If I love Alexander but dislike Alex...

[MrsMichelRouxJr]

So Alexander is about the only boy's name DH and I can agree on at the moment. I also love Henry but DH doesn't... (he is quick to veto all my suggestions but never comes up with any of his own!!).

Anyway, I love Alexander but I'm really not keen on Alex (reminds me of a wet, drippy boy I used to know).

My question is are there other nicknames that I haven't considered? I'm not keen on Xander (sounds weird and a bit forced/try hard to me). The only one I'm close to liking is Ali, but I'm also concerned its a bit girly.

In theory I would be happy to just call him Alexander but I know in reality it is a very long name to be shouting in the playground. Also other people would shorten it and he will get called Alex for sure unless we start using a different nickname for him early on.

Any other names I might like?? DD is Naomi. I just can't find a boys name I like - it can't start with W, N, E or M.

Help!!!

[noblegiraffe]

Sandy? Lex?

[petalsandstars]

Alec was the shortened version in my wider family

[chairmeoh]

I know an Alexander who is called Sandy day-to-day. I must admit it took a bit of getting used to at first, but now he's a toddler I think it really suits him.

[AuditAngel]

We use DS's second name. His first U.S. Alessandro and one uncle has nicknamed him Ali V

[Spydra]

Xander and Ali are both fine options.

[Sophronia]

Alec is my favourite.

Also...

Lex
Sandy
Sander
Al
Xan / Zan
Andy
Sasha / Sacha

[PresidentTwonk]

Lex!

[MrsMichelRouxJr]

Thanks everyone!

Hmm I know a girl called Sandy so think it'll always be a girl's name/nn to me, same with Sasha.

Lex is cool but the first thing I think of is Lex Luther - not sure if that's a good thing or not!! It could definitely grow on me though. It's sounding better the more I say it in my head.

I have an irrational dislike for Xander, no idea why.

Alec reminds me of Alec Baldwin and so whenever I hear it I picture a bald man!! Strange how our brains work in terms of associations.

That's very helpful though. Ali and Lex are contenders...

[AnyPostToday]

My brother is christened Alex not alexander but gets called zane sometimes by a group of friends, I guess it's a shortening of zander.

[Babylove2015]

Even if you call him Sandy/ Xander etc. If he ends up in a professional job, chances are he is going to want to be referred to Alex not Sandy!

[IsItMeOr]

Sandy is a standard Scottish nickname for Alexander.

[IsItMeOr]

Ali sounds like an abbreviation for Alistair to me.

I couldn't get Lex Luther out of my head either...

[Hobbes8]

Alec Baldwin isn't bald.

[NaughtToThreeSadOnions]

I know an Alexander that's ally, not sure why but does the y make it more masculine!?

[IHeartKingThistle]

So you hate ALL the shortened versions of the name you like?

Yeah, I don't think you can use the name to be honest! You won't get to choose the nickname he uses for himself.

[sleepyhead]

Alastair is the gaelic version of Alexander, so Ali still works as a shortening imo (Alastair was used as a differentiating "nickname" for a couple of the many Alexanders in my extended family over the years).

[PoshPenny]

A little Alexander I know has his shortened to Xander if that's of any help

[NaughtToThreeSadOnions]

I know it's a name in its own right but alexis?

[JakeyBurd]

Eck - a top short form in Scotland!

[MrsMichelRouxJr]

Hobbes8 - yes I know he's not actually bald, it's his surname, BALDwin that gives me the image in my head when I hear the name Alec. Strange I know but I can't shake it.

I like Ally and Ali as a nn.

I do realise that he will very likely be called Alex though whether I like it or not. It's just whether I can make my peace with Alex enough. I'm not sure I can but we have no other names we agree on yet. Why are boys names so hard!!!

[Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost]

If you dislike Alex. Think of something else. If you do go with it, your ds might decide he wants to be known as Alex, and you can't stop him.
I know an Alexander known as Lexi, none of my business but a but effeminate in my opinion.

[Ward3]

My friend has an Alexander and always uses the nickname Sasha
Could also be spelled Sacha/Sascha

[Hobbes8]

Well you never know, when you meet your baby a bald old man's name might suit him perfectly!

[IAmLynetteScavo]

I know of an Alexander (child) who goes by Lex. His parents embrace the superman link and he appears to too. He absolutely refuses to be called Alex, and his parents really despise it so I think they've drummed it into him that Alex isn't his name.

Ultimately, though, you need to bear in mind that it's not your name, it's your child's, and they may well choose to use a shortening you dislike in the future. If you're ok with that then go for it.