Alexander, Sandy for short

[Gateau]

I would prefer that the proper name was not shortened, but this will inevitably happen. There are loads of Alexes around and I think Sandy is a really sweet alternative. Ihave known two Sandys and they were both Scottish-I think it is a Scottish name.
Thoughts?

[moopymoo]

like it, was on our list. Though prefer Xander/Zander as shortened version. Sandy often short for Sandra.

[Gateau]

I like those alternatives but I can't help thinking he would automatically get Alex, so it kind of puts me off calling him - that is if baby is a 'he' - Alexander.

[TAFKAtheUrbanDryad]

I love Sandy as a shortening for Alexander, but be prepared for everyone to call him Alex. My friend's ds is Alexander James, and we call him Sandy Jim.

It is a bit of a faff if you call your ds a long name which you then don't want shortened - i know a Benjamin who is never to be called Ben. Personally, we chose long names that could be shortened so my dc know when they're in trouble - I yell the long name (with added middle name if really serious) which tends to stop ds in his tracks. Dd still too little to care what her name is, shortened or otherwise!

[nappyaddict]

I like Sandy as a shortening. All the Alexanders round here seem to be known as Alex or Xander.

[Gateau]

"It is a bit of a faff if you call your ds a long name which you then don't want shortened".
I agree. You hve to really like the shortened version when you pick a name, don't you?

[Gateau]

So how is Xander prounounced?

[TAFKAtheUrbanDryad]

Zander.

I love Alexander as a name because it's so versatile. He can be Sandy/Xander/Alex - and when he's old enough he can choose for himself which he prefers.

My dd is Meredith, we call her Merry now, but when she's older she can be Edith/Edie or use her full name!

[VAB]

Xander is pronounced - 'Zander'.

I don't like Sandy for a boy - it just seems a bit wet, especially when they are a teenager. I can't imagine them liking it during those difficult years with a 'girls' name.

Sorry. What about Lex?

[ihatemyjob]

There are tons of Alexanders in out family and we have yet to have an Alex! None of them ever had a problem with being called Alex either! My grandfather was nicknamed Lexy (in the 1920's). My Dad Sandy and my nephew Xan. My nephew is in his 20s now and I have yet to meet any other Xan. Have heard of a few Xanders but only since Buffy the Vampire Slayer was on tv!

[senua]

I read a book (sorry forgotten its title) about a dashing war hero called Alexander, shortened to Xan.

[ExtraFancy]

I've got an Alexander but we call him Alex - interestingly enough, I don't know any others round here/in family.

We call him Sandy Panda as he is very blonde

[ExtraFancy]

As a nickname I mean - not in public LOL!

[Gateau]

Alexander is really lovely; very strong.There is an Alexander at the head of our family - ie the first person on our family tree, and it's also DH's middle name. So it would be very appropriate. Maybe we could have it as a middle name.
Alexandra is also lovely for a girl; not that popular.
I just wish it wouldn't always get shortened - or maybe it wouldn't if it was my DS's name. Some boys'/men's names never get shortened.

[Annabelsmummie]

I've known too many female Sandys - short for Sandra - so for me it sounds quite feminine.

I agree that Alexander is lovely, but Alex is a little dull and very common (for Alexanders, Alexis', Alexandras etc), so unless you wouldn't mind Alex as nn, I wouldn't chose it.

Same with Benedict or Benjamin - lovely names but I find Ben dull and common.

We're avoiding this by chosing a 2 syllable name that won't inevitably be shortened (although you never know...).

[magbags]

I like Alexander but prefer it shortened to Alex. Sandy is (for me) a bit too feminine for a boy. Alex may be popular, but for good reason! ie it's lovely.

[Pingpong]

Sandy is a popular nn for Alexander in Scotland. I like it

[CaractacusPotty]

ds1 is Alexander and I would rather it wasn't shortened to Alex as BiL is an Alex. We normally call him Alexander but if I do shorten it I use 'Sandy' so that hopefully, when the name inevitably gets shortened at school, that is what it is shortened to. And round these parts, Sandy is definitely not girly!!!

[pointydog]

I liek Sandy. A cousin of mine is Sandy (scottish, yes)

[mumoftoomany]

To me Sandy also sounds feminine, but that's because my best friend at school was Sandra .

[Bleatblurt]

I have an Alexander. He is ALWAYS called by his full name.

My mum keeps trying hard to shorten it but I think she's got the hint now and has stopped. Everyone else usually asks if it's Alex or Alexander then sticks with what I say.

I do occasionally call him Xander or Xandy. But he's only 19 months so I think I can get away with Xandy a bit longer.

[SarahL2]

I have an Alexander and we picked it because it is so versatile and we liked all of the nicknames we could think of.

Mine is usually Alex - not very many around - and sometimes Xander but he's only 2 so I'm sure he'll pick his own when he's bigger.

I now have a problem cause we're expectng DC2 and if it's a boy, we've got to try and think of an equally lovely and versatile name!!!

[OrmIrian]

DS#1 is an Alexander. Usually Alex. But Sandy is good too. I knew a Scottish Sandy.

[OrmIrian]

BTW DS usually gets called Al by his mates.

[KnackeredOldHag]

DS1 is Alexander here as well. He's usually Alex, just because it somehow seems to fit him better. I prefer Alec to Alex though if I'm honest.

Also dreading the inevitable shortening to Al though as he gets older...