WDYT??

meredith73m · April 2009

Hi,

I recently found out we're having a boy. We were leaning toward Xander for a boy but have gotten a really negative response from almost everyone we've told... So much so that my husband is pretty much over the name. Now we're considering Chance. Any opinions?

Thanks!

EXL311 · April 2009

I love Xander! It's on our list of names and definitely one of my top choices. I had a friend named Chance but not fond of the name.

ALP · April 2009

I dont like Xander at all, friends of ours named their son that and it sounded like a made up super hero name to me, so sorry but not a fan. Plus his middle name started with a Y and their last name with a Z, so his initials were XYZ.

And Chance sounds like a dogs name to me.

DarcyLongfellow · April 2009

I've only ever heard of Xander as a nickname for Alexander. If you do this, I suspect you'd have more positive responses.

Chance is fine, but not my style at all. It seems sort of generic. And also kind of like a pet's name. (Like, you might name a rescue dog Chance because you gave him a second chance at life.) It's not awful, but I like Alexander a lot better.

soccerwife · April 2009

neither are really my style, but I prefer Chance to Xander.

djfacemachine · April 2009

I like Xander as a nickname for Alexander. I think it's cute! I'd "officially" name the kid Alexander but always call him Xander.

I don't like Chance... Chance is my dog's name lol.

yale · April 2009

Not fond of either. Sorry.

sophie080208 · April 2009

Isn't Xander (or Zander) a name for a male duck? For some reason that's what I always think of when I see this name. Chance isn't my style, I prefer more traditional names like Henry or James.

EastCoastBride · April 2009

ANY name you pick- there will be someone who doesn't like it. And the more off the beaten track you go, the more nay-sayers you're going to run into. I think you'll find a lot of people who won't like Chance either.

My advice (coming from someone who picked an uncommon name) - if you dont' want to hear negative feedback then don't tell people your names! I personally didn't care what peopel thought so I told people. MIL hates the name, but from the start I was like "get used to it.".

pr_alexander · April 2009

I agree with the pps that Xander is a cute nn for Alexander. Chance is okay but I like Chase better I think.

LMS05 · April 2009

I don't like either at all. I agree with pp that Chance sounds like a dog name.?

Lizzerd13 · April 2009

I agree. We are not sharing names either because at some point there will be someone who doesn't like it. The only people's opinion that matters are yours and your hubby's!!

oliviasmom08 · April 2009

I don't really like Chance. I agree that it sounds like a dog's name. I love Xander. We actually had this on our list for the first pg, and we got the same kind of responses that you did. I do like the suggestion to name him Alexander and use Xander as a nn. Could you convince your DH to do that? Honestly, it's YOUR child, so don't worry about what others think. If you guys love Xander, use it! GL deciding!!!

2linesin09 · April 2009

Xander as a nn is okay but as a formal name I don't think it works that well. It has that whoel Buffy the Vampire character ring to it. Like pp said - it sounds like a superhero.

As for Chance I really dislike it. For starters the whole pet thing other posters mentioned is instantly obviously. I also think it has a snooty ring to it (sorta like how I feel about the name Chase). I dunno it's very gossip girl-esque...