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Baby names

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

Original poster

Alexandra or Esme?

60 replies

Sorrelia · 12/06/2024 22:27

Very different feel for our DD due in one week. What name is your favourite and why?
Last name is Ross.
Thank you 🥰

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atomicginge · 18/06/2024 23:55

Esme Ross looks great but sounds clunky. Alexandra Ross looks clunky but sounds great.

I like both.

PadstowGirl · 18/06/2024 23:07

Alexandra

FangsForTheMemory · 16/06/2024 22:48

Alexandra and shorten to Sasha.

LL1991 · 16/06/2024 20:29

Lots of Esmes currently. A few at nursery, a few popping up on the Instagram of the baby photographer I used. I’d go for something a little less used in current climate. Alexandra is lovely, very regal, can be shortened too. Our boy is Alexander and we’re struggling to think of literally any other names we like for baby 2!

TheWordWomanIsTaken · 16/06/2024 20:27

Esme, every time.
Don't mind Alexandra or Alessandra but hate hate hate Alex on a girl.

Hapagirl48 · 15/06/2024 11:28

I’m no help because I love them both!

mintich · 15/06/2024 11:15

Alexandra by a mile!

TemuSpecialBuy · 15/06/2024 11:13

Alexandra all dayyyyy long.
A

Brexile · 15/06/2024 11:12

Sorrelia · 15/06/2024 10:54

@honestanswers love Esme Alexandra Ross but it gives EAR as initials :)
We're still debating between Alexandra and Esme, birth is now in 5 days, first day of summer, and DH slightly prefers Alexandra, I think I still prefer Esme, just because between Alex and Esme, I prefer Esme. I would use the long form Alexandra but know it will be very likely to be shortened to Alex. I don't dislike Alex but might not love it as much as Esme.
I might be overthinking it at this stage!!

So when I named my DS, people said "You know he'll be called Alex at school, right?" I shrugged and said there were worse things one could be called at school. In the end, hardly anyone called him Alex.

(Nothing wrong with Alex, but I was at school with so many that it just seemed a bit bland and ordinary.)

KirstenBlest · 15/06/2024 11:07

It's so very rare that three initials are used though isn't it? No.
Two initials usually means duplication.

Brexile · 15/06/2024 11:07

Alexandra is far more classic. One of my DCs has a very similar name, and I've always used the long version of it.

Barleysugar86 · 15/06/2024 11:05

Sorrelia · 15/06/2024 10:54

@honestanswers love Esme Alexandra Ross but it gives EAR as initials :)
We're still debating between Alexandra and Esme, birth is now in 5 days, first day of summer, and DH slightly prefers Alexandra, I think I still prefer Esme, just because between Alex and Esme, I prefer Esme. I would use the long form Alexandra but know it will be very likely to be shortened to Alex. I don't dislike Alex but might not love it as much as Esme.
I might be overthinking it at this stage!!

It's so very rare that three initials are used though isn't it? And it's not like it's an embarrassing or rude shortening. I imagine in the vast majority of situations you'd use two- I do my minutes unless there are two people with the same first and last initial- if that's the name you love I'd use it. I think Esme first Alexandra second flows lovely and I like both names.

Original poster
Sorrelia · 15/06/2024 10:54

@honestanswers love Esme Alexandra Ross but it gives EAR as initials :)
We're still debating between Alexandra and Esme, birth is now in 5 days, first day of summer, and DH slightly prefers Alexandra, I think I still prefer Esme, just because between Alex and Esme, I prefer Esme. I would use the long form Alexandra but know it will be very likely to be shortened to Alex. I don't dislike Alex but might not love it as much as Esme.
I might be overthinking it at this stage!!

OP posts:
honestanswers · 15/06/2024 10:14

Why not go for Alexandra Esme Ross or Esme Alexandra Ross?

Pemba · 15/06/2024 07:49

I also prefer Alexandra, it seems more classic somehow, and lots of possible shortenings.

Esme seems to be very 'now', plus there's the two different pronunciations issue. But it does flow better with Ross, unfortunately.

KirstenBlest · 13/06/2024 19:47

Of the two, Alexandra. Not keen on Esme.

Lifeinlists · 13/06/2024 15:27

Alexandra. Timeless, classic, dignified. I like the full name best but I know it will most likely get shortened.

ajandjjmum · 13/06/2024 15:20

DD (early 30's) is Alexandra - known as Al, Ali, Alex, AJ. Other shortened forms she has come across have been Lexi and Sandy. She's quite happy with it, although she did go through a phase of preferring Robyn which was our alternative choice all those years ago!

SmellsLikeMiddleAgeSpirit · 13/06/2024 15:15

Alexandra is my favourite girls’ name. It’s so strong, classy and elegant. It won’t surprise you to learn that it’s the name of my oldest daughter 👧

Esme is… OK, quite nice.

Moll98 · 13/06/2024 12:31

I absolutely love Alexandra and would definitely use it - unfortunately my husband doesn't like it 😕 so we can't

Firsttimebabymummy · 13/06/2024 11:16

Sorrelia · 13/06/2024 09:46

Thank you all for your answers, i read them all! Its now firmly between these two and I am leaning a bit towards Alexandra. They are so different!
@Firsttimebabymummy Alexandra Joy, what a great name. Is your daughter old enough to say whether she likes her name? What was people's reaction to it, and do they automatically shorten it?
I am pleased by the positive feedback on Alexandra, didn't expect it.

She's only 6 weeks so no! Only had good reactions but I suppose people wouldn't say they don't like once they're here (we announced name when she was born)
Pretty sure MIL wasn't keen tho. She kept suggesting Pandora and Bloom when we revealed we were having a girl- obviously different taste xx

My health visitor said she hadn't seen an Alexandra in ages xx

FluffMagnet · 13/06/2024 11:04

Alexandra, every time.

OperationalSupport · 13/06/2024 09:58

I have a 6yo Alexandra. She goes by Alex, and likes her name. I’ve let her know she can shorten to Lexi, Alexa, Lexa, Zandra, Sandra, Allie, Sasha, Andie, but she is happy with Alex. The fact that it’s classic, ageless and has a variety of shortenings influenced us picking it. I do also like that when she’s older applying for jobs that Alex is gender neutral.
She’s also an AJ but we don’t call her that much.

Original poster
Sorrelia · 13/06/2024 09:46

@Parfortheparsnip same question :)

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Original poster
Sorrelia · 13/06/2024 09:46

Thank you all for your answers, i read them all! Its now firmly between these two and I am leaning a bit towards Alexandra. They are so different!
@Firsttimebabymummy Alexandra Joy, what a great name. Is your daughter old enough to say whether she likes her name? What was people's reaction to it, and do they automatically shorten it?
I am pleased by the positive feedback on Alexandra, didn't expect it.

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