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Baby names

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

Original poster

Alexei, Aleksey

43 replies

MaddyJH · 05/06/2023 15:49

My partner and I are having a boy, and are thinking of naming him Alexei or Aleksey. Neither of us are Russian or Bulgarian, so we were wondering if choosing such a name is OK?

OP posts:
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Mumof1andacat · 10/06/2023 13:05

Alexander is time less, and there are options for a shorter name if the person chooses to. Alex, xander, Al, Ally, or your choices if they like them.

TheWayTheLightFalls · 10/06/2023 12:56

I think I’d go for Alexander nn Alexei because then he has choices. The other spelling is v unusual so I wouldn’t.

In Cyrillic cultures these are two entirely different names - Alexander nn Sasha, and Alexei nn Lyosha. So this suggestion is something like "I think I'd go for Robert, nn John".

I think it depends really, but this is a name still strongly associated with its culture so I'm not sure it'd be a great thing to do to your son. If you do, I think the spelling above is better than Aleksey, which is sometimes going to be pronounced Alek-see.

Vvvvvvvvvvvvvv · 10/06/2023 12:53

I am Russian and I wouldn't do it.

theadultsaretalking · 10/06/2023 12:41

Lovely name, which is still European sounding.

I know a couple of French people who called their children after Russian writers or book characters - as in Vladimir (after Nabokov) for example - and the children don't seem to have any problems with discrimination, even in the current climate.

The only suggestion is to use 'Aleksey' spelling as this is more common.

Daisybuttercup12345 · 08/06/2023 00:05

Don't set him up for a lifetime of problems.
Alex
Alexander
Alistair
Alan

CoalTit · 07/06/2023 06:31

...people would probably assume you'd chosen it due to his heritage.
That doesn't seem to be a problem with other names, such as Francesca, which people in the UK often choose over Frances.
Fgs spell it right
Alexsei/Alekcei/Alexsey is transliterated from a language with a Cyrillic alphabet so there isn't one right way to spell it.

CallieQ · 07/06/2023 01:18

Fgs spell it right

blueshoes · 07/06/2023 00:11

No.

continentallentil · 07/06/2023 00:07

I think I’d go for Alexander nn Alexei because then he has choices. The other spelling is v unusual so I wouldn’t.

Lululoop · 06/06/2023 17:47

I'd assume one or both his parents had Russian or Bulgarian heritage... strange otherwise

user1492757084 · 06/06/2023 09:16

No. Just call him Alex.

ourflagmeansdeath · 05/06/2023 17:38

I like it a lot but people would probably assume you'd chosen it due to his heritage.

Sugarfree23 · 05/06/2023 16:15

I think it's an odd choice. And could potentially lead to discrimination when he is older. I know it shouldn't happen but... there is no guarantee when applying for jobs that it won't happen

BatshitIsTheOnlyExplanation · 05/06/2023 16:11

I know an Alexsey and he is Ukranian

MagicalKingdom · 05/06/2023 16:09

Personally OP, I wouldn’t use either. If neither of you are from Eastern European backgrounds, I think it will look/sound strange. Each to their own though. He will probably get Alex throughout his life. It’s a lovely name and much simpler.

Chypre · 05/06/2023 16:07

People will ask "and how do you spell that" for ANY name, unless it's like "Joe". And they WILL misspell any name, also Joe (Jo, Joy, Joanne even). You might consider Latin/Greek form of Alexius as well then.

Smartiepants79 · 05/06/2023 16:01

Alexei is fine if a bit of an odd choice if you have no Eastern European connections.
I don’t like the other spelling. I’ve never seen it before and it looks wrong to me.
He will probably end up being called Alex a lot.

CurlewKate · 05/06/2023 15:56

He will spend his life answering questions. Or he will just call himself Alex. Don't.

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