Xander or Zander?

BlckRoses · December 2013

I'm wondering which is one is more 'correct'. I looked them both up on Behind the Name and they had listings for both names, but Zander was listed as a variant of Xander. I'd also be open to Alexander with the nickname Z/Xander. Any thoughts would be helpful!

Helenahhandbasket · December 2013

I like Xander.

Zander seems like the dumbed down spelling.

FrecklesInside · December 2013

IMO both are NNs for Alexander and fall in the trying too hard category for stand alone FNs, That said, Xander makes more sense as a spin off of Alexander. I agree with PP about Zander.

drunkindonuts · December 2013

Alexander nn Xander
I agree with pp that Zander/Xander as standalone names fall into the "trying too hard" category!

BlckRoses · December 2013

Thanks everyone! I'll add it to the list as Alexander with a nick name of Xander. In that vein, DH likes Alexander, but prefer Lex as a nickname. I'm not sold on that for no reason in particular, just prefer Xander as the nickname instead of Lex.

Any thoughts on Lex either way?

Helenahhandbasket · December 2013

BlckRoses said:

Thanks everyone! I'll add it to the list as Alexander with a nick name of Xander. In that vein, DH likes Alexander, but prefer Lex as a nickname. I'm not sold on that for no reason in particular, just prefer Xander as the nickname instead of Lex.
Any thoughts on Lex either way?

It's OK. I know an Alexander that goes by Al, and I actually like that best.

drunkindonuts · December 2013

I think nicknames are meant to form naturally. Choose a good name and don't worry about the nicknames:). With a name like Alexander, he'll have plenty of options!

allardr · December 2013

This one if a boy will be Xander for us. Xander is correct to me as the name is a shortened form of Alexander. I feel like people change it to Z just because an X in this position sounds like a Z so they just put a Z.

I like it because Alexander is traditional & classic but a little boring for my taste. This is a more modern twist to the name.

JaysonandKristin · December 2013

I like Xander.

Nuclearcupcake · December 2013

Xander!

Skeemer · December 2013

I like Xander more than Zander.

I don't care for Lex. It has a feminine ring to it IMO probably because of the ever popular Lexi a while back.

WashingtonQueen · December 2013

My son's name is Xander.

ClaireHuxtable · December 2013

I really like the name Xander. I consider it a name in it's own right not a nn.

bullybutt · December 2013

I would rather call him Alex than any of the other names. I think Xander is trying too hard.

JuniperGaze · December 2013

Definitely Xander and as a NN for Alexander. I love this name!

ClaireHuxtable · December 2013

LOL @ all the "trying to hard" comments.

BlckRoses · December 2013

ClaireHuxtable said:

LOL @ all the "trying to hard" comments.

I was wondering about that, trying too hard to do what exactly?

WashingtonQueen · December 2013

BlckRoses said:

ClaireHuxtable said:

LOL @ all the "trying to hard" comments.

I was wondering about that, trying too hard to do what exactly?

Haha! Right? I consider "trying too hard" to be a name that has a unique spelling or that's made up all together. I mean really, THAT would be a name that is trying too hard.

WashingtonQueen · December 2013

bromios said:

BlckRoses said:

ClaireHuxtable said:

LOL @ all the "trying to hard" comments.

I was wondering about that, trying too hard to do what exactly?

I think trying to be "cool" by starting with an unusual consonant. Also, for me, there's the fact that Xander is a name in a TV series featuring such gems as Willow, Buffy, Angel, Cordelia, "Oz" Osbourne, Rupert, Drusilla, and Spike, all of which are DEFINITELY trying too hard.

As parents of a Xander I will say that the letter "X" had nothing to do with choosing the name. And I have never watched a single episode of Buffy. I didn't even know Xander was a name in the series until this board.

breadpudding · December 2013

I think Alexander is much better and Xander as a NN. Not a big fan of Xander as a FN. Like others stated above... Don't dumb down the spelling to Zander.

ClaireHuxtable · December 2013

@WashingtonQueen - ::fist bump::

WashingtonQueen · December 2013

@ClaireHuxtable

queenbone · December 2013

BlckRoses said:

Thanks everyone! I'll add it to the list as Alexander with a nick name of Xander. In that vein, DH likes Alexander, but prefer Lex as a nickname. I'm not sold on that for no reason in particular, just prefer Xander as the nickname instead of Lex.
Any thoughts on Lex either way?

Lex as a NN sounds like he is going for a Superman reference. Not a fan. Alexander NN Xander is very nice.

TanaDionne · January 2014

Like Sander...with an S.

WashingtonQueen · January 2014

TanaDionne said:

Like Sander...with an S.

Umm, what? :-/

pipeTsquared · January 2014

Xander

As a nn for Alexander, dont like it as a stand alone name

I dont view it as a 'try to hard name' but do think of it as a bit of a 'posh boy' name/nick name. But there is nothing wrong with it

Hooper88 · January 2014

I am naming my son who is due in May Xander and I ABSOLUTELY love it!! I actually dislike the name Alexander and the NN Alex. I also think Zander just doesn't look quite right.

Jags8 · January 2014

Xander, because it comes from Alexander

Jags8 · January 2014

BlckRoses said:

Thanks everyone! I'll add it to the list as Alexander with a nick name of Xander. In that vein, DH likes Alexander, but prefer Lex as a nickname. I'm not sold on that for no reason in particular, just prefer Xander as the nickname instead of Lex.
Any thoughts on Lex either way?

I think of "Lex" as a girl nn. I know a few girls named Alexis who we call Lex.

TripMomma · January 2014

My son is Xander. We love it.

TripMomma · January 2014

bromios said:

BlckRoses said:

ClaireHuxtable said:

LOL @ all the "trying to hard" comments.

I was wondering about that, trying too hard to do what exactly?

I think trying to be "cool" by starting with an unusual consonant. Also, for me, there's the fact that Xander is a name in a TV series featuring such gems as Willow, Buffy, Angel, Cordelia, "Oz" Osbourne, Rupert, Drusilla, and Spike, all of which are DEFINITELY trying too hard.

I happen to love both Willow and Cordelia...don't find them to be "trying too hard" at all. We did watch the show, and the Xander from the show is actually Alexander with Xander being his nn. I am not a huge fan of Alexander, we just liked Xander by itself. The 'X' being cool was not part of why we liked the name at all.

oliversbear · January 2014

bromios said:

I think trying to be "cool" by starting with an unusual consonant. Also, for me, there's the fact that Xander is a name in a TV series featuring such gems as Willow, Buffy, Angel, Cordelia, "Oz" Osbourne, Rupert, Drusilla, and Spike, all of which are DEFINITELY trying too hard.

I'll agree that Xander is trying too hard to be uber cool, but Cordelia? Really? It's a very old name.

But for the OP, if you must choose one, Xander, but I'd definitely pick Alexander though I'd use Sandy or Sandro as nicknames.

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