriy. So it is smth very natural to me, but definitely a stand alone name in other countries. Naomi watts’ son is also Alexander/ Sasha.

Andrew or a version of it?

I love Alexander/Sasha, also he could be Alex/Xander when he’s older if he prefers.

I like Philip too and it’s becoming more popular

Ian is a bit old fashioned, so is Maxim - but if Max for short it’s nice.

Victor is a little old fashioned too but I like it

Michael with Misha for short is nice

I love Misha! what about Gašper?

I like Maxim. Never mind the condom comment!

I would suggest that asking a mainly British public which of those name sounds old fashioned in Italy or Ukraine is not the right target audience! Names go through waves of popularity at different times in different countries. For example in the country I live in (Mediterranean but not Italy!), the names Vera and Eunice are pretty popular for young girls, which sound incredibly dated to UK ears. Similarly I was surprised to read on MN that Sylvie is a very old lady name in France - in the UK it is regarded as rather chic and increasingly popular.

FWIW, I agree with PPs about Alexander/Sasha being great, and also Maxim (for me always associated with Rebecca the novel).

Maxim is my favourite! Or Nikolai.

Sasha and Misha I would assume were girls names if I heard them out of context.

Georgii love it.❤

Im not keen on Alexander but love SASHA as a name in its own right. Also love Nikolai but maybe to similar to Nikita!

Love Alexander nn Sasha . Also Mikhail nn Misha

I know a German Alexander, nickname Sascha. I really like it. Plus there's lots of possibilities apart from Sascha like Xander or Alex or Alexei even.

Maxim is the name of the main male character in a very famous book, Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, yet you really hear it used (I think possibly short for Maximillian). My favourite of your list would be Alexander/Sacha because I love Sacha as a shortening, but Maxim is very very good, a very strong name. It also has a meaning in English 'Maxim: a short statement of a general truth, principle, or rule for behaviour.'

I love Alexander / sasha

You can't use Nickolai if your dd is Nikita.

Georgii is good too

What about Artem?

Ludo/Ludovic

The way we say it in Russian is Artiom or Artyom… I am not sure it can be pronounced easily … otherwaise Artem doesn’t sound right

Alexander is my favourite

I really dislike Ian and Philip

What about Hugo?

It's Артём? Didn't realise. Every day is a school day!