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Andie as a nn for Alexandra?

35 replies

SurfsUp1 · 25/11/2014 21:44

Andie as a nn for Alexandra?
What do you think of this as a name for a baby girl?

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SwedishEdith · 25/11/2014 21:48

Could you not just use Andrea? Alexandra is gorgeous but Andie seems a bit of a contrived nickname

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SurfsUp1 · 25/11/2014 22:23

Do you think? I just thought it was more derived from the second half (…andra) than the first half?
I know it's not one of the standard shortenings, but it didn't seem too far out to be reasonable? Is it more of a stretch than I'm imagining?

Not keen on Andrea I'm afraid - sounds terrible with an Australian accent and we're in Sydney. It seems a very middle aged name here.

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Gobbolinothewitchscat · 25/11/2014 22:28

Sorry but I would think you were being terrible pretentious

But, I'm not really keen on nicknames in any event and have a particular dislike of anything that appears to be a tortious derivation done pre-birth rather than a natural consequence one used so feel free to ignore me!

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SanityClause · 25/11/2014 22:28

I think it's fine.

I also think Alexandra will give your DD lots of opportunities to choose different nicknames - Alex, Ally, Lexi, Sandy, - as well as Andie.

Lovely name.

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Gobbolinothewitchscat · 25/11/2014 22:29

Ps - I like Alexandra as a name though!

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SanityClause · 25/11/2014 22:30

I know a Charlotte who is never called anything but Lottie. If you introduce her as Andie, that is what she will be called.

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SurfsUp1 · 25/11/2014 22:32

Gobbolinothewitchscat I'm afraid I'll have to ignore that. This is Australia - land of the nickname!! It is INCREDIBLY important here to know which nn you want to use because there is almost zero chance of avoiding a nn. The main way to be seen as pretentious here would be to insist on being referred to by your full name all the time. Grin

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SwedishEdith · 25/11/2014 22:32

I suppose it could work, just never thought about it. Alexandra is such a gorgeous name I'd want to use it in full. Smile

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Leeds2 · 25/11/2014 22:35

If I had an Alexandra, I would insist that she be called by her full, lovely, name.

If I had to have a nickname, I would choose Alex, or Lexi.

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SanityClause · 25/11/2014 22:39

Yes! SurfsUp. That's so true. I'd never really thought about it, but when I hear, say, a Victoria introduce herself by her whole name instead of Vicky, do think she's a bit up herself!

Of course, she's probably not, but it's just my Australian upbringing coming to the fore. Interesting!

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SanityClause · 25/11/2014 22:40

I do think....

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SurfsUp1 · 25/11/2014 22:42

Leeds2 see my earlier post? That doesn't work in Australia (unless you want to look like a bit of a twit) Wink

I had this discussion with a group of friends the other week because I really like the name Elizabeth and it goes beautifully with our surname, but I'm not particularly keen on any of the nns. The problem is that while I could go ahead and just call her Elizabeth I'd be flying solo and everyone else (maybe with the exception of one of her Gms) would refer to her by a shortened version. It's just the way it is.

My DS is Leo - so far no nn, but I can guarantee you that by high school he'll be referred to by his surname with a "y" attached to the end.

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SurfsUp1 · 25/11/2014 22:48

I don't know that I would automatically think that she was up herself, but if her friends were calling her Vic or Tors or something (and we know they would!) and she corrected them then I'd think she was a real wally. Even worse are mothers who correct people who correct people about their children's names.

It's hard to explain to people in the UK just how pervasive nns are here. It's practically compulsory!

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SurfsUp1 · 25/11/2014 22:48

Last post was to SanityClause

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DramaAlpaca · 25/11/2014 22:52

I like it, OP, it's a bit different.

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xXjunebugXx · 25/11/2014 23:06

I like it, it would work. I'm not keen on most names that are longer for Andie. I was high up on my list at one point but the Mr decided he didn't like it anymore. I had Alexandra and Miranda as longer options. I also think it is just lovely on it's own.

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Gobbolinothewitchscat · 26/11/2014 07:32

surfs Grin. Yes - do ignore me then! Grin

I do really like Elizabeth too. Is Lizzy as a nickname a no go? Think I prefer it to Andie. gets stuck in to nicknames

Or....what about a name that really couldn't be shortened? Do you like Eve?

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TidyDancer · 26/11/2014 07:38

It's okay, but Alex is much nicer. Alexandra is a very beautiful name.

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SurfsUp1 · 26/11/2014 08:27

Gobbolinothewitchscat

Eve would then just be changed to Evie. And probably be Evie 1, Evie 2, Evie 3 etc because those names are just as common here at the mo as they are in the UK. Little Eves, Evas, Avas etc EVERYWHERE!

I don't mind the nn thing so long as I like the nn.

Not keen on Lizzy or any of the other nns for Elizabeth unfortunately.

TidyDancer Alex is OK, but it is my BF's son's nn as well as an unpopular uncle. Prefer it for boys anyway.

Man this is hard!!

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SurfsUp1 · 26/11/2014 08:29

xXjunebugXx I LOVE Miranda, but DH isn't keen.

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florascotia · 26/11/2014 08:40

What about Xandra (as used by fashion designer Xandra Rhodes)?

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Northumberlandlass · 26/11/2014 08:42

I quite like Andie as a name.
I loved Pretty in Pink.
I don't really know why you just don't call her Andie if you like it so much Smile

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Gobbolinothewitchscat · 26/11/2014 20:01

I really like Xandra

But.....would people think it was "Sandra"? Do you like Sandra in case there is confusion............

Also, I do believe you, btw! how can Eve be "shortened" to Evie? That's a longer name?! My pedant self is outraged!

I wouldn't be allowed to emigrate to Australia, would I?

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Gobbolinothewitchscat · 26/11/2014 20:01

I like Miranda too, but I am concerned about nicknames of "Randy" etc.

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petitdonkey · 26/11/2014 20:07

My first thought was that it didn't come naturally from Alexandra until I realised that you probably pronounce it with a short second 'a' then it makes perfect sense as the 'and' is very clear. Just thought I would point this out as some MN may be pronouncing it Alex-arnd'ra which then doesn't make as much sense. Make sense???!

FWIW though, I am Rebecca and can't stand anyone other than very old friends shortening my name but I promise I am not 'up myself'!! I would correct anyone who took it upon themselves to call me Becky as I have never been a Becky Grin

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