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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Alexa

82 replies

Chriss82 · 12/12/2018 09:34

Hi, our 2.5 year old toddler is called Alexa, before the amazon device was around. However we are increasingly worried about the impact for her now as the name has now been highjacked and we are considering changing it to Alexandra. Are we being paranoid?

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ARRRGGGGHHHHHHH · 12/12/2018 16:25

I have a son called Maxwell and Alexa goes off when we say his name quite often so to have the same name must be really annoying. Sounds like you're quite keen to change it for other reasons too so just go for it!

EloisaJane · 12/12/2018 20:31

I'm assuming the issue isn't so much that the echo goes off everytime Alexa is said (as you can obviously change that) but more that an entire population associate the name Alexa with the amazon echo and therefore will make Alexa jokes etc. Is that right OP?

I can see your issue with it and it actually sounds like you might prefer the name Alexandra, so go for it and change it on the BC. She can still get called Alexa but gives her lots of options in later life. Alexandra is one of the most beautiful and versatile names out there IMO.
Lots of people have longer BC names that are hardly ever used, but they still appreciate the option in later life to reinvent themselves or just change things up a bit.

Original poster

Chriss82 · 12/12/2018 20:45

Eloisejane you have read the situation exactly. We loved the name Alexa as it was short but strong and went well with our surname. Also there wasn't many others around with the same name and whilst we liked Alexandra we thought it was a bit long as an everyday name so Alexa was perfect. We did a lot research and at the time nothing came up about amazon.

However now the association with the name Alexa is no longer a girls name but this device which you can order about, who would want that for their own name never mind your daughter. So we think if we're going to do it, it's now or never as it really would be unfair on her.

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SenoraSurf · 13/12/2018 22:11

I teach an Alexa and the amount of times I've heard other teachers and children say 'Alexa, stop talking' is unreal.

3boysandabump · 13/12/2018 22:20

I wouldn't change her name. Just a heads up our Alexa responds to people saying my name and I'm an Alexandra

Original poster

Chriss82 · 13/12/2018 22:22

Hi SenoraSurf thanks for replying, I think this is my worry that the social perception is to talk to Alexa like she can be ordered about and not a human being. In your opinion are we wish to consider a name change?

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Original poster

Chriss82 · 13/12/2018 22:25

Hi 3boysandabump I appreciate that the device might go off when you say your name but atleast you say your name without the social prejudice.

OP posts:

LittleBirdBlues · 13/12/2018 22:25

This is just one opinion or course but I know a 4 year old Alexa and it would never have occurred to me to associate her with the device. I don't think it will be a problem to be honest. Plus as others have said in the long run the technology wilk be replaced and/or there will be more devices with other first names so people will get used to separating between the two.

itisitis · 13/12/2018 22:27

My colleagues daughter is called Alexa and has been having similar thoughts to yours. But never has she mentioned she doesn't like the name because it's something you can order about and be submissive, it's more because people say "oh Alexa? Like amazon?". She doesn't like the association. But, she's not going to change her daughters name, instead her Alexa has renamed their Alexa device to Elsa.

I agree with previous comments that the device won't be around forever. Alexa is a beautiful name which will grow with your daughter. Please don't change it.

Original poster

Chriss82 · 13/12/2018 22:29

Hi LittleBirdBlues thanks for your message. It just seems like this Alexa device is taking over the world and its not fair on people called Alexa. Do you know if the parents of the Alexa you know concerned or are we being paranoid?

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Original poster

Chriss82 · 13/12/2018 22:34

Hi itisitis I pleased in one way to hear that we are not the only parents with the same concerns. Alexa was a beautiful name before this pointless device came along. I feel the Alexa software will be around for quite sometime given the amount of advertising of it.

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babydreamer1 · 13/12/2018 22:48

I know a Lexi, short for Alexandra. Lovely girl, lovely name.

TurquoiseDress · 14/12/2018 11:59

Definitely keep it as Alexa- its a beautiful name, one that you don't hear that often

The Amazon thing is annoying, I agree, but really do not think you should change her name because of it

She's 2.5 now and she will clearly be an Alexa not an alex, alexandra or anything else

tammytoby · 14/12/2018 12:03

I agree, don't change her name! Alexa is beautiful and she will know her name by now.

I think you can change the command name on the device to another name.

Original poster

Chriss82 · 14/12/2018 12:46

Thanks for your replies, I worry this technology is going to grow into bigger things and our window of opportunity to do this is now or never whilst she is still young enough.

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tammytoby · 14/12/2018 14:02

Why don't you wait until she is old enough to decide for herself? Maybe a new technology will have replaced amazon's device anyway. It's s beautiful name!

Original poster

Chriss82 · 14/12/2018 14:43

This technology has grow quickly in the past year and this conglomerate have thrown so much money at it to make it work. I don't think we can wait, I believe it needs to be done before she is in school.

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RavenWings · 14/12/2018 18:31

Alexa is a lot nicer than Alexandra imo. I wouldn't be overly concerned about the tech.

MarshaBradyo · 14/12/2018 18:34

It’s hard I understand what you’re saying as it’s so ubiquitous

Plus it’s tech where people say ‘she’ and know the name well

But then I thought I wouldn’t change dd’s name if it was hers although it would annoy me a lot (I think)

Can you find parents of older Alexas and see what the child thinks? Although best place is probably on here

MarshaBradyo · 14/12/2018 18:35

The I think is more in relation to changing it

I know it would annoy me

KismetHardie · 14/12/2018 18:41

I can really see why you're struggling. Yes, the technology may well have been and gone by the time she's 20, but it has a very specific role at the moment which will grow for the next few years at least. It's a beautiful name and you couldn't have foreseen this, but I understand the decision to change it.

Original poster

Chriss82 · 14/12/2018 18:42

This s tearing me apart as I feel so stupid for giving her a unique name and I know she will be laughed at because of this. I really can't bear the thought of changing my little girl's name but really can't see any other outcome. This is why I asked on here in the hope that parents of other Alexa's would say if they feel the same way?

OP posts:

MarshaBradyo · 14/12/2018 18:46

I know I’m surprised more haven’t answered

Original poster

Chriss82 · 14/12/2018 18:50

Maybe I'm over exaggerating, but I can't say her name at the moment without feeling sad

OP posts:

GrannyHaddock · 14/12/2018 19:09

Don't change it, OP. It's a beautiful name, it's been around for thousands of years in one form or another, and people you know will get used to it. You don't have to justify it or explain to anyone.

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