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Original poster

To think you shouldn’t call your child Alexander if you don’t like the name Alex?

164 replies

Suchsharpteeth · 06/11/2024 20:58

I met my boyfriend who introduced himself to me as Alex. His friends call him Alex, if we go anywhere and book a meal or book a hotel etc he gives the name Alex.

His family call him Zan. When I’m around them if I call him Alex they go crazy. They say he’s never been an Alex and it’s just not his name. I say well that’s what I call him because that’s how he introduced himself and he doesn’t mind that I call him that. His mum gets annoyed when I call him Alex so I have started referring to him as Zan when I am around her just to keep the peace, but sometimes I forget and she goes into a huff saying “it’s just not his name, i hate the name, I should’ve called him xander” is it just me or is it daft to call your child Alexander and not expect people to shorten it to Alex?? And if he’s fine with Alex then it’s not really her business?!

OP posts:
Original poster
Suchsharpteeth · 06/11/2024 21:26

some of these comments are really making me laugh 😂😂

OP posts:
SnapdragonToadflax · 06/11/2024 21:25

It is very silly... but my mum called me a name with a very common nickname, which I prefer, and she loathes it. She wouldn't be so rude as to tell people off, but she really hates the name and certainly wouldn't call me it. My family are the only people who use my full name (and even then, my 'cool' much younger aunt and uncle use my nickname).

She says it didn't occur to her that people would use the nickname.

TwilightAb · 06/11/2024 21:25

I have an Alexander. He's been known from day 1 as Xander. I'm not a fan of Alex but love the name Alexander / Xander. Ultimately if he wants to be known as Alex when he's older than that is absolutely fine and totally his choice (he's only 3). The only people that call him Alex currently are health professionals as he's obviously down as Alexander at the doctors.

Garlicpest · 06/11/2024 21:24

Suchsharpteeth · 06/11/2024 21:12

He has told them tbh. But they won’t hear of it. Once we were at a family meal and the food needed to be pre ordered, so when they brought the dishes out they shouted out people’s names. So they shouted “Alex” when his dish came out and his cousin was like “why is he calling you Alex?!” And he said because that’s my name!!
They don’t listen

Edited
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Can't blame him for wanting to distance himself from this bunch of prats!

You could alternate at random between Al, Alex, Ally, Lex, Lexi, Exan (I made that one up), Zan, Xander and maybe even Anders. See how long it takes for one them to actually go purple 😉

fashionqueen0123 · 06/11/2024 21:23

Suchsharpteeth · 06/11/2024 21:12

He has told them tbh. But they won’t hear of it. Once we were at a family meal and the food needed to be pre ordered, so when they brought the dishes out they shouted out people’s names. So they shouted “Alex” when his dish came out and his cousin was like “why is he calling you Alex?!” And he said because that’s my name!!
They don’t listen

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I once self my husbands house (when we first met) and my MiL denied there was any one of his shortened name there. The name he told me he was called.

SimpleThings101 · 06/11/2024 21:23

Moonshiners · 06/11/2024 21:17

We have a male Lexy in our family. I love it. He hasn't lost his balls because he has a typically female nickname.

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Phew 😅

Season 4 Episode 6 GIF by Friends
MereDintofPandiculation · 06/11/2024 21:22

SimpleThings101 · 06/11/2024 21:02

I’d call him Sandy

Could also call him Sasha

PoorlyBlah · 06/11/2024 21:22

I personally love the name Alex! (and Alexander!) All the loveliest people are called Alex so you have a keeper there in your boyfriend! 😉👍 I know a few Alex's, have a few in the family too, and I've never met a nasty Alex 😊

I was wondering if maybe he's named after an Alex that his mum no longer likes? (his dad??/cousin?/mums friends?) Or maybe there is some recent history with an Alex that the mum doesn't like?

Yes, agree it's weird to call your son a name you actually don't like!

JawsCushion · 06/11/2024 21:21

My son has a name that can be shortened but we never did. Ex h cousin did and I said no. At secondary school his name was shortened and when school rang me I did so oh, you mean full name? Now his mates mainly call him his full name but I'm sure some use a shortened version. I soon learnt that once they leave home one can't dictate. Call him Alex. Don't pander to her.

Original poster
Suchsharpteeth · 06/11/2024 21:20

grumpygrape · 06/11/2024 21:15

I'm with this.

What does he say to his mother ?

