Alejandro? | Mumsnet

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

StillMedusa · 13/12/2022 21:31

I have a baby relative called Alessandro.. the Italian version.
But one parent IS Italian.
So far we've called him Ale ('Allay' ..can't find the accent on my keyboard), Sandy, Zandy....

MissHavishamsMouldyOldCake · 09/12/2022 22:09

Alejandro Smith whose ancestors are from Shropshire and Hampshire would make me giggle.

peaceinourtime · 09/12/2022 01:25

It's nice but you really have to able to role the r to pronounce it properly.

mishl · 28/11/2022 10:37

Jantetha · 27/11/2022 14:30

It's quite boring how if you're English, everyone insists on using English names and you can't use anything else if you're not of that particular heritage.

Then there are random exceptions. The name 'Luca' is an Italian name that happens to be 28th most popular for boys in the UK even though we have 'Luke' in English. I know a few boys named Luca, a few Enzos too and none have Italian heritage.

Why is that fine but not Alejandro?

I'd judge the names individually rather than as a blanket rule. Something like Luca or Francesca is okay on a British child since they're familiar names that are reasonably easy to spell/pronounce in English. An unfamiliar name like Cesare or Giampiero on a British child with no Italian connection would just be strange though. You'd have a lot of problems with people not knowing how to spell and pronounce it, asking if you have Italian ancestry when you don't, etc, which might be awkward for your child to deal with when there isn't a genuine cultural link to explain the name. "My mum just liked it" doesn't really justify a name like Massimiliano on a British child.

Similarly with Spanish names - names with a Spanish "J/soft G" like Alejandro, Alejo, Javier, Sergio etc are probably not going to be pronounced correctly in the UK. Your child is going to have to explain the pronunciation often - which might be worth it, if you're of Spanish descent and the name has family significance. But if you're an ordinary White British family, then it's going to seem strange.

CatByDay · 27/11/2022 18:55

Agree with others. If it reflects your heritage I think it's great, if not, it sounds contrived and I'd go with Alexander which is an equally lovely name.

RandomMusings7 · 27/11/2022 16:36

Hyppogriff · 26/11/2022 19:47

Only if you have Spanish heritage or a reason to use a Spanish name

I agree.

MrsTerryPratchett · 27/11/2022 16:34

Why is that fine but not Alejandro?

Because Luca and Enzo use the same pronunciation in English and Italian. (Mostly.) The different J in Alejandro seems a little pretentious if you don't say your Js that way normally.

Childcare101 · 27/11/2022 14:33

Fordian · 26/11/2022 19:39

IMO only if you have Hispanic/Spanish in your ancestry.

Otherwise it's Alexander.

Please don't name your child this unless you are Hispanic. Otherwise go ahead lovely name

Jantetha · 27/11/2022 14:30

It's quite boring how if you're English, everyone insists on using English names and you can't use anything else if you're not of that particular heritage.

Then there are random exceptions. The name 'Luca' is an Italian name that happens to be 28th most popular for boys in the UK even though we have 'Luke' in English. I know a few boys named Luca, a few Enzos too and none have Italian heritage.

Why is that fine but not Alejandro?

dizzydizzydizzy · 27/11/2022 14:13

As others have said, it's fine if you have a Spanish/Latin American background. It would be an odd name to choose if you have a pure English-speaking background because there is an English version of the name.

SummaLuvin · 27/11/2022 13:43

What others have said really.

Very nice name
I wouldn't use it unless I was Spanish/had recent Spanish heritage
Lady Gaga, but think that is a dated reference, I haven't heard the song in years. Would be curious to see if any under 18s think of this song
Where I live in the UK I fully expect the pronunciation would be butchered, even with the best of intentions

felicek · 27/11/2022 00:51

Fine if you're Spanish. Otherwise, no. The pronunciation will be butchered in Britain. You'd have endless problems with the aspirated Spanish J. Even Lady Gaga didn't get it right.

username8888 · 26/11/2022 21:00

Always makes me think of someone spraying you with spit when they say it

username8888 · 26/11/2022 20:59

By which I mean not of South American or Spanish ancestry!

username8888 · 26/11/2022 20:59

Not if he's your average British Brit!

Needmorelego · 26/11/2022 20:37

I know one who goes by Alex.
I have also heard Sandro as a short version.
Both have Spanish backgrounds.

CocoonofDavid · 26/11/2022 20:34

I love it. I love the way it rolls off the tongue.

I first heard the name as a teenager in the late 90s as my Spanish exchange buddy was a huge fan of Alejandro sanz and it’s stuck with me since.

However, I didn’t ever seriously consider it for my children as I have no Spanish heritage or connections (besides GCSE Spanish and some fun memories of our two week exchange trip!!) so felt a bit of a fraud at the thought of using it.

Luredbyapomegranate · 26/11/2022 20:25

He’ll be called Alex, or Al

Eixample · 26/11/2022 20:09

Quite dated, if that’s a consideration

BackToWhereItAllBegan · 26/11/2022 20:08

There's a large Spanish community in my area and Alejandro is a very popular name but everyone of them goes by Alex so you might as well call him Alexander anyway!

MrsTerryPratchett · 26/11/2022 19:55

Fordian · 26/11/2022 19:39

IMO only if you have Hispanic/Spanish in your ancestry.

Otherwise it's Alexander.

This. I love it but not if it's just for the sake of it.

Hyppogriff · 26/11/2022 19:47

Only if you have Spanish heritage or a reason to use a Spanish name

Saltywalruss · 26/11/2022 19:46

Do you know how to pronounce it?

strawberrie · 26/11/2022 19:46

I know one vaguely and I have to work very hard to not sing ale-Alejandro at him every time I see him.

WomenShouldWinWomensSports · 26/11/2022 19:44

Fordian · 26/11/2022 19:39

IMO only if you have Hispanic/Spanish in your ancestry.

Otherwise it's Alexander.

This. Also the Lady Gaga song.
FWIW DH is Romanian and we could have legitimately used a Romanian version of our child’s name but decided not to as we decided he’s going to spend his life spelling his last name and explaining how to pronounce it anyway.