Alexandra or Lyla? Please help us decide

[kayr11]

We're expecting our third child any day and still can't decide on a girls name. We're between Alexandra (probably shortened to Alex) or Lyla. Any thoughts, will Lyla be a fad name, is Alex a pretty enough name? Please help!

[Wintersummerwintersummer]

I prefer Alex to Lyla. I don't like Lyla at all. Leila is really pretty though. Alexandra is a fantastic name though- edges it for me x

[WanderingNotLost]

I've got Alexandra earmarked as a name for potential future DD- but I'd shorten it to Allie or Lexie, not Alex.

[areyoubeingserviced]

Alexandra

[Elizabeth09]

I prefer Alexandra, but I do think Lila Alexandra is a nice combination (that spelling of Lila - Lyla looks wrong to me).

[BeastofCraggyIsland]

Definitely Alexandra, it's a great name. I know one and she goes by both Alex and Ally which are both really cool. Not keen on Lexi or Lex though, I have tons of patients called that (dogs!).

[CourtJester]

I initially read it and saw Lyra, which i love. However, I'm not so keen on Lyla.

Alexandra (Alex or Lex for nn) out of your two options (but Lyra, if it's up for consideration!)

[MadisonAvenue]

I know two Alexandras who go by the nickname Xana - pronounced Shanna.

[kayr11]

Thanks for all the opinions, never thought of the nickname Ally for Alexandra, I really like that as a possible alternative to Alex. I didn't realise so many people hadn't heard of Lyla, I thought it was quite well known.

[handonhip]

Alexandra. Wonderful name.

[JenniferAnistonsHair]

I prefer Alexandra - or even Alexandria

[FlossiesFurCoat]

Lilah, definitely.

Have never liked either Alex or Sandra, especially not in one name....

[GoudyStout]

2. When she is older she can put Alex on CVs and job applications and escape some of the unconscious gender bias.

Or turn up offshore and find she's been bunked up with a hairy arsed driller because they thought she was a bloke.

(Yes, it did happen to me).

[therootoftheroot]

alexandra
so many choices
alex
sandy
lex
alexa
etc etc

[FATEdestiny]

I have an Alexandra which we shorten to Alex. Her friends all call her Ally which I think is a lovely nn

[Dozer]

Lyla sounds made up and she'd be regularly asked about spelling.

[achildsjoy]

Alexandra definitely, lyla sounds made up.

[MadisonAvenue]

Lyla, because I love the Oasis song!

[Oly5]

I have an Alexa. Classy and beautiful, as is Alexandra!

[NauticalIce]

Actually, what are your thoughts on Leila/Layla? I love it

[Correios]

I have a Lyla, she's 11 now, named after the Oasis song that was released at the time she was born. Since then we have known of 4 others over the last few years, so rare but still fairly normal sounding.
She loves her name, I have no regrets, only annoyance is that is is frequently spelled incorrectly as Lila and she often gets called Lola or Layla.

[Mycraneisfixed]

How about Lyra? Not keen on your spelling of Lyla

[amarante]

My daughter is Lila. We sound it Leelah. We love it and at school she is the only one.

[NauticalIce]

Lyla... I don't like Alexandra, sorry!