Evander Holyfield; Image by cliff1066™ via Flickr
Evan and Alexander have been popular for years. Why not this choice?
Thanks to Sarah for suggesting the winning Evander as our Baby Name of the Day.
Evander isn’t related to Evan. Evan is yet another international variant of the evergreen John, this time of the Welsh variety.
Evander and Alexander, on the other hand, share roots. Eunadros comes from eu – good – and andros – man.
In ancient myth, Euandros was a good guy, a Greek hero who founded a settlement near what would eventually become Rome. Evander hailed from Arcadia. Depending on who you ask, his dad was the messenger god Hermes or Mercury, or possibly just a regular ol’ king. Regardless, the son did pretty well for himself – not only did he found a new city, he also introduced the Greek alphabet, their system of laws and justice, and their gods to the future seat of the Roman Empire. He also features in the events of the Trojan War.
Other Evanders were plentiful, including a scholar from Athens and another in Crete. Little wonder the creators of HBO/BBC original series Rome picked it up as a character name.
Plenty of choices from the glory days of Greece and Rome have endured. Homer, Virgil and others were big from Colonial America into the early twentieth century, so it is no surprise to find Evander amongst early US Census results.
He may also have been an English equivalent of Iomhar, a Scottish version of the Old Norse Ivarr. That seems like a long shot – after all, McIver and McIvor persist as Scottish surnames and Ivor and Ivar have long histories of use. So let’s say Evander is not exactly a Scottish heritage choice, but you might find him floating around in your family tree. Evander McIver Law was a Confederate general during the Civil War.
If Evander is related to Ivarr, then he is also tied to the stylish Archer. Ivarr’s arr signifies a warrior; the first element suggests a bow.
The name appeared in the US Top 1000 just once, back in 1895, but he was in use throughout the nineteenth century.
Then came Evander Holyfield, a former heavyweight world champ, as well as an Olympic medalist. Despite strings of notable victories, he is perhaps best known as the victim of fellow boxer Mike Tyson’s bizarre ear-biting rage incident in 1997.
Others who answer to the name include:
- The NHL’s Evander Kane, currently with the Winnipeg Jets;
- Dutch footballer Evander Sno.
With Evan currently at #36, and a Top 100 pick since the 1980s, and Alexander at #6, and a Top 100 name since the 1970s, you would almost certainly expect parents to land on Evander as something different, but instantly familiar.
Instead, he remains obscure. Perhaps Holyfield’s notoriety gives parents pause. Or maybe those who embrace unusual names dislike his common short form, Evan, though Van could be an alternative.
All of this opens the door wide. Evander feels familiar and not too outlandish, and yet he is far less common than supposedly different choices, like Ryder or Weston, Justice or Jax. That’s a powerful combination!
Cathy says
December 22, 2014 at 9:30 AMWe just named our firstborn son Evander. He was born on 28th November 2014. We loved that the name was different, distinctive and strong, with a fab meaning. “eu/ev” is Greek for wholeness, goodness, truth, integrity, (and “ander” is from the Greek for “man”). We’ve had mixed responses, the negative mostly to do with “What is it going to be shortened to?” or “That’s not a family name…” but when we saw it on a baby name site some months ago, we instantly fell in love with it. And our little boy Evander totally looks the part 🙂 (Also we’re all white British! So he couldn’t look less like Evander Holyfield!)
Joy says
October 13, 2011 at 10:57 PMI had no idea it was an actual name with a history. I have always liked the boxer, for some odd reason. I really like the name!
As for Alaric, it sounds and looks “airy” but Evander sounds grounded. Just my two cents.
pennylark says
October 13, 2011 at 12:49 AMI thought this name sounded a bit trendy, so I am glad to hear it has history! Its probably that -er ending that gets me. I do like it though, and it would be a creative way to pass on my name, Vanessa, which makes me like it even more!
Charlotte Vera says
October 12, 2011 at 12:22 AMThis is one of my favourites and I’ve been meaning to suggest it to the DH as a possible hypothetical son’s name for a while, but something keeps holding me back. Naturally, I’m rather fearful that he will instantly shoot it down, but I think that part of my concern has to do with the name itself. I love it. I think it’s elegant, strong, and pleasing — and just a little bit feminine with that long emphasis on the middle syllable. One thing I like about Alaric’s name is that the emphasis (when we say it), is firmly placed on that first syllable. I think it makes the rather lengthy name sound zippy and even slightly macho, Evander doesn’t have quite the same brevity in sound. Anyone willing to try to dissuade me from my reservations?
Lemon says
October 12, 2011 at 10:15 PMC.V.,
I think Alaric and Evander are wonderful together! I see what you’re saying about the zippy flavor of Alaric’s name, and much of that probably does come from the strong first-syllable emphasis, but I think much of Evander’s strength and charm comes from his second-syllable emphasis. Try saying Evangeline versus Evander or even Alexander, which also emphasizes the “and” syllable. At least for me, Evander has much more presence than Evangeline because of that second syllable, thus giving him a masculine, rugged vibe. I wouldn’t worry that the Van part is too long, myself. The interplay between Alaric and Evander, particularly in their unique syllabic patterns, makes for an intriguing but well-matched set of boys. Does your Alaric go by a nickname? To me, Aly and Ev are really cool, but Ric and Van are just as playful and chic!
