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Baby names

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

Original poster

Victoria/Alexandra

28 replies

idgohome · 07/05/2024 23:03

Hi all, DH and I have just had our baby girl on the 2nd of May, she is our long awaited IVF rainbow baby and we are so delighted to have her!
Before she was born we had settled on Zara Victoria, I liked that it meant Shining Victory which feels very apt and it felt like a strong name.
Our runner up was Elena Alexandra.

Here is the issue, the more I look at baby the more I feel Victoria or even Alexandra (though less so) suit her so much better!
I hate all the nicknames for these names though, I could maybe deal with Vee or Ria and potentially Lex but Vicky/Vic/Tori, Alex/Lexi/Sandy are very much hates! I do like Vika but I don’t think that’s a natural nickname.

Do you think it is possible to use a name like Victoria or Alexandra (heavily leaning to Victoria) without it being shortened to one of the names we hate?

Are we better sticking with Zara which can’t really be shortened?
Help please!

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Lasagnapls · 07/05/2024 23:29

My niece is 21 and named Victoria, she has never really had a nickname, Viv/Vivee (Vih-Vee) briefly as a toddler but from about 3 she started saying "No it is Victoria" , her boyfriend calls her V now but everyone else it is Victoria. It is a gorgeous name and if that is where your preference is you should definitely use it! Victoria Elizabeth is my nieces name but Victoria Alexandra is gorgeous too.

DramaAlpaca · 07/05/2024 23:20

I love Vika too. It's worth mentioning that it is considered a natural diminutive of Victoria/Viktoria in Eastern Europe.

That said, I love Zara Victoria.

toastofthetown · 07/05/2024 23:10

It’s possible to avoid those nicknames, but it depends on the person with the name wanting to avoid them, and your daughter may well prefer them. You can only control what people cal her for a few years. Then it’s up to her and her friends. Personally I’d stick with Zara. The name isn’t your name; it’s your daughter’s, and she should be free to use it how she wants to, which includes the associated diminutives.

If the most intuitive nicknames are intolerable to you, then the name isn’t the right one. I know people who don’t shorten names which are frequently shortened (including a Victoria) but I also know people who’s parents insist on using their full name when the child has made it clear they they want to be called the diminutive.