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Baby names

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

Alexandra or Eleanor?

37 replies

Howwillicope · 17/11/2019 07:04

Would shorten the first to Alex, the latter to Ellie.
I’m leaning towards Alexandra more but would love opinions!

OP posts:
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BillHadersNewWife · 17/11/2019 08:15

Well I think Alexandra is too easily mistaken for Alexander...both in speaking and reading.

And Alex is not very pretty is it? Eleanor is much nicer. I don't really love Ellie but it's nicer than Alex.

chocatoo · 17/11/2019 08:24

How about Alexis?

NoSauce · 17/11/2019 08:25

Both names are beautiful but I hate Alex and Ellie, sorry.

cptartapp · 17/11/2019 08:29

^this
But Eleanor in its entirety is lovely. Don't know you could stop the inevitable nn though.
Alexa or ESther?

daisypond · 17/11/2019 08:29

I really like Alexandra and Eleanor but those short forms are so nothing-y. Eleanor is my favourite.

user1493494961 · 17/11/2019 08:32

Both lovely names, prefer Eleanor but Ellie's are everywhere, I would choose Nel if you have to shorten.

BatleyTownswomensGuild · 17/11/2019 08:32

"And Alex is not very pretty is it? "

I would disagree. But, for the sake of argument, does a girl's name have to be 'pretty'? Surely in 2019 we've moved on from that...

I absolutely LOVE Alex. It's strong, timeless, cool and it's easy to pronounce and spell.

SoftBlocks · 17/11/2019 08:33

Alexandra.

newdeer · 17/11/2019 08:36

I love both. One traditional nickname for Alexandra is Sacha which I think is cute. And there's Lexie too, or Allie, Al, Lexa, Xandra, Xan, Sandie - loads of variations as well as Alex. It's such a versatile name and so elegant in its long form. It would be my first choice.

I love Eleanor but it will inevitably get shortened to Ellie which is pretty but ubiquitous.

Chilver · 17/11/2019 08:37

Alexandra 'warrior of men' - strong, timeless, multitude of diminutives (Sasha, Xandra, Alex, Lex, Lexi, Andra, Adra etc)

Eleanor seems a bit dated and there are lots and lots of Ellie's around where I am.

NoSauce · 17/11/2019 08:41

I don’t think a girls names have to be pretty but I find Alex very masculine and plain when compared to Alexandra.

bellylaughs · 17/11/2019 08:49

I have an Eleanor who’s now a teenager. On the way home from hospital with her as a newborn my DH called her Ellie and it just didn’t seem right! Also I was worried she would forever be Ellie and never be able to go back to the full version, so we stuck with Eleanor and I’ve always loved it. (She gets called Elz by her sisters!)

AlexandraThePanda · 17/11/2019 09:07

I'm an Alexandra and I like my name but absolutely hate Alex as I've always felt that it's a boys name. I was also constantly called Alexander as a child which drove me mad. My nickname was always Ali and I much prefer that to Alex.

Cookit · 17/11/2019 09:27

I love Alexandra, such a strong name. Eleanor too but Alexandra edges it for me.
(Not sure about the being confused with Alexander bit because one is clearly a male name and one clearly a female).

HarryRug · 17/11/2019 09:28

Alexandra is beautiful. Also like Alexia. Never been a fan of Elenor and every other child at our children’s school is Ellie.

bellinisurge · 17/11/2019 09:33

Both lovely names in short or long form.

Howwillicope · 17/11/2019 09:34

Thanks all! Alexandra is my favourite, DH prefers Eleanor. Think it’s inevitable that a longer name will be shortened but prefer the nicknames for Alexandra ie Alex or Ali is lovely! Really not keen on Lexi Hmm

OP posts:
NoSauce · 17/11/2019 09:43

I love Ali as a nn.

MikeUniformMike · 17/11/2019 14:18

Alexandra is my favourite.
Eleanor is OK, as is Ellie, but they're a bit overused.
I don't like Lexi at all.

icecreamsundae32 · 17/11/2019 14:41

Much prefer Eleanor - prefer Ella or Elle to Ellie though.

diddlediddle · 17/11/2019 17:40

Both excellent names! Love it.

I personally love Alex for a girl. Not keen on Ellie, so many about. Could shorten Eleanor to something else though - Elle, Lena.

The meaning of Alexandra is quite powerful - protector of mankind. Can Eleanor be a middle name?

You can't go wrong OP, great names.

MissHenty · 17/11/2019 17:52

Love Eleanor

userabcname · 17/11/2019 17:54

Alexandra

TatianaLarina · 17/11/2019 19:03

Alexandra by miles. Eleanor reminds me of Eeyore and there are way too many Ellies.

Alex, Alexa and Sacha are cool nns.

TatianaLarina · 17/11/2019 19:04

Can’t stand Lexi either OP but you can put your foot down about that.