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Baby names

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

Original poster

Alexander Charles or Alexander Francis?

31 replies

Katherine1990 · 22/06/2020 09:12

Surname is Jackson. Thanks Smile

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micc · 03/07/2020 12:23

I prefer Francis:)

PAJJ · 02/07/2020 07:56

I'd say Francis... but biased as I'm going with Frances as a middle name for my girl due next week!

redwoodmazza · 26/06/2020 10:48

I prefer Alexander Charles as there's one syllable less.

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Katherine1990 · 25/06/2020 08:34

@SnowdropFox interesting - and well, I probably look into their meanings, but I don’t look into the etymology of the names that much. For me either Alexander Charles or Alexander Francis both make me think of a strong, protective, independent man, but also a true gentleman, someone who doesn’t get into fights to prove themselves. As outlined in the earlier post - I actually prefer Alexander Francis slightly more as the softer consonants in Francis balance out with the harsh consonants in Alexander, whereas with Charles it doesn’t so much.

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SnowdropFox · 24/06/2020 08:56

Yes they both be Freeman but the etymology is different so give slightly different slants on the name. Francis from what I understand apart from meaning French man, has its roots in the word free. So Alexander Francis would be Defender/helper of people/mankind and Free man/Frenchman.

So basically I like that Francis had that emphasis on free and independence/identity of coming from a particular country. It conjures up quite a strong, kind person to me.

Charles's etymology just didn't come across as nice to me and I just dont like it paired with Alexander. However, not many people are so into names that they like to know their meanings and roots. So if you and your DP prefer Charles, absolutely go for it!

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Katherine1990 · 24/06/2020 08:33

@GlamGiraffe not particularly. However, as I think about it, Francis has a slightly softer sound to it which balances out well with the harsh consonants in Alexander, unlike Charles which is quite harsh sounding too.

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GlamGiraffe · 23/06/2020 23:47

I like the name charles better but think francis flows better when the names are put together so for that reason I'd choose the latter I think. Do you have no preference OP?

EugenesAxe · 23/06/2020 23:39

I prefer Francis for some reason.

honey7 · 23/06/2020 23:36

Charles

Faith50 · 23/06/2020 23:33

Alexander Charles

resm · 23/06/2020 23:30

Alexander Francis :)

Original poster
Katherine1990 · 23/06/2020 22:49

@SnowdropFox what do you mean? I remember looking both the names up - Charles and Francis both mean “free man” so I’m not sure what you mean when you say the name meanings link better.

OP posts:
TiggeryBear · 23/06/2020 15:29

Alexander Charles
(I have an Alexander too 😁)

HPLikecraft · 23/06/2020 14:54

Much prefer Francis.

BaronessBomburst · 22/06/2020 23:33

I prefer Francis.

Buckingham1988 · 22/06/2020 23:30

Alexander Charles

123Dancewithme · 22/06/2020 23:02

Charles

DesmondTheMoonbear · 22/06/2020 23:01

Charles is much nicer.

Tillygetsit · 22/06/2020 22:56

Francis.

DramaAlpaca · 22/06/2020 22:16

Francis

SnowdropFox · 22/06/2020 22:13

Prefer the Francis as the name meanings link better than Charles imo. Love Alexander btw!

Bubbletrouble43 · 22/06/2020 21:25

Alexander Francis
We are also Jacksons and Alexander is what I would have called a boy! It's my dad's name and I just like it. Francis is cool too.

947EliseChalotte · 22/06/2020 21:22

Alexander Charles 💙 lovely names

Cabin · 22/06/2020 21:19

Alexander Francis

Ellmau · 22/06/2020 19:27

Either works. I slightly lean to Francis.