Alexandra or Isabella?

[shirazz]

I know the latter is a lot more feminine sounding and therefore they are quite different, but really undecided. Second name will no doubt be Grace. Both go well with surname. Like all versions for nn for Alexandra but with Isabella, dh doesn't like Bella and I don't like Izzy much... Only a few days left and I don't want to wait until the birth as I'll be way more stressed about it then. Plus I don't think she'll look more feminine or not at just hours old.... Thoughts?

Isabella (although much prefer Isobel)

Alexandra is just too close to the male version for me, so easy to accidently say Alexander.

Alexandra. It's a no brainer. There are far too many Isabellas around already and she WILL end up as an Izzy or Bella.

Like:

Isabella (nn Bel)
Alexandra (nn Lexie)

Both lovely choices. I'd suggest that you keep saying the names with your surname, and which ever one you like saying the most wins!

hmmm they both go well with surname. Perhaps Alexandra a little better. Whichever we don't use as a first name, we are going to use 3rd I think as ds also has 2 middles. I like that Alexandra isn't as popular these days, but I agree they are both lovely names

Isobel is nicer than Isabella, lots of little Isabellas because of twilight.

Alexandra is very snobby sounding, not very pretty imo. However I do like Alex and Lexy, Alexis, Alexa just not Alexandra for some reason. It sounds very pretentious.

Definitely Alexandra. Isabella is so popular. Every second girl is called Isabelle or Isabella.

I also love love love the nn Alex for a girl.

Alexandra. I don't agree that it is snobby or pretentious. Especially when you can just shorten it to Alex, which is unisex. I can't think of many unisex names that are particularly snobby or pretentious

I considered Alexandra as a middle name for our girl's name. Although my friend did say to me about the first name "E [name]?! That's a bit posh!" So maybe I am snobby and pretentious

Alexandra. Alex is a brilliant NN.

How is Alexandra snobby or pretentious?

I think either is nice, although Isabellas are obviously a dime a dozen.

Alexandra.

Thare are so mnay Isabella's, Isobel/Isabels around, it's very of the moment.

Alexandra much more classic, and Alex is always cool.

Both lovely names. I have an Isobel and she gets Bee for short as also not so keen on Izzy (although this is probably an inevitable nickname once she starts school!)

Another vote for Alexandra (I like lexie as a nn).
Try writing them down - what they looked like written, how they flowed was very important to me for some reason!

Thanks these are all great views. Not sure I agree that Alexandra is snobby. I would also think Isabella sounds more so than Alexandra. I love them both but leaning towards Alexandra. DH prefers it now I think too as he loves Royal and classic names. Does everyone agree that Alexandra is more classic than Isabella?

Yes Alexandra is a classic. Like Isabella but the place is swarming with them.
I know an Alexandria too. V pretty.

It depends, I prefer Isabella to Alexandra but I love Sasha and I really dislike 'Izzy'. I like Bella though. Does that help!?

Are you planning to shorten ?

hmm i'd prefer not to shorten but I know it's inevitable - well at least when they get to school etc. I'm not keen on Izzy either but like Bella / Ella/ dh doesn't like bella much or Izzy but likes Isabella. We both like Alex / Ali or Lexi though. I think to use the full version of the name Alexandra is easier to use than Isabella which is slightly more of a mouthful. Not keen on Sasha but thats only becasue I knew a pet dog called that (silly really)

I do think though, that the child (while young) will get the nn used by the parents so I can kind of steer it one way or another I suppose! For eg my brother calls my dh a certain nn but it's never stuck as he's the only one who ever calls him that!

I'd say Alexandra, cos I've got one!

Isabella is too girly for me.

Yes one of my dc's class mates aged 4 at the time started calling my dc a short version of the name and it seems to have 'spread' in her whole class now, and their parents too! Invites come back to eg Gabby instead of Gabriela

I do like the 'girly' sound of Isabella, although I feel Alexandra can go wither way and I like it's classic sound. It can sound girly as well as not too frilly if she prefers it one way or another right?

I'm starting to over think it aren't I!
I feel a lot clearer now - knew I could rely on MN!

Izzy is pretty much inevitable. My parents (my Dad especially) hated Izzy and insisted on using my full name, but once you get to school and beyond, you do lose control over nicknames a bit - I guess unless you have an ingrained nn that has been used since birth. See, it probably did more harm than good my Dad insisting I be called by my full name!

If your OH doesn't like Bella, what about Bel/Belle - that is lovely.

If you both really don't like Izzy though (which I wouldn't blame you in the slightest!), Alexandra might be a safer bet.

5 dollar, yes that pretty much what we thought regarding when they get to school. I think we have pretty much made up our minds that Alexander will be the first name and Isabella in as the 2nd middle. It flows really well, although it's long (but our surname is short) I appreciate all the input, and further opinions always welcome!

I love Isabella - it's such a pretty name. Plus all Isabella's I've ever known have been lovely...!

Alexandra I have one. Loved the name right from when I was little and was so happy when ex didn't veto it.

If fact got both my favourite names by only putting them out there later on in the day when we had gone through and vetoed all other possibilities.