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Baby names

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

Original poster

Ally? (nn for Alexander?)

62 replies

crabette · 26/01/2022 23:31

I love the name Alexander for a little boy, but struggle to think of nicknames I would be ok with.

(I have an old aunt Alexandra who goes by Alex, who I really dislike! So wouldn't want Alex.) Not sure of Xander, Sandy or Sasha.

Recently heard "Ally" as a shortened form of Alexandra... which I quite liked? I know for a male, Ally is typically used for Alistair, but do you think it would be reasonable to have Ally for Alexander too?

Think I really like Ally for a little one!

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Classica · 27/01/2022 01:54

Any name that starts with Al can be an Ally. There are no rules about only Alistairs being allowed this nickname!

I think it's a nice little name that will work equally well on a grown man as on a boy.

Lockdownbear · 27/01/2022 01:24

Al, everyone seems to know a Big Al.
I'd always assume Aly, Ally, Ali was an Alister rather than an Alexander.
Alexander, would normally end up as Alex, Alec, Sandy, Xander.

But actually if I was going to use Alexander I'd stick with it and let the nickname evolve naturally

Lemonweightloss · 27/01/2022 01:18

I think it's fine, too. Never known any ( Allys that is), but love Alexander.

Luredbyapomegranate · 27/01/2022 01:14

Sure. Alexander and Alistair have the same origin anyway. I suppose their is also Alec.

Kanaloa · 27/01/2022 01:00

I think Ally is a fine shortening of Alexander. However, I would avoid the name Alexander altogether if you really dislike the name Alex, because your little Ally could easily become Alex as a teen.

ElephantOfRisk · 27/01/2022 00:11

Alastair is the Scottish version of Alexander. You can use it for either.

Ceramide · 27/01/2022 00:06

I like Al and Lex.

TrashyPanda · 27/01/2022 00:00

I love Ally, but as you say, it’s used for Alistair.
Thinking about it, there’s no reason why it shouldn’t work just as well for Alexander. Makes a nice change from Xander, which always seems a bit try hard.

campion · 26/01/2022 23:43

As long as you're not put off by sharing the actual name of the current PM.
But you're right, Ally is usually Alistair.
I like Sacha as a diminutive of Alexander. Classy. Alec is another possibility but the most likely shortening is always going to be Alex / Xander.

I love the name too but DH was less keen so Ds has it as a middle name. No need to shorten it there!

Original poster
crabette · 26/01/2022 23:37

@ouch321 I had to google that, never heard of it! I'm in Scotland, not an issue for me.

OP posts:
Kite22 · 26/01/2022 23:37

I know Ally McCoist is called Ally, but to me, Ally sounds quite feminine.

However, when the child gets to go out and about without your.....school, sports, Scouts, drama, swimming, whatever.... they will get called Alex. So if you really dislike the name Alex, I just would choose a name - any name - that is not Alexander

ouch321 · 26/01/2022 23:33

Makes me think of Ally Pally