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Original poster

Is Alexander really, really popular?

60 replies

Bear2014 · 06/04/2017 14:47

We're due our second child this summer and it's been double-confirmed today to be a boy. We are fairly set on the name Alexander as it has strong family connections on my side (baby will have OH's surname) and we can't seem to agree on any others, as we have very different name tastes.

Just having a wobble about if it's too popular, really. There is one in DD's nursery group but no others that we know. We live in London.

Big sis is Eleanor.

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britespark1 · 06/04/2017 17:07

Ha Bunty! No problem. He is only 5 and I'm sure Alex will end up being what he chooses anyway Wink

BuntyFigglesworthSpiffington · 06/04/2017 17:09

I'm sure your Xander is utterly un-twitish!

britespark1 · 06/04/2017 17:10

Erm, not really at the moment tbh!

HabbyHadno · 06/04/2017 17:12

I'm going to have an Alexander too this Summer. It's the only name me and DH agree on.

HabbyHadno · 06/04/2017 17:19

We really like Xander too, but we thought if we went for the full name we'd have a choice if we/he didn't like Xander later on.

GreedyDuck · 06/04/2017 17:29

I'm considering Alexander if I have a boy, I think it's a lovely strong sounding name. My only issue is that I don't particular like any of the diminutives (apart from Sasha, and I fear that marks me out as a bit of a ponce).

I can't get worked up about whether or not it's too popular. I know a handful, spread across the generations, but it's hardly up there with Dave or John. In my corner of Nth. London it'll make a refreshing chance to all the Herbies and Dexters tbh.

Jecan · 06/04/2017 17:29

I have one too and there are a few others around but it's not super popular. He gets his whole name at home but is mostly Alex at school. It's still my all time favourite boys name

BeanSprout79 · 06/04/2017 17:40

It was always going to be my baby boys name til my sister stole it! I love Alexander and would definitely use it if my sister hadn't.

carbuncleonapigsposterior · 06/04/2017 17:54

One of my sons is an Alexander, shortened to Alex it's inevitable that Alexanders end up with a shortened version. Mine is 30 now, I'm glad the name is still popular it's very classic A word of warning all the Alex's I have encountered, a few, mine being no exception, seem to have been challenging, at times Hmm

Oysterbabe · 06/04/2017 17:57

It's been consistently a top 20 name for about 20 years. It's popular but not top 5 popular and it's not faddy.

Sophronia · 06/04/2017 18:22

It's popular but not trendy. Love Alec.

budgiegirl · 06/04/2017 19:07

It's a lovely name, but it is popular. Out of 13 boys in my DDs class, there are 3 Alexanders, and in her scout troop there are another 3.
I also know another 2 as well !

Rockaby · 06/04/2017 19:18

I only know two children named Alexander. Both are between 1 and 2 years old.

Re nicknames, one goes by his full name and the other was Xander from the day he was born. Tbh I found Xander a bit forced when I said it in conversation, which has actually put me off it a bit as a shortening. I've noticed lately that his parents have started referring to him by his full name recently. I have no idea why that is, but I'm taking their lead and doing the same.

ProlificPoster · 06/04/2017 20:36

I know some in each of my 4 DCs age groups they are 20 - 25

It's a common name but it's also really nice.

justwanttoweeinpeace · 06/04/2017 20:42

Laughing at this thread 😊 we have a Xander who is generally not a twit.

It obvs becomes second nature to say it when you're asking him to put his shoes on several hundred times a day.

The downside is that people often spell it with a Z, and it regularly gets misheard as Sandra. My midwife managed two weeks calling him Sandra and giving me the side eye 😂

We were very close to calling him Alexander but a close friend beat us to it, hence one Alec and one Xander.

smilingsarahb · 06/04/2017 20:49

Lots round here (surrey) nice name but plenty of them around.

museumum · 06/04/2017 20:49

I like it but I most like sandy as a shortening (I'm Scottish). I think sandy is less popular than Alex.

brickinitIam · 06/04/2017 21:13

Alexander for a boy, What a beautiful name.
I also love Alexandra for a girl

brickinitIam · 06/04/2017 21:14

Oh yes. It's fairly popular, but it's popular for a reason.
It's a great name! Smile

Beeziekn33ze · 06/04/2017 23:41

London, Y8, 4 in class plus a variation. Some older ones too including a pleasant, non-twittish, Xander who may not be known to Bunty!

It's a great traditional name, you like it so use it, popular or not! I think it has been steadily popular for hundreds of years.

YoungYolandaYorgensen39 · 06/04/2017 23:47

It's a good solid name. There will always be Alexanders about but there aren't masses of them because it's not trendy.

It goes very well with Eleanor. Both quite traditional.

Another fan of Sascha and Sandy here for diminutives.

JonesyAndTheSalad · 07/04/2017 01:51

Lex is a very feminine name though OP. I know four versions of female Lex. I know a Lexus, Lexi and two Alexis's who are all called Lex.

mylaptopismylapdog · 07/04/2017 03:13

If you like it, does it really matter, my son is named Henry but called Harry and he was surrounded by boys with the both those names at school but non of them seemed to mind. At uni he's decided to be Henry which is fine.

Original poster
Bear2014 · 07/04/2017 07:23

Thanks all! We probably will end up using it. I like the fact that even though it does seem to be popular everywhere, it's not faddy. One of the reasons it appeals is that it goes back to the 1700s on my Dad's family tree Smile

OP posts:
Sammysquiz · 07/04/2017 09:28

It is popular but that's because it's a really lovely name!

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