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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!!!

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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?