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Baby names

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

Original poster

Still have doubts, please advise!

59 replies

EducationComesFirst · 28/08/2018 19:34

Our daughter is 5 weeks old and we need to register her this week. We called her Alice and whilst I like it, I still have doubts...

Her siblings are Elizabeth (sometimes nn Eliza) and Edward. Sometimes I question the following:

  • Are Elizabeth/Eliza and Alice too similar, so sound odd together?
  • Is Alice mega popular, so will soon become common/overused/dated? Do you know many Alices?
  • There are not many nicknames (unlike her siblings names). It would be nice to have options (Allie is ok, but not great).

Another contender was Alexandra. It is beautiful and strong (maybe a bit too masculine though), goes well with siblings. I like it's full version, it has lots of nickname options (although I don't like any of the shortening really).

Could you share your views on my doubts about Alice?
Also, would Alexandra be a better option?

Thanks in advance!

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BellMcEnd · 29/08/2018 09:34

Not keen on Alexandra at all although I like Alexander for a boy. I know approximately 8 million children these days and only know 3 Alices: 1 is 14, the other 2 are in their 40s. It’s a lovely name

MrsMolehillMountain · 29/08/2018 09:32

Oh I also think Alexandra and Elizabeth is so stunning!
Alice alongside Elizabeth seems a bit...lacklustre.
I agree with a PP saying that Alexandra goes better with the siblings' names

AlwaysInJods · 29/08/2018 09:31

My best friend is Alice.

I know two others, similar ages to me (mid 20s).

I personally think it is a beautiful, timeless name and trumps Alexandra

MrsMolehillMountain · 29/08/2018 09:31

I find Alice very bland. It's ok and I don't hate it but it's as dull as paint.
Alexandra on the other hand is beautiful! Very classy and regal but still full of character.
Go for Alexandra!

Cbeebiesrehab · 29/08/2018 09:26

I prefer Alice. Alex/Alexandra just feels a bit masculine to me and I really dislike Alex for a girl.

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 29/08/2018 09:24

Alice is lovely. I like Alexandra but not nn Alex.

Original poster
EducationComesFirst · 29/08/2018 09:05

Thank you so much to those who took time to respond. Please feel free to be brutally honest and don't feel like you need to be sensitive just because we already named her. I would rather question this now than after registering...

OP posts:
AnElderlyLadyOfMediumHeight · 29/08/2018 08:45

There's nothing at all wrong with Alice. It is popular, but never the most popular name about, and it's very classic, so unlikely to date. But I have to say I absolutely love Alexandra, and I think it goes better with the siblings' names.

mumsiedarlingrevolta · 29/08/2018 08:42

I love Alice and think it goes perfectly with her siblings.
And please keep traditional spelling in this scenario to be more like Elizabeth and Edward.
Don't doubt yourself-it's easy when you are sleep deprived and hormonal post birth but I think will stand the test of time!

SelinaMyers · 29/08/2018 08:36

What about a variant on the spelling. I want to university with an Alys.

hellsbells552 · 29/08/2018 08:32

How about Alessandra? Not as classically English as Elizabeth and Edward but I think it still goes well.

Enko · 29/08/2018 08:29

I think both Alice and Alexandra are popular names. However so is Elizabeth and Edward so I don't think that should be a issue in your picking.

Oddly for me I prefer Alice (as I tend to favour less used names and here Alexandra is the less used) I think it is because I am just not keen on Alex as a NN and I find with Alexandra that is what it becomes.

However op what it really comes down to is. When you hold her and look at her. Does she feel like an Alice or a Alexandra to you?

Enidblyton1 · 28/08/2018 23:45

I love both, but especially Alice. I think it goes brilliantly with Elizabeth and Edward.
Despite the apparent popularity of the name, I also don’t know any little Alice’s. Where do they all live?!

DC2018 · 28/08/2018 23:44

I like Alice and don't know any Alice's only an Alison. However, I love Alexandra. It's one of my favourite girls names. It depends what suit her better and how much hassle changing it would be x

cece · 28/08/2018 23:41

Alice is lovely

Sophronia · 28/08/2018 23:38

I prefer Alexandra

QuickWash · 28/08/2018 23:36

I much prefer Alice to Alexandra!

I think Alice goes well with but isn't too similar to your other children's names.

I don't think Alice is a faddy name at all. I know a handful ranging from elderly to toddler but it doesn't date or age someone in the way less classic names do.

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 28/08/2018 23:04

I know an Alice whose NN is Cissy. I really like that.

PenelopeThePufferfish · 28/08/2018 23:01

I prefer Alexandra. You could always call her Alice for short? That sort of works...

PanannyPanoo · 28/08/2018 21:35

I know an Alice with a nick name Lissy. She is adorable!

PanannyPanoo · 28/08/2018 21:33

I love Alice. Love lots of A names!
Alexa, Anna, Alicia and Alissa were on our list too.

TallSlutNoPantiesthe2nd · 28/08/2018 21:27

Both great names and I also really like Allie.

Bouledeneige · 28/08/2018 21:20

I much prefer Alice to Alexandra. The latter sounds hard and not so feminine to me.

TubeTop · 28/08/2018 20:52

I love all your name choices.
Alice is another classic.
Does it suit dd?

SuperstarDJ · 28/08/2018 20:50

I prefer Alice to Alexandra and don’t think it sounds too similiar to Elizabeth/Eliza. I’ve never encountered a young Alice despite the names apparant popularity