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Original poster

Thoughts on ALEXA/ALEXANDRA

38 replies

happygreeneggsandham · 09/10/2013 10:09

What is your first thought when you hear this name? I'm not British so I need to know how this name comes across to native English speakers. What kind of family does Alexa/Alexandra come from? In which social category would you put Alexa/Alexandra? Alexandra is the name for the birth certificate,Alexa is the short form for everyday use.

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manicinsomniac · 09/10/2013 10:45

I love the name. I don't know the answer to any of your other questions though, I just see it as a name. I think it is used by anybody and everybody and is very recognised in English.

mrssmith79 · 09/10/2013 10:59

Alexa / Alexandra very recognised and a lovely 'proper' name. The shortening to 'Lexie', however, I hate (so, so sorry to anyone with a Lexie) and where I live i'd suggest it's more associated with the type of 'social category' you're probably not looking to aspire to.

BlueStarsAtNight · 09/10/2013 11:27

I think nice, but a bit safe/ dull, sorry! I do like Alexa best of all the shortenings. I'd see it as similar to Elizabeth (which I also find uninspiring I'm afraid), in that it's a straightforward name, everyone knows it, but not popular in a faddy way. I wouldn't say it stands out as a particular social class, though possible slightly towards the posh side rather than the 'common' side (sorry can't think of a nicer way to put it!), though Lexie a a shortening sounds more common than posh (just my opinion, think Lola's Lexie in eastenders hasn't helped the name!).

Alexa007 · 09/10/2013 18:57

My name!
Love it!!

Sparklysilversequins · 09/10/2013 19:13

It's my favourite girls name.

smithwillsam · 10/10/2013 08:33

ALEXA/ALEXANDRA very popular name in english speeking countries. I love the name.

vichill · 10/10/2013 08:39

alexandra is the better of the two. either will likely be shortened to lexie though, which imo is a bit chav.

AnnieLobeseder · 10/10/2013 08:44

It's perfectly normal name and would be found across all types of families, I think. My DD2 is Alexandra, and we're Surrey middle class. We call her Allie.

vichill · 10/10/2013 09:14

Allies nice and definitely more middle class. Get in there early and tell people that if they must shorten use allie not lexie!

Coupon · 10/10/2013 09:25

Alexandra is a lovely name with lots of nickname potential.

Original poster
happygreeneggsandham · 10/10/2013 12:24

We love Alexandra because it's a classic name but not so popular as Sophie, Isabelle and Emily. And it sounds good with our French surname.

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LeoandBoosmum · 10/10/2013 13:02

I like Alex, but not Alexa or Alexandra... Hate Lexie!
I have a cousin, Alex-Marie, and I've always loved that, even though I don't normally like it when two names are linked (Sarah-Jane, for example). She generally goes by Alex now.

LeoandBoosmum · 10/10/2013 13:05

Just adding, I just don't like the sound of Alexa. Alexandra just sounds a bit too posh for me Grin... I feel the same way about Sebastian for a boy! Lexie just sounds really chavvy to me.
Alex sounds just right to my ear... This is starting to sound like a scene from Goldilocks and the Three Bears! Grin

cupcake78 · 10/10/2013 13:07

Not keen on Alexa but Alexandra is my favourite. Sister called Alexandra shortened to Alex.

Lovely name!

Bowlersarm · 10/10/2013 13:12

Prefer Alexa to Alex.

Alexandra I would think goes well across all the social classes.

I had no idea Lexie was considered chavvy. (Maybe because I don't know any chavs Grin). Just as well I didn't have a girl, because that would have been a contender.

Layl77 · 10/10/2013 13:40

Alexa the x stands out to me so I prefer Alexandra. I think sexy Lexie don't like that at all.

PlayedThePinkOboe · 10/10/2013 13:47

I'm an Alexandra - it's of greek origin and an international classic. Does it pass the "calling out" test? In spades!

Lexie otoh makes my lip curl and is best left to the pages of Hello.

Original poster
happygreeneggsandham · 10/10/2013 14:17

Well, I love Alexandra as a name for a grown woman, but I don;t like LExie or Alex as shortenings. I can't think of a better short name as Alexa.

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Original poster
happygreeneggsandham · 10/10/2013 14:19

What about Lalie? Or Sandie?

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Bowlersarm · 10/10/2013 14:21

Noooooo not Sandie!

Sasha?

Thurlow · 10/10/2013 14:25

Our Alexandra is Alex or Allie. I hate Lexie too (sorry Lexies!) and I'm not keen on Lalie or Sandy. Alexa is nice, but there's a high chance it might get shortened at school to Al, Alllie or Alex so if you really don't like those, beware. I say I hate Lexie but have reconciled myself to the fact it might happen!

Original poster
happygreeneggsandham · 10/10/2013 14:26

in France, Sasha is a male name (there was a writer called Sacha Guitry)

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slug · 10/10/2013 15:01

DD is an Alexandra. She's a Lexi because there have always been loads of Alexs around whereas she's the only Lexi we know

DoudousDoor · 10/10/2013 15:06

I like Alex for a girl, so we're thinking Alexandra or Alexia as the full name (French-British family).

But it's true you can't control nicknames. Allie would be ok but Lexie wouldn't because it'd get muddled with a couple of other names in our family.

TheSporkforeatingkyriarchy · 10/10/2013 15:07

I have an Alexandra, she always goes by her full name regardless of what the rest of us think (she will respond to any variant, including just "A", but if you ask if she is [nickname] she will say "No, I'm Alexandra.").