Name of the Week

 
A classical playwright favourite with a sound that falls between Linus and Alexander.

Origin:

From the Greek name Λυσανδρος (Lysandros). It derives from the Greek λύσις (lysis) meaning "to loosen," "to seperate," or "to release" and ανδρος (andros) "a man."

Usage:

The name has always had rare usage in Britain and is found more often as a middle name.  In 2010 the name ranked #2199 with 9 births in England and Wales.

Famous Bearers:

* Lysander was a great Spartan general who defeated the Athenians during the Peloponnesian War. * Shakespeare used the name in A Midsommer Nights Dream as the lover of Hermia.  * George Chapman's play The Widow's Tears (1612) centers around two brothers; Lysander and Tharsalio.  * A major character named Lysander features in Lodowick Carlell's play The Deserving Favourite (1629) which also features two partner-swapping pairs.  * William Davenant borrowed the names Lysander and Clarinda from Carlell for a similar pair of characters in The Unfortunate Lovers (1638). * Lysander Button was an inventor who worked on early improvements of steam engines.  * Three ships in the Royal navy have been given the name HMS Lysander.

Variants:

Lysandros (Greek) Lisandro (Spanish)

Pronunciation:

lie-SAN-də [key]

Possible Diminutives:

Anders, Andy, Lander, Lyle, Sander, Sandy, Xander

Sibling Names:

Hermione     Ophelia      Romola     Livia     Sidonie     Acacia  Rafferty     Atticus     Maximus     Fabian     Thaddeus    Leonidas

Name Lists:

Modern Antiquity   Shakespearean

If you like Lysander you may also like:   Leander, Orlando, Leandro, Theoden, Evander, Bertrand, Ferdinand, Constantin, Leonardo, Lorcan