Is Alexander really, really popular?

[Bear2014]

We're due our second child this summer and it's been double-confirmed today to be a boy. We are fairly set on the name Alexander as it has strong family connections on my side (baby will have OH's surname) and we can't seem to agree on any others, as we have very different name tastes.

Just having a wobble about if it's too popular, really. There is one in DD's nursery group but no others that we know. We live in London.

Big sis is Eleanor.

[TheBookIsOnTheTable]

Strong, traditional, not TOOOO popular. A great name IMO. I think it's in the top 30 but not top 20, so there will be a few around but not tons.

[TheBookIsOnTheTable]

I also think it goes really well with Eleanor.

[celtiethree]

I like it and love the diminutives Sandy and Sasha. Not a fan of Alex though.

[GrumpySausage]

I don't know any baby Alexanders. I like it.

[DeborahFallis77]

I love it. It's one of my boy's middle names. It's a strong name & not too commonly used. I've only had a couple of Alexanders in 14 years of teaching. 😎

[BeeFarseer]

I have an Alexander William. So far, no other Alexanders around in our circles, although he informs me there's a 'girl Alex' in the year below him at school.

I love the name. We struggled naming our second boy because we loved Alexander that much and couldn't think of a name as good!

[shirleycartersaidso]

I love it and only know one who's 45.

[OddBoots]

It's a great name and has some nice nicknames if he finds he has another child with the same name in his class.

[finova]

Two in my son's class (aged 7).
Don't know any others though.

[BasicBetty]

I wouldn't say it's super popular. I know two (age 4 and 40). Great name.

[EweAreHere]

I know several, but it's a really nice name.

[GreenShadow]

We have an Alexander, and yes, we do come across quite a lot of other ones.... (but partly I guess, because we notice them)

[Allthebestnamesareused]

My oldest - 24 is one. (Alex for short). Originally going to be called James but there seemed to be loads. However when he went to school he was 1 of 4 . However youngest (15) only has 1 in his year group

[mouldycheesefan]

No I don't know any.
Love that name,it's what I would pick if I have had a boy

[Thatextrainch]

I know more toddler Alexander's than any other boys names. It has got to the point where I have to refer to them as 'Amy' s Alex' etc. My sil is also planning on calling her baby Alexander - I'm hoping she has a girl as I can't cope with any more(!)

[Bear2014]

Lots of positivity - thank you! I like Lex as a nickname. Also like Alec, as it is the Scottish side of the family that the name comes from.

[Bear2014]

Thatextrainch where do you live?

[Thatextrainch]

South East. I'm really not exaggerating but I have three friends with an Alex under 2. There's also at least 3 at a playgroup we go to (we wear name badges)) and at least another two at the library rhythm time (we sing a song introducing ourselves). It is an anomaly though- Alexander wasn't top 10 in 2015. Where I live boys seem to only be called one of Alexander, Ben, Tom or Oliver otherwise have a very uncommon names.

[Oly5]

Don't know any, also south east.
I love it!

[Sugarpiehoneyeye]

I like Alec too, also Aleric.

[Fifinella]

I'm in South London and yes, there are a lot. I have a 1 year old Alec and I still absolutely adore his name but Alex/Alexander is a consistent name at all baby groups I've been to for the last year; babies have come and gone but there's always at least one Alex or Alexander (as well as mine!).
It doesn't have to matter though, it's because it's a good solid name 😉

[Fifinella]

It was the 4th highest boys name in London in 2015 (after Mohammad, Oliver and Daniel) according to the ONS. Though I only know 1 Oliver and 1 Daniel under 4 so maybe my area just has all the Alexanders!

[britespark1]

That's my eldest DC's name and we love it. We call him Xander for short (can you guess my favourite tv show?!). Only ever come across one other at school, albeit ours is a small one.

[BuntyFigglesworthSpiffington]

I love the name Alex. In my experience adult Alexs are always really handsome!

Hate Alec and Sandy though and utterly, utterly loathe Xander. Xanders are all smug twits.

But Alex/ander is great! :)

[BuntyFigglesworthSpiffington]

Eeek, x-post with britespark.

Soz!