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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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bellylaughs · 17/11/2019 08:49

I have an Eleanor who’s now a teenager. On the way home from hospital with her as a newborn my DH called her Ellie and it just didn’t seem right! Also I was worried she would forever be Ellie and never be able to go back to the full version, so we stuck with Eleanor and I’ve always loved it. (She gets called Elz by her sisters!)

NoSauce · 17/11/2019 08:41

I don’t think a girls names have to be pretty but I find Alex very masculine and plain when compared to Alexandra.

Chilver · 17/11/2019 08:37

Alexandra 'warrior of men' - strong, timeless, multitude of diminutives (Sasha, Xandra, Alex, Lex, Lexi, Andra, Adra etc)

Eleanor seems a bit dated and there are lots and lots of Ellie's around where I am.

newdeer · 17/11/2019 08:36

I love both. One traditional nickname for Alexandra is Sacha which I think is cute. And there's Lexie too, or Allie, Al, Lexa, Xandra, Xan, Sandie - loads of variations as well as Alex. It's such a versatile name and so elegant in its long form. It would be my first choice.

I love Eleanor but it will inevitably get shortened to Ellie which is pretty but ubiquitous.

SoftBlocks · 17/11/2019 08:33

Alexandra.

BatleyTownswomensGuild · 17/11/2019 08:32

"And Alex is not very pretty is it? "

I would disagree. But, for the sake of argument, does a girl's name have to be 'pretty'? Surely in 2019 we've moved on from that...

I absolutely LOVE Alex. It's strong, timeless, cool and it's easy to pronounce and spell.

user1493494961 · 17/11/2019 08:32

Both lovely names, prefer Eleanor but Ellie's are everywhere, I would choose Nel if you have to shorten.

daisypond · 17/11/2019 08:29

I really like Alexandra and Eleanor but those short forms are so nothing-y. Eleanor is my favourite.

cptartapp · 17/11/2019 08:29

^this
But Eleanor in its entirety is lovely. Don't know you could stop the inevitable nn though.
Alexa or ESther?

NoSauce · 17/11/2019 08:25

Both names are beautiful but I hate Alex and Ellie, sorry.

chocatoo · 17/11/2019 08:24

How about Alexis?

BillHadersNewWife · 17/11/2019 08:15

Well I think Alexandra is too easily mistaken for Alexander...both in speaking and reading.

And Alex is not very pretty is it? Eleanor is much nicer. I don't really love Ellie but it's nicer than Alex.

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