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Original poster

What is your favourite shortening of Elizabeth and Alexandra

129 replies

NighteyesLovesGingerbread · 28/06/2015 10:54

So having been roundly assured that Tess is not an acceptable nn for Elizabeth Grin what is your favourite shortening of:

Elizabeth/Elisabeth
Alexandra

Thanks

OP posts:
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cosmicglittergirl · 28/06/2015 18:37

Betty

Thurlow · 28/06/2015 18:35

Selfishly pleased that Alex has proved so popular Grin

Though if I had my time again, I might have shortened it to Alix instead, as I just like the spelling. And I think it does make the name more clearly feminine (though an entirely unisex name like Alex is endlessly entertaining when you have a small and unidentifiable baby and people ask for the name to try and work out whether its a girl or boy...)

Also considered Elizabeth, but wrote it off as DP preferred Lizzie and I preferred Libby and, like you OP, we knew we'd shorten it.

blossommy · 28/06/2015 18:24

Tess !! (Yes I have read the OP)
One of the most wonderful, beautiful women I've known is called Elisabeth - nn Tess.

LaurieFairyCake · 28/06/2015 18:20

Liza (as in Liza Minelli - Lyza)
Lexi

hawkmcqueen · 28/06/2015 18:18

Libby, Eliza
Alex, Sasha

zipzap · 28/06/2015 17:34

Zizi for Elizabeth

Zaza for Alexandra (also has fun A-Z connotations)

Know both of these in use (a friend and a sibling) - they work really well as they're not used by everyone but obvious enough what they're from.

Zakken · 28/06/2015 17:32

I don't really like any of the Elizabeth nns. Liza perhaps, or Betsy - they would suit different characters.

I like Alex well enough but it's androgynous. Prefer Sandra and Sandy which are less well-trodden versions. Don't like Lexi at all.

Original poster
NighteyesLovesGingerbread · 28/06/2015 17:07

wow, thanks guys, lots of ideas and a few I hadn't thought of.

Our other DC have long names which are used in public and nn that are used by close friends and family only hence why I'm keen to find a good shortening.

I really like Betsy actually.

I was musing on Xanda (I think Xan is a bit abrupt for a little one).

sylvanians I'm still working the Thomasina angle with DH but he's not keen!!

really don't like Ally/Allie I'm afraid.

Both Elizabeth/Elisabeth and Alexandra have family connections which is another reason I'm keen on finding a good shortened name.

I'm just one of those people who has to shorten names no matter how lovely the original name is!!

really hope the baby is a girl otherwise all this will be for nothing! only 10 weeks but I am only interested in girls names! wishful thinking or mother's instinct?

OP posts:
ashesandfire · 28/06/2015 16:00

Beth and Sasha

Takver · 28/06/2015 14:06

I like Betsy, too, come to that. Frankly, I think you can't go wrong with Elizabeth/Elisabeth - absolute classic name with lots of lovely options for shortenings.

Takver · 28/06/2015 14:05

Beth, Libby or Eliza. All the Libbys I know are adults, so I definitely think of it as a 'serious grown-up' name.

Alexandra - harder, I like the full name but not so keen on most common shortenings. I like Xan, but perhaps too much a boys' name.

FadedRed · 28/06/2015 13:52

Lizzy and Lexy
Eilish and Sacha.

StarOnTheTree · 28/06/2015 13:47

Beth/Libby and Lexi

My DDs all have full names but 2 of them have shortened versions of their names that are Beth and Libby. Neither is called Elizabeth Smile

Only1scoop · 28/06/2015 13:39

Betsy or Libby
Lex

TidyDancer · 28/06/2015 13:38

Beth or Libby and Alex. Lex/Lexi etc I can't stand.

IsadoraQuagmire · 28/06/2015 13:36

Betty or Betsy and Alex or Alexa - NOT Lexie/Lexy, I HATE those. Also don't like Beth, but that's mostly because of the annoying Little Women character.

I do prefer the full versions of both names to any shorter forms though. I like both spellings of Elizabeth/Elisabeth, would find it hard to choose one!

SylvaniansAtEase · 28/06/2015 13:34

No good options for Alexandra alas.

Betty or Betsy for Elizabeth, but all of them are either tired or outdated.

I'd go for Thomasina nn Tess :)

Springtimemama · 28/06/2015 13:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

moresnow · 28/06/2015 13:29

Ah, see you don't like Liz. Liss any better?

NerrSnerr · 28/06/2015 13:29

Lizzie and Alex or Alexa.

moresnow · 28/06/2015 13:27

Liz and Za

Sarahplane · 28/06/2015 13:27

Beth and Alex

Esmesgirls · 28/06/2015 13:24

Lizzie and Alexa

ChippyMinton · 28/06/2015 13:21

Libby or Betty
Lexi

omri · 28/06/2015 13:20

Lizzie and alex. I LOVE Alex for a little girl. Love boyish names on girls for some reason!!

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