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Baby names

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Original poster

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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Original poster
SurfsUp1 · 28/11/2014 10:10

True, but lots of nns have altered vowel sounds from the name they are originally derived from - even in England, Katherine - Katie/Kate for example - I'm not sure it's really relevant?

Lots of Australians would still say it like the English do - you'd get both here.

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BauerTime · 27/11/2014 13:27

Said in an Aussie accent, I agree that Alexandra shortens to Andie fine. In an English accent, not so much though as someone said it would be pronounced Alexarndra.

OhForFoxSakeYourPullingMyChain · 27/11/2014 13:16

I am an Andi,(shortened from Andrea, which is old fashioned in England too) its unusual, its only my husband that calls it me, I really love it :)

squoosh · 27/11/2014 13:06

I think Andie works absolutely fine as a nn for Alexandra.

Alexandra is far too long and clunky to use full time. I'm with the Australians on this one!

Original poster
SurfsUp1 · 27/11/2014 08:25

Oh, I'm in no way absolutely set on it - it might be in the mix though.
Not keen on Andra - sounds a bit like Andrea which I don't like.

I always thought girls names would be easier than boys, but I finding now that I was entirely incorrect!!

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Gobbolinothewitchscat · 27/11/2014 08:21

Anderson is an old Scottish surname- there's even an Anderson tartan and everything!. But don't really like it as a first name

So. is it Alexandra/Andie then? What about Andra as the nickname?

Original poster
SurfsUp1 · 26/11/2014 22:57

how can Eve be "shortened" to Evie?

Here it's all about a nn not so much a shortening.

Lots of people have nns which are made up of their name or surname with a Y or O added to the end. Johnno, Robbo, Janey etc. If you have red hair you may get called Blue, my DH is known, even in his professional role, by his surname with a Y added to the end.

petitdonkey you might be safe from Becky here, but you would almost certainly get Bec. After a few years of eyebrow raises and eye rolls you would either learn to live with it, accept that people will think you're a bit uppity or emigrate. Grin Wink

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Original poster
SurfsUp1 · 26/11/2014 22:50

Hmm, well I'm not sure why Andie is any less of a "natural" nn than Sasha. Or Teddy for Edward or Jimmy for James or Charlie for Charlotte or Kitty for Catherine etc etc- all seem to be fairly acceptable though?

Not keen on Xandra/Sandra at all I'm afraid.

I also don't really like nns as full names, so Andie to me is not a "real" name. Nor do I like surnames as first names (with the exception of some Scottish names which are old surnames) so Anderson is out.
I'm Australian, but it doesn't stop me being a name snob! Grin

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NormaStits · 26/11/2014 21:30

I LOVE Alexandra! I wanted to use it myself, with either Alex or Andie as a nn! Was really gutted not to be able to.

I think Andie would be really cute on a little Aussie girl, and Alexandra keeps her options open if she hates Andie.

SwedishEdith · 26/11/2014 20:30

Well I use a short a but I'm still not convinced it's a natural nn. I looked up Andie Mcdowell and that's a shortening of a family middle name. As you're in Australia could you get away with something like Anderson to get the name you want?

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

Gobbolinothewitchscat · 26/11/2014 20:01

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

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?

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

florascotia · 26/11/2014 08:40

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

Original poster
SurfsUp1 · 26/11/2014 08:29

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

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Original poster
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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TidyDancer · 26/11/2014 07:38

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

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?

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.

DramaAlpaca · 25/11/2014 22:52

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

Original poster
SurfsUp1 · 25/11/2014 22:48

Last post was to SanityClause

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Original poster
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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Original poster
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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SanityClause · 25/11/2014 22:40

I do think....