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

Alexandra or Lyla? Please help us decide

43 replies

kayr11 · 18/06/2016 00:11

We're expecting our third child any day and still can't decide on a girls name. We're between Alexandra (probably shortened to Alex) or Lyla. Any thoughts, will Lyla be a fad name, is Alex a pretty enough name? Please help!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Wintersummerwintersummer · 30/06/2016 20:39

I prefer Alex to Lyla. I don't like Lyla at all. Leila is really pretty though. Alexandra is a fantastic name though- edges it for me x

WanderingNotLost · 30/06/2016 20:34

I've got Alexandra earmarked as a name for potential future DD- but I'd shorten it to Allie or Lexie, not Alex.

areyoubeingserviced · 30/06/2016 17:22

Alexandra

NavyAndWhite · 30/06/2016 17:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Elizabeth09 · 29/06/2016 23:09

I prefer Alexandra, but I do think Lila Alexandra is a nice combination (that spelling of Lila - Lyla looks wrong to me).

BeastofCraggyIsland · 21/06/2016 16:33

Definitely Alexandra, it's a great name. I know one and she goes by both Alex and Ally which are both really cool. Not keen on Lexi or Lex though, I have tons of patients called that (dogs!).

CourtJester · 21/06/2016 16:14

I initially read it and saw Lyra, which i love. However, I'm not so keen on Lyla.

Alexandra (Alex or Lex for nn) out of your two options (but Lyra, if it's up for consideration!)

MadisonAvenue · 21/06/2016 13:43

I know two Alexandras who go by the nickname Xana - pronounced Shanna.

Original poster
kayr11 · 20/06/2016 22:28

Thanks for all the opinions, never thought of the nickname Ally for Alexandra, I really like that as a possible alternative to Alex. I didn't realise so many people hadn't heard of Lyla, I thought it was quite well known.

OP posts:
handonhip · 20/06/2016 11:13

Alexandra. Wonderful name.

JenniferAnistonsHair · 19/06/2016 21:27

I prefer Alexandra - or even Alexandria

FlossiesFurCoat · 19/06/2016 18:08

Lilah, definitely.

Have never liked either Alex or Sandra, especially not in one name....

GoudyStout · 19/06/2016 17:24

2. When she is older she can put Alex on CVs and job applications and escape some of the unconscious gender bias.

Or turn up offshore and find she's been bunked up with a hairy arsed driller because they thought she was a bloke.

(Yes, it did happen to me).

therootoftheroot · 19/06/2016 15:36

alexandra
so many choices
alex
sandy
lex
alexa
etc etc

FATEdestiny · 19/06/2016 15:33

I have an Alexandra which we shorten to Alex. Her friends all call her Ally which I think is a lovely nn

Dozer · 19/06/2016 15:14

Lyla sounds made up and she'd be regularly asked about spelling.

achildsjoy · 19/06/2016 15:12

Alexandra definitely, lyla sounds made up.

MadisonAvenue · 19/06/2016 15:11

Lyla, because I love the Oasis song!

Oly5 · 19/06/2016 15:10

I have an Alexa. Classy and beautiful, as is Alexandra!

NauticalIce · 19/06/2016 15:06

Actually, what are your thoughts on Leila/Layla? I love it Smile

Correios · 19/06/2016 14:55

I have a Lyla, she's 11 now, named after the Oasis song that was released at the time she was born. Since then we have known of 4 others over the last few years, so rare but still fairly normal sounding.
She loves her name, I have no regrets, only annoyance is that is is frequently spelled incorrectly as Lila and she often gets called Lola or Layla.

CuntingDMjournos · 19/06/2016 14:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Mycraneisfixed · 19/06/2016 14:46

How about Lyra? Not keen on your spelling of LylaConfused

amarante · 19/06/2016 14:44

My daughter is Lila. We sound it Leelah. We love it and at school she is the only one.

NauticalIce · 19/06/2016 14:31

Lyla... I don't like Alexandra, sorry!

Swipe left for the next trending thread