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Baby names

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Original poster

Alexander / Alex connotations?

69 replies

Cherry299410 · 29/12/2020 20:09

Help please!

DS2 arrived very recently and we thought we had our name sorted...Alexander, it was a compromise on both sides as we simply couldn’t agree (we used up our fav “boy name” on DS1!) people inevitably shorten (although didn't expect “Al” which I hate and I do correct people) although I’m not sure I like Alex and I’m worried what connotations the name brings??

Thoughts from teachers would be especially appreciated! Probably hormones...but i’m stressing people might see him as aggressive or something?!

Other names I like: Charlie, George, and Oliver.

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Confusedcom1985 · 01/01/2021 19:21

Yes I live in the South but i prefer the northern way of saying it, but I’d have to pronounce it with the “arrrr” otherwise I’d sound out if place around here haha.

Confusedcom1985 · 01/01/2021 19:20

Haha, oh dear 🤣

Jessbow · 01/01/2021 15:24

My Bro has a friend called Alexander.
Commonly Known as Alec.

My brother also has a friend with a broad scots accent

On the rare occasion that the scots friend uses Alexanders short for along with his surname ( Cox) it gets a bit ...erm...erm... Yes Boys will be boys

PrivateParty · 01/01/2021 14:19

I have no negative thoughts about Alexander either. It's nice. I thought it was Scottish.

Chilldonaldchill · 01/01/2021 10:46

Alexander is a great name.
In my children's primary school there were several and they were all lovely boys. One was always known as Alexander, the rest were Alex. Personally I love Xander.

Jayneisagirlsname · 01/01/2021 08:45

My boy is Alexander. I love his name in my Northern accent. Sadly we live where it's pronounced Alexarrrrrnder so he's always Alex or Al. We are no where near cool enough for Xander!

He also gets Alyander sung to Lady Gaga's Alejandro but I'm banned from bc doing that in public now 😁

kittlesticks · 01/01/2021 08:40

I have an Alexandra who also goes by Alex and we love it - suits her down to the ground.

AnxiousAnnie86 · 01/01/2021 08:32

@Cherry299410 my husbands called Alexander - Alex, I love it, never gets called Al which I don't like!! And never had it shortened to anything else :) I'm currently pregnant and if we have a boy middle name will most definitely be Alexander - I think it's beautiful!! X

rockinaftermidnite · 01/01/2021 04:26

It's a wonderful name! Go for it.

calimommy · 01/01/2021 04:14

I have an Alexander, he is 5 and goes by his full name still. We occasionally call him Xander but he has never been Alex. I dislike the name Alex which is naff considering I named my child Alexander 😂. It's a lovely strong name imo 👍

Original poster
Cherry299410 · 30/12/2020 21:40

@DelphiniumBlue oh really re challenging? Thats actually another thing I’ve heard about Alex’s! Eek!
(definitely think i’m overthinking 🤪) but glad to hear the others you’ve taught have been lovely...!

OP posts:
littlemisslozza · 30/12/2020 21:35

Also, 'Alexander the Great!'

littlemisslozza · 30/12/2020 21:33

[quote Cherry299410]@Superstardjs ah thats good to know! I think it just feels a bit unnatural saying it so the other names are easier...would be interested to know if they hold any negatives from a teachers perspective ! 🤔 I’m blaming my hormones for all of this overthinking...[/quote]
I was a teacher when I had my babies - chose Alexander for one. Have never taught a naughty one and, while I'm biased, mine is a lovely boy. Generally goes by Alex now but I call him Ally too. Not too many around. George and Oliver are far more popular.

17CherryTreeLane · 30/12/2020 21:29

My Dad is Alexander, nn Lex, and my DS is Alex. I love the name with all my heart! It's strong, classic and just beautiful!

grassisjeweled · 30/12/2020 21:26

Eck?

Like, eee by Eck?

Calmondeck · 30/12/2020 21:25

The lovely Alexander I know gets nicknamed AJ (middle name John). Another Alexander I know gets Alpaca (?!) - I guess that’s the Al emphasis coming out. You might nickname your little guy anything under the sun - not necessarily a diminutive of Alexander. I think it’s a strong classic name.

Whatelsecouldibecalled · 30/12/2020 21:20

My DS is an Alexander called Alex. I’m a teacher. Never taught a naughty Alex Grin

keeperswif · 30/12/2020 21:15

My son is Alexander or Alec named after his great grandfather

blowinahoolie · 30/12/2020 21:00

Delph Scotland. Very common to shorten to Eck here. DH worked with one years ago.

Mykittensmittens · 30/12/2020 20:33

I have one. He’s Alex mostly. No one has ever called him Al!

I picked it because I have a name which can’t be shortened. I wanted both mine to have ‘adjustable’ names. There isn’t another one in school and people often comment on what a good name it is.

F0M0 · 30/12/2020 20:27

Alexander is a strong name, no negative connotations for me. Alex, Sandy, Zander/Xander... all good!

DelphiniumBlue · 30/12/2020 20:26

@blowinahoolie

Eck is common as the shortened form of Alexander.
Is it? I've never heard it before - what part of the country are you in?

I've taught in lots of schools, and in the last few years there have been at least one Alex in each year group. 6 or 7 years ago, I was at a school where all the Alexes were challenging children, but in all the other schools I've worked in, they've been lovely boys.
I've heard Alexei/Alexis used as a nickname, more with Russian/European children, which I think is quite dashing!

blowinahoolie · 30/12/2020 20:13

Eck is common as the shortened form of Alexander.

Original poster
Cherry299410 · 30/12/2020 20:09

@Haggertyjane aww, thanks for the reply :) hopefully he grew into that name and no regrets re Oliver, they are both lovely names but very different, I think it’s why I’m struggling!

OP posts:
IndecentFeminist · 30/12/2020 20:09

The only Alexander in our primary school is thoroughly lovely

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