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Original poster

Nicknames / shortened versions of Alexander

27 replies

sunhat88 · 25/02/2017 20:19

What are all the nicknames / shortened versions of the name Alexander that people know? Might use a 'J' middle name so could use AJ as an option.

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florascotianew · 26/02/2017 09:44

'Eck' is sometimes used as a nn for Alexander in Scotland. It's Scots (rather than Gaelic or Scottish English). Some people used to refer to Alex Salmond as 'Wee Eck'.

The nn has been around since the 19th cent if not before; it's famously used in the Scottish comic strip 'Oor Wullie', first published in 1936 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oor_Wullie

SuperBeagle · 25/02/2017 21:01

I have a good friend whose name is a diminutive of Alexander (think Alexei), and he has always gotten Lex and Lexi as nicknames.

But the Alexanders I know have always gotten Alex or Al. With the exception of one who was a few years younger than me in school - he got Xander, but it took a while for people to get used to it.

NannyR · 25/02/2017 20:58

I once came across an Alexander at a toddler group who went by the interesting nickname of Eck. He was only a baby so that was a nn that his parents had chosen, rather than his peers.

Original poster
sunhat88 · 25/02/2017 20:57

Lol, I can see some people in our lives making up their own versions but yes, what you introduce them as will make a big difference to something sticking.

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Jaynebxl · 25/02/2017 20:54

I think you try out names and settle on one as a family then that ends up being what you introduce the child as to new people. That then ends up being what everyone calls them. Unless they're rude and make up their own versions!

MaroonPencil · 25/02/2017 20:37

DS1 calls our Alexander Lexl. I used to call him my little Lexigon. But he is Alex for everyday.

OvO · 25/02/2017 20:35

It's interesting a few have said about Xander feeling forced. I do sometimes use that as a nickname as it rolls off the tongue more easily when you have to bellow at them to Get Down or Stop That. Grin

We somehow got to Panda from Alexander which then led to Bear, which is now his normal nickname at home.

Original poster
sunhat88 · 25/02/2017 20:33

I'll wait and see what he becomes!

I do prefer the full name to Alex and prefer some of the other nicknames but will see what happens naturallly.

Thanks for all the ideas. I like the fact there's lots of options with this name but the full name itself is also great.

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Fadingmemory · 25/02/2017 20:32

Ally, Alex, Exi, Zander, Zand, Lander, Sandy

Original poster
sunhat88 · 25/02/2017 20:31

Alexei is a good one

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Original poster
sunhat88 · 25/02/2017 20:29

Yes, I like Lex too.

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SueGeneris · 25/02/2017 20:29

My Alexander is also an Alex. I prefer the full name and was disappointed that it got shortened so quickly by family but he likes it. I also like Xander but agree it does feel a bit forced. We also sometimes call him Alexei and Alexandros but just for fun! Actually quite like Alexei though ( Alexei Sayle?)

Original poster
sunhat88 · 25/02/2017 20:29

Yeah. I have a friend that gets all angry when someone shortens their babies name in the 'wrong' way. Would take far too much energy to insist on the nickname everyone is to use. I guess grandparents are likely to always use the full name and the rest can just evolve in time. My dad always called me something different to anyone else but I kinda liked that.

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Sophronia · 25/02/2017 20:28

Alec is my favourite, also...

Ali
Alex
Lex
Sander
Sandy
Xander
Zander
Xan
Zan
Andy

EssentialHummus · 25/02/2017 20:27

I think Russian Alexanders are always / almost always Sacha - there are "official" nicknames.

OvO · 25/02/2017 20:27

My Alexander is always Alexander. He'll politely correct people who shorten it to Alex (or anything else).

As a superman fan I've tried to encourage Lex but he's not having it. Grin

I wouldn't bother choosing a nickname for them, just see what happens naturally.

Original poster
sunhat88 · 25/02/2017 20:25

Yeah, Xander feels like it may feel a bit forced. I can see that.

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Asuitablemum · 25/02/2017 20:25

I would think it varies. Some give their child a long name but use a shortened one all the time or often early one. Some parents always use long version until a nn arises from school. I personally wouldn't be telling others what nn to use unless they asked. I would just use the one I chose.

WhingingTulip · 25/02/2017 20:25

Our Alexander gets called Alex, Al, AllyBo, Lex, Lexy. They all just evolved after he was born! Alex and Al are most common. My FIL is an Alexander but always get called Sandy (Scottish).

Original poster
sunhat88 · 25/02/2017 20:25

Haha Leccy and Gaz Grin

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Rockaby · 25/02/2017 20:25

I know a couple who had an Alexander and immediately called him Xander. I called him that too, (of course), but it somehow felt a bit forced if I'm honest. Recently the couple have started referring to him as Alexander, so I do too.

Figgygal · 25/02/2017 20:23

Ds2 born in October is Alexander we picked it as loved the name but he's always Alex now

Couchpotato3 · 25/02/2017 20:23

Our Alexander quickly became Alex and then Al as an adult.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 25/02/2017 20:23

Alex
Alec
Leccy (Mind you people might ask. Where's his twin GazGrin
Sander
Zander
Sandy

Original poster
sunhat88 · 25/02/2017 20:21

Also interested to know... do people pick a shortened version ahead of time to encourage family and friends to use it or would you reccomend trying a few out at the time and seeing what sticks? I'm fully prepared for them to choose their own when they are old enough!

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