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Baby names

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

Alexander or Alex

29 replies

Roseability18 · 18/03/2021 21:28

DH and I both like Alex for a boy, but he thinks we should put this on the birth certificate whereas I’m more inclined to go for Alexander. What are peoples thoughts on this in general? He says if we are going to call him Alex it’s silly to have a longer name that he never uses, plus it may get shortened to Sandy or Xander, neither of which we are keen on. I get this, but still feel Alex seems a bit incomplete or something!
We don’t know gender of baby so this may be a moot point!

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RickiTarr · 18/03/2021 21:36

If you can’t agree, how about Alec? It’s a complete name in itself.

TatianaBis · 18/03/2021 21:36

Alexander. Never met an Alexander shorter to Sandy ever.

Alex/Alexandra is ace for a girl too.

Vallmo47 · 18/03/2021 21:35

I agree with above.

I have an Alexander. He refers to himself as Alex and that’s fine. I introduce him as Alexander sometimes because I love the name.

Good choice. 👍

CakesOfVersailles · 18/03/2021 21:33

Alexander 100%.

Beautiful name.

I was referred to by my nickname 99% of my childhood (and probably at least 80% of the time in adulthood) but I really like having the long name to fall back on and use in formal situations.

Also one thing I have noticed is there are some people who just compulsively have to nickname others. They will shorter Alexander to Alex quite happily, but if you are just Alex they will try and change that up, such as Al or Lexy. It's bizarre but weirdly common. I have noticed it with family members who tried to avoid nicknames through picking short, one-syllable names. People just had to make nicknames for them!

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