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Also it’s not just his mum, it’s his whole family. Every single member of his family calls him zan. He only started going by Alex at college

OP posts:
Willyoujustbequiet · 06/11/2024 21:19

NeverDropYourMooncup · 06/11/2024 21:15

Your fault for dating somebody whose Mum was a massive Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan.

Bet she had a cat called Willow, too.

I know a Spike because of it!

The 90s kid in me is now thinking Xander is definitely cooler than Alex lol

Original poster
Suchsharpteeth · 06/11/2024 21:18

grumpygrape · 06/11/2024 21:15

I'm with this.

What does he say to his mother ?

Show quote history

He tells her Alex is his name and that’s what everyone calls him and to stfu basically. But she is adamant that he has been zan all of his life and THAT is his name. To her, calling him Alex is along the same lines as me calling him rupert. She sees it as a completely different name. Of course she’s bonkers

OP posts:
Gingerbee · 06/11/2024 21:18

SimpleThings101 · 06/11/2024 21:02

I’d call him Sandy

Me too. Much more friendly

Dotto · 06/11/2024 21:18

Call him Babycakes or something instead, see how they like that!

Moonshiners · 06/11/2024 21:17

WickedlyCharmed · 06/11/2024 21:06

People are calling men Lexy?

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We have a male Lexy in our family. I love it. He hasn't lost his balls because he has a typically female nickname.

grumpygrape · 06/11/2024 21:15

WickedlyCharmed · 06/11/2024 21:05

I much prefer Zan.

Anyway, Zan needs to man up and explain to his mum that he introduces himself to everyone as Alex, rather than standing by like a limp lettuce and letting his mum give you a hard time.

I'm with this.

What does he say to his mother ?

Hardtobepositivesometimes · 06/11/2024 21:15

My son is called Alexander. My late DH, his Dad, would only ever call him Alexander because he loved the name.
I've called him Alexander, Alex, Zander and Zan at various times. But usually I call him Alex because that's what he likes to be called.
We all agree though that we absolutely hate the name Sandy so he never gets called that.

I think your bf has the right to chose whichever version of his name HE likes best and wants to be called. And his family should respect his choice.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 06/11/2024 21:15

Your fault for dating somebody whose Mum was a massive Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan.

Bet she had a cat called Willow, too.

LurkingFromTheShadows · 06/11/2024 21:15

My son is Alexander and I hate Alex 😆 Difference is, if he's ok with it, it's his choice what he wants to be known as and I wouldn't tell people what to call him (or what not to). DH and I use Alexander. My mum used Alex recently and our son actually told her he didn't like that 😅
Good thing about Alexander is he has lots of variations: Alex, Alec, Sandy, Zander. But at the end of the day, it's his name and he will ultimately choose.

Original poster
Suchsharpteeth · 06/11/2024 21:12

WickedlyCharmed · 06/11/2024 21:05

I much prefer Zan.

Anyway, Zan needs to man up and explain to his mum that he introduces himself to everyone as Alex, rather than standing by like a limp lettuce and letting his mum give you a hard time.

He has told them tbh. But they won’t hear of it. Once we were at a family meal and the food needed to be pre ordered, so when they brought the dishes out they shouted out people’s names. So they shouted “Alex” when his dish came out and his cousin was like “why is he calling you Alex?!” And he said because that’s my name!!
They don’t listen

OP posts:
freddyfluffball · 06/11/2024 21:11

Mine was Ally when he was little, I might try to make that stick again.

coxesorangepippin · 06/11/2024 21:09

Alexander/Alexandra= Alex.

It's just life

SimpleThings101 · 06/11/2024 21:09

WickedlyCharmed · 06/11/2024 21:06

People are calling men Lexy?

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Yes, but … Im in Ireland so 🤷🏼‍♀️
I mean we have a champion male jockey called Ruby so … 🤷🏼‍♀️

UmopapIsdn · 06/11/2024 21:08

I have an Alexander and don’t like the name Alex at all. Though I’ve alway accepted that friends might call him that. I’d never cause a drama about it! He's Alexander to everyone though as he himself doesn’t like Alex either - he did try it, and others, out to see if he liked one of the nicknames.

Just keep calling your boyfriend Alex as he obviously likes it and it’s only his opinion that counts!

JollyPinkFox · 06/11/2024 21:08

Zan sounds like some stupid 2024 pronoun. Zan/zin. Alex is nice