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Baby names

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

Original poster

Alex or Xander ?

63 replies

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 22/06/2023 12:06

Which do you prefer as a shortening for Alexander?
the name is so long that I think it is inevitable that it will be shortened. My husband prefers Alex but I am leaning towards Xander.

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DappledThings · 22/06/2023 18:22

I don't think there's any point trying to choose a diminutive. Some people will use one, some might use another, he might have his own opinion.

Having said that my nephew is nearly 8 and always been Alexander. Never heard anyone shorten it.

SequinsandStilettos · 22/06/2023 18:20

Alex/Al/Ali/Lex/Xander/Xan
You may well end up using them all!
I teach more Alexes (NW)

afrikat · 22/06/2023 18:19

Love Xander

ThreePaws · 22/06/2023 18:18

I prefer Xander.

SummerLovingg · 22/06/2023 18:07

Xander is absolutely awful.

RuthW · 22/06/2023 18:06

I love Xander. Dislike Alex

ThatsRoughBuddy · 22/06/2023 17:55

Mine goes by Xander but it’s only me and his older brother that call him that. Everyone else calls him by his full name which must be unusual as all other Alexanders he knows go by Alex.

Fandabedodgy · 22/06/2023 17:36

ZacharinaQuack · 22/06/2023 12:06

In Scotland he could be Sandy or Eck.

Or Alex pronounced as Alec

Superdupes · 22/06/2023 17:36

Alex for me. Xander sounds a bit pretentious to my ears.

SkyAboveSoBlue · 22/06/2023 17:30

I like both but think Xander is nicer.

Beachhutnut · 22/06/2023 17:29

Alex or Alec

FayCarew · 22/06/2023 17:28

Alex or Alec. Not keen on Xander, sounds like a fish

SirChenjins · 22/06/2023 17:28

Alex - Xander sounds really drippy imo, especially when it’s pronounced Xahhhnder

Mutabiliss · 22/06/2023 17:27

Xander, it's lovely. There are two in my son's nursery and I know another in primary, so definitely common around here!

lljkk · 22/06/2023 17:26

imho, because you asked, and this is nothing to do with any real human beings:

I really dislike Xander. It's "obviously" not nice.
Al, Alex, Andy, so many other NNs I'm fine with. Even Sasha & Alec at a stretch.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 22/06/2023 17:23

Love classic/timeless Alexander - great choice.

But it's definitely Xander or even Xan/Xand for me for the diminutive. Too many Alex's about and speaking as someone at school in the 80's/90's many of them were girls too which might get confusing (may not be a problem these days though, as younger ones seem to go by "Lexi" instead now?)

Missytizzy · 22/06/2023 17:16

Nothing ridiculous about Xander!! What an odd comment. I think it’s lovely.

Schum · 22/06/2023 13:27

Xander. Alex is very popular.

Parsley1234 · 22/06/2023 13:10

I guess it depends on your demographic Xan and Xander would be very normal here Alex would be ok too

tacomaco · 22/06/2023 13:09

Alex or Xander. I like both. Big Scotland rugby fan though!

I agree with Sandy in Scotland too.

Sasha to be is a dog name.

Beeswood · 22/06/2023 13:09

Alex

ZenNudist · 22/06/2023 13:07

Alex. Xander makes you look a bit ridiculous

IhearyouClemFandango · 22/06/2023 13:05

We have an Alexander. He was Sandy as a baby, but is now Alex or Ali. I like Xandy/Xander, but dh doesn’t.

toastofthetown · 22/06/2023 13:04

I prefer Alex, though my favourite diminutive is Sacha/Sasha.

SallyWD · 22/06/2023 12:53

I prefer Alex but I'm a bit old fashioned.

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