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Baby names

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

Original poster

Alexandra or Eleanor?

37 replies

Howwillicope · 17/11/2019 07:04

Would shorten the first to Alex, the latter to Ellie.
I’m leaning towards Alexandra more but would love opinions!

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Tillygetsit · 17/11/2019 22:52

Alexandra is much more pleasing on the ears. Eleanor sounds really clunky to me. I dont get the love for it at all.

IAcceptCookies · 17/11/2019 20:42

Alexandra is my absolute favourite girls' name, and yes I have one of my own! So strong and elegant.

Eleanor is OK, though.

AuntieStella · 17/11/2019 20:33

Both lovely, and of the two I'd choose Alexandra

Allegorical · 17/11/2019 20:24

Frumpy not grumpy. Bloody autocorrect!

Allegorical · 17/11/2019 20:23

Eleanor is a bit current and isn’t in my opinion a particularly pretty name. Makes me think of someone that is plain and grumpy.
Alexandra is less current and more evergreen which I like. I also like the short version Alex which it will inevitably get shortened to. But I like girls nicknames that are boyish. Think they are a bit sassy. Mine name is one so that prob makes me biased.

mumsiedarlingrevolta · 17/11/2019 20:23

I love Eleanor. What about Nori as a nickname?

I don't love alexandra-feels heavy and laboured

kittlesticks · 17/11/2019 20:20

I have an Alexandra! Love it. Am shortening it to Ali.

Milkywayfan · 17/11/2019 19:56

Alexandra is lovely. In case you change your mind We have managed to keep to Eleanor unshortened (did help we used a completely different nickname as well when she was very young - and there was an ellie at nursery and they agreed between them one was ellie and one Eleanor!)

Original poster
Howwillicope · 17/11/2019 19:51

Thanks all! Don't actually know if we’re having a girl this time (and wont be finding out), but as DH got his choice last time I’m pretty sure I can win him around with Alexandra Smile

OP posts:
DramaAlpaca · 17/11/2019 19:16

Alexandra would be my choice, but they are both beautiful classic names.

PreschoolYes · 17/11/2019 19:13

Eleanor for me. Nickname Elle? Ella? Nora?

ilyjccs · 17/11/2019 19:09

Eleanor but both are beautiful
Don’t shorten either of them. It’s not inevitable at all that they’ll be shortened. Why give your DD such a beautiful name only to shorten it to a name like Ellie!! What a waste

TatianaLarina · 17/11/2019 19:04

Can’t stand Lexi either OP but you can put your foot down about that.

TatianaLarina · 17/11/2019 19:03

Alexandra by miles. Eleanor reminds me of Eeyore and there are way too many Ellies.

Alex, Alexa and Sacha are cool nns.

userabcname · 17/11/2019 17:54

Alexandra

MissHenty · 17/11/2019 17:52

Love Eleanor

diddlediddle · 17/11/2019 17:40

Both excellent names! Love it.

I personally love Alex for a girl. Not keen on Ellie, so many about. Could shorten Eleanor to something else though - Elle, Lena.

The meaning of Alexandra is quite powerful - protector of mankind. Can Eleanor be a middle name?

You can't go wrong OP, great names.

icecreamsundae32 · 17/11/2019 14:41

Much prefer Eleanor - prefer Ella or Elle to Ellie though.

MikeUniformMike · 17/11/2019 14:18

Alexandra is my favourite.
Eleanor is OK, as is Ellie, but they're a bit overused.
I don't like Lexi at all.

NoSauce · 17/11/2019 09:43

I love Ali as a nn.

Original poster
Howwillicope · 17/11/2019 09:34

Thanks all! Alexandra is my favourite, DH prefers Eleanor. Think it’s inevitable that a longer name will be shortened but prefer the nicknames for Alexandra ie Alex or Ali is lovely! Really not keen on Lexi Hmm

OP posts:
bellinisurge · 17/11/2019 09:33

Both lovely names in short or long form.

HarryRug · 17/11/2019 09:28

Alexandra is beautiful. Also like Alexia. Never been a fan of Elenor and every other child at our children’s school is Ellie.

Cookit · 17/11/2019 09:27

I love Alexandra, such a strong name. Eleanor too but Alexandra edges it for me.
(Not sure about the being confused with Alexander bit because one is clearly a male name and one clearly a female).

AlexandraThePanda · 17/11/2019 09:07

I'm an Alexandra and I like my name but absolutely hate Alex as I've always felt that it's a boys name. I was also constantly called Alexander as a child which drove me mad. My nickname was always Ali and I much prefer that to Alex.