See the results of this poll: Which Name Do You Prefer and Why?
Respondents: 73 (This poll is closed)
- Benedict : 8 (11%)
- Leonidas : 8 (11%)
- Lysander : 15 (21%)
- Theodore: 42 (58%)
I voted for [name_m]Theodore[/name_m]. As well as being my favourite, I think it’s the most usable. With [name_m]Benedict[/name_m] I think [name_m]Ben[/name_m] would be a natural nickname, but I’m sure if you asked for it not to be used most people wouldn’t. I do like [name_m]Leonidas[/name_m] but I’m not sure how usable it is irl.
I love all of them, and I agree with you on with [name_m]Ben[/name_m]/[name_m]Benedict[/name_m]. I’d assume anyone called [name_m]Ben[/name_m] had the full name [name_m]Benjamin[/name_m], so [name_m]Benedict[/name_m] would be rather pointless in that case. Unfortunately (for the time being) I’ve decided against [name_m]Benedict[/name_m] (though it’s still on my list), because, well let’s say I have a crush with the name, and it’s kind of awkward. 
Although he’s the reason I feel it’s more usable. [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] seems to be increasing quite a bit in popularity, and though I like [name_u]Theo[/name_u], I prefer [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] in full, and I feel [name_u]Theo[/name_u] could be inevitable.
I love both [name_m]Lysander[/name_m] and [name_m]Leonidas[/name_m] (I have both as middles for my favourites), but apparently pronunciation could be an issue with [name_m]Leonidas[/name_m]. I was watching a show, and one contestant said [name_u]Lee[/name_u]-oh-nee-das, and the presenter said [name_u]Lee[/name_u]-on-I-das (in like in tin), but I say [name_m]Le[/name_m]-oh-ny-das. The first one makes some sense, but I haven’t a clue how she got to the 2nd one. Anyway, because of that, I think I’d go for [name_m]Lysander[/name_m]. [name_m]Lysander[/name_m] has some great character associations (for me) from both [name_m]Shakespeare[/name_m] and the [name_u]Charlie[/name_u] Bone series. Sorry for the ramble. 
I vastly prefer [name_m]Leo[/name_m] over [name_m]Leonidas[/name_m], but because [name_m]Leo[/name_m] itself was not an option, I chose [name_m]Theodore[/name_m].
[name_m]Theodore[/name_m] is my favorite, [name_m]Lysander[/name_m] my second choice. [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] has held a special place in my heart since I was a child. It is very handsome. I love the nicknames; [name_u]Teddy[/name_u], [name_m]Ted[/name_m], and [name_m]Bear[/name_m]. I much prefer [name_m]Bennett[/name_m] to [name_m]Benedict[/name_m]. [name_m]Benedict[/name_m] only reminds me of [name_m]Benedict[/name_m] [name_m]Arnold[/name_m]. I feel neutral about [name_m]Leonidas[/name_m].
[name_m]Benedict[/name_m] - I would use this, because I like the nn [name_m]Ned[/name_m] and prefer this way to get there over [name_m]Edward[/name_m] or [name_m]Edmund[/name_m]
[name_m]Leonidas[/name_m] - Prefer [name_m]Leander[/name_m]. [name_u]Love[/name_u] [name_m]Leander[/name_m]!
[name_m]Lysander[/name_m] - [name_f]My[/name_f] vote! [name_u]Love[/name_u] this too.
[name_m]Theodore[/name_m] - I like [name_u]Theo[/name_u], but prefer it to stand on it’s own.
I chose [name_m]Lysander[/name_m] but prefer [name_m]Leander[/name_m] also. I think of Eggs [name_m]Benedict[/name_m] - much prefer [name_m]Bennett[/name_m]. [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] is cute but I don’t like [name_u]Theo[/name_u]. And just no to [name_m]Leonidas[/name_m]. I don’t like it at all.
Thanks for all the feedback everyone, I think my decision is now between [name_m]Lysander[/name_m] and [name_m]Theodore[/name_m].
I chose [name_m]Benedict[/name_m] because I met the cutest little boy named [name_m]Benedict[/name_m] a couple months ago and am crushing on it. I like [name_m]Leonidas[/name_m] and [name_m]Lysander[/name_m], but I feel like they’re too out there. I like [name_u]Theo[/name_u], but despise [name_m]Theodore[/name_m].
Benedict - Too Catholic for me. And I don’t like Benedict Cumberbatch either.
Leonidas - Leonardo I love, Leonidas is so extremely hyper-masculine it feels too much for me. Also I think of 300. What if Leonidas isn’t a warrior born? I dunno, I don’t like it.
Lysander - My vote! Love this. On my own list. Gorgeous name. Pretty easy to read, uncommon, not so familiar as a legend the kid has a tremendous amount to live up to. No movie. 
Theodore - I like Theodora on a girl, but not especially fond of Theodore. T is a hard letter for me. If it’s not Tobias/Tobin I don’t really like any options for a boy.
I realize that I took this for a very personal spin and I freely admit Benedict etc. are USABLE just not my preferred. That was the question right? No offense intended in any of my likes/dislikes.
[name_m]Theodore[/name_m] is my favorite.
I can’t stand the sound of [name_m]Benedict[/name_m]. [name_f]IMO[/name_f], it sounds haughty and harsh. I don’t know how to say [name_m]Leonidas[/name_m]. And [name_m]Lysander[/name_m] sounds hoity toity to me. But that’s just me.
[name_m]Benedict[/name_m] for me is currently owned by [name_m]Benedict[/name_m] Cumberbatch. I’m not using this name while he’s in the wind, but it is my second favourite on your list.
I voted for [name_m]Leonidas[/name_m] ^^ [name_m]Leonidas[/name_m] is one of my favourite names. I always though of him as the most romantic/frilly of all the [name_m]Leo[/name_m]-names, and that his warrior connection to 300 is a happy one because it draws attention away from the elaborateness of [name_m]Leonidas[/name_m]. I also love how unexpected it is!
[name_m]Theodore[/name_m] is getting the most votes, but I could easily have guessed that from just looking at your options. It’s the people-pleaser of the bunch. For that reason alone, I would actually avoid it.
[name_m]Lysander[/name_m] is sweet, but I can’t stand [name_f]Sandra[/name_f] so it feels too reminiscent of that.
Thanks for the continued feedback! I appreciate it all, and don’t worry, stripedsocks, you interpreted my question correctly. As I said before, it’s come down to [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] and [name_m]Lysander[/name_m], and I think the winner here must be [name_m]Lysander[/name_m] purely because although I’ve always liked [name_m]Theodore[/name_m], I’ve always had a few issues with the -dore ending.
For those of you unsure on how to pronounce [name_m]Leonidas[/name_m], I personally pronounce it as lee-oh-nye-duhs. However, I’m not sure if that’s the “correct” pronunciation or not.
Thank you all so much again!
I prefer [name_m]Theodore[/name_m]. It’s a solid, versatile, and underused classic. And [name_u]Theo[/name_u] is so cute.
[name_m]Lysander[/name_m] has had a soft spot in my heart since I first heard it through the [name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m] grapevine. [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] is a close second.