Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

If I love Alexander but dislike Alex...

41 replies

MrsMichelRouxJr · 07/08/2015 15:28

So Alexander is about the only boy's name DH and I can agree on at the moment. I also love Henry but DH doesn't... (he is quick to veto all my suggestions but never comes up with any of his own!!).

Anyway, I love Alexander but I'm really not keen on Alex (reminds me of a wet, drippy boy I used to know).

My question is are there other nicknames that I haven't considered? I'm not keen on Xander (sounds weird and a bit forced/try hard to me). The only one I'm close to liking is Ali, but I'm also concerned its a bit girly.

In theory I would be happy to just call him Alexander but I know in reality it is a very long name to be shouting in the playground. Also other people would shorten it and he will get called Alex for sure unless we start using a different nickname for him early on.

Any other names I might like?? DD is Naomi. I just can't find a boys name I like - it can't start with W, N, E or M.

Help!!!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
sleepyhead · 07/08/2015 16:57

Alastair is the gaelic version of Alexander, so Ali still works as a shortening imo (Alastair was used as a differentiating "nickname" for a couple of the many Alexanders in my extended family over the years).

IHeartKingThistle · 07/08/2015 16:55

So you hate ALL the shortened versions of the name you like?

Yeah, I don't think you can use the name to be honest! You won't get to choose the nickname he uses for himself.

NaughtToThreeSadOnions · 07/08/2015 16:54

I know an Alexander that's ally, not sure why but does the y make it more masculine!?

Hobbes8 · 07/08/2015 16:51

Alec Baldwin isn't bald.

IsItMeOr · 07/08/2015 16:40

Ali sounds like an abbreviation for Alistair to me.

I couldn't get Lex Luther out of my head either...

IsItMeOr · 07/08/2015 16:39

Sandy is a standard Scottish nickname for Alexander.

Babylove2015 · 07/08/2015 16:31

Even if you call him Sandy/ Xander etc. If he ends up in a professional job, chances are he is going to want to be referred to Alex not Sandy!

AnyPostToday · 07/08/2015 15:50

My brother is christened Alex not alexander but gets called zane sometimes by a group of friends, I guess it's a shortening of zander.

Original poster
MrsMichelRouxJr · 07/08/2015 15:47

Thanks everyone!

Hmm I know a girl called Sandy so think it'll always be a girl's name/nn to me, same with Sasha.

Lex is cool but the first thing I think of is Lex Luther - not sure if that's a good thing or not!! It could definitely grow on me though. It's sounding better the more I say it in my head.

I have an irrational dislike for Xander, no idea why.

Alec reminds me of Alec Baldwin and so whenever I hear it I picture a bald man!! Strange how our brains work in terms of associations.

That's very helpful though. Ali and Lex are contenders...

OP posts:
PresidentTwonk · 07/08/2015 15:40

Lex!

Sophronia · 07/08/2015 15:40

Alec is my favourite.

Also...

Lex
Sandy
Sander
Al
Xan / Zan
Andy
Sasha / Sacha

Spydra · 07/08/2015 15:39

Xander and Ali are both fine options.

AuditAngel · 07/08/2015 15:37

We use DS's second name. His first U.S. Alessandro and one uncle has nicknamed him Ali V

chairmeoh · 07/08/2015 15:34

I know an Alexander who is called Sandy day-to-day. I must admit it took a bit of getting used to at first, but now he's a toddler I think it really suits him.

petalsandstars · 07/08/2015 15:34

Alec was the shortened version in my wider family

noblegiraffe · 07/08/2015 15:30

Sandy? Lex?

Swipe left for the next trending thread