L
appellationmountain says
October 13, 2011 at 5:46 AMI think Alaric and Evander are well matched. There are an awful lot of girls with Ev- names, and even a few girls called Evan, but Evander, with that -ander ending and -van in the middle, feels undeniably masculine to me. Definitely a brother for Alaric!
Sarah A says
October 13, 2011 at 9:03 PMCharlotte, I love Evander as a brother for Alaric! I actually think that the differently placed stresses on the two names keeps them from sounding overly matchy. And I think Evander sounds really masculine with the long emphasis on the middle syllable, but probably because ‘Van’ reads totally male to me.
dreadedjaws says
October 11, 2011 at 7:59 PMI like Evander. Like a lot of boy names, it passed a short time on our long list – but it did hang on longer than some… it has a very soft sound, but with Holyfield, it is plenty tough-guy. I agree with previous comments – why isn’t this more popular?
Kristine says
October 11, 2011 at 6:17 PMI actually know an Evander! I always assumed his parents made it up. I very much like this name 🙂
Lemon says
October 11, 2011 at 5:55 PMEvander always reminds me of Lysander! Not a bad thing, but boy is the connection strong in my mind! I suppose Evander is better than Lysander, since Lys sounds like lice and Ly sounds like lie and Sander sounds like, um, a sander? Ha. Evander with Ev or Evy or Van or Anders is pretty neat.
Rosy says
October 11, 2011 at 5:08 PMI love all the ancient -ander names– Evander, Leander, and Lysander. Not sure how usable they are right now, though, seeing as I don’t know a single one in real life. Evander especially seems very current, but I can’t help wondering whether a non name-nerd would write it off as a smush between Evan and Alexander.
Emily says
October 11, 2011 at 4:31 PMI’m really surprised Evander isn’t more popular. I actually know two boys named Evan Alexander, so putting them together as Evander seems like it would appeal to a lot of parents.
Nook of Names says
October 11, 2011 at 3:33 PMEvander’s a fantastic name, one of many from the ancient world just screaming out to be used more.
Lou @ Mer de noms says
October 11, 2011 at 3:19 PMEvander has an almost ‘edgy’ feel to him, which likely appeals to the many parents who opt to use him over Alexander or even Evan.
Julie says
October 11, 2011 at 2:38 PMAnders and Andrew are family names. If this generation didn’t already have THREE Andrews, I’d consider Evander, but it’s too similar. As others have mentioned, I’m very surprised the name isn’t used more often, it’s a very nice name.
Harold LeVander was a governor of Minnesota. I’m only mentioning him so I can bring up that his widow was blessed with the name Iantha LeVander.
hyzen says
October 11, 2011 at 12:31 PMI had this on my list before my son was born, but my husband wasn’t on board–it was a cross between “like the boxer?” and “that’s a little out there”–still, I think it’s much more usable than many other Greek mythology type names, like Leander and Lysander (also on my list), precisely because Holyfield makes it simultaneously more familiar and less precious.
Lady Gwyn says
October 11, 2011 at 10:27 AMI have long had a love affair with the names Evander and Lysander, both are amazing. I also like the idea of Vander or Van as a nickname. I don’t know if the boxer is what most people would think of right away, though.
Sarah A-I don’t want Cordelia to get popular! I have had it as my top choice for years and if it got popular before I had a chance to use it, I might cry! Let’s keep Cordelia on the down low for now, kay?
Sarah A says
October 11, 2011 at 10:08 AMThanks for profiling this Abby! Evander reminds me much of names like Cordelia – I am in utter disbelief at how underused it continues to be.
We first heard Evander on HBO’s Rome and right on our long list he went. We love that he sounds ancient without being so overt, like Octavius or Tiberius. Evander is aces 🙂
Oh, and now I’m loving Van as a nn, totally hadn’t thought of that!
Lauren says
October 11, 2011 at 1:18 PMI’m a fan of names like Arturius and Octavian. Oldies (really oldies) but goodies.
SkyeRhyly says
October 11, 2011 at 9:21 AMI quite like it actually, but then I do like the name Evan. I’d pick the nickname Evy.
SkyeRhyly says
October 12, 2011 at 10:03 AMOr Vandy actually.
dotmyiis says
October 11, 2011 at 6:00 AMLoving Evander right now! Especially with the nickname Van… 🙂
Lauren says
October 11, 2011 at 5:57 AMI’m guessing there’s some kind of connection with Lysander here too. Evander is very cool – like a knight of the Round Table or a heavyweight boxer. Powerful but chivalrous.
K. says
October 11, 2011 at 2:58 AM‘ve never considered this name before your blog, but I find that I quite like it. The spelling reminds me of Lavender, which might be a no-no for some for its feminine association , but I don’t mind at all. Maybe it’s because I grew up with a male LaVender.
Also, I can imagine a teenage Evander going by the NN Vander or even Vader. I know I definitely would go by Vader ;D
waltzingmorethanmatilda says
October 11, 2011 at 2:34 AMI think this is such a handsome name! And Van would make a great nn.
I wonder if parents worry it will sound too much like female names such as Amanda or Miranda?