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

Thoughts on Alexis?

28 replies

JealousMarkovic · 27/10/2020 10:20

I think Alexander is a little too popular for my liking to use, though I do like it a lot. Alastair is also ok as an alternative, however I don’t like the fact it doesn’t have the “Alex” in it that you could shorten it to. So right now, I quite Alexis as you could easily have the Al/Ally/Alex shortenings in it still. I also like the history of name. What do people think? Feel free to be as a brutal as you like

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4amWitchingHour · 27/10/2020 10:23

If you're going to shorten it to Alex anyway, just use Alexander. It's a classic, so will always be popular.

Squeakerfoot · 27/10/2020 10:24

Love it. I know both a male and female adult Alexis (suits both), but no little ones. It's a really nice name.

unmarkedbythat · 27/10/2020 10:26

I'd just go with Alexander and not worry that it's a popular name; I have one of those names that was massively overused in the 70s and early 80s and it's not an issue and never has been.

Alex is perfectly fine as a name in its own right anyway- it doesn't need to be Alexander.

BiBabbles · 27/10/2020 10:35

Alexis is lovely.

I think Alexander has more flexibility (I actually know a young Alexander who goes by Alexis), but Alexis is a great name too and if you want something a bit different, it's a good choice.

ifiwasascent · 27/10/2020 10:41

I love Alexis but I only know girl Alexiss not boys. How about Alec of Aled if you're worried about it being too popular. Alex is my fave boys name but I'm also struggling with the popularity

Enko · 27/10/2020 10:44

I love Alexis but I only know girl Alexis not boys.

I agree with this but I think its a beautiful name

Autumnblooms · 27/10/2020 10:45

I like it and would use it but not now because of Alexa, if they ever go to someone’s home with it, or you get one it will constantly set it off

Autumnblooms · 27/10/2020 10:45

Ignore that, just tried it- it doesn’t respond. Go for it, I love the name

halcyondays · 27/10/2020 10:46

I’ve only heard of Alexis as a girls’ name.

RedMarauder · 27/10/2020 10:48

People aren't calling their child "Alexis" because of "Alexa". Do you want your child to really be called an Amazon product by mistake by people?

Just call your child Alexander/Alexandra then they can have variety of nicknames e.g. Al,Alex, Xander/Xandra, Xand....

ShrimpSymphony · 27/10/2020 10:52

I’ve only heard it used as girls name. It has a harsh 80s vibe to me

RedMarauder · 27/10/2020 10:55

@ShrimpSymphony

I’ve only heard it used as girls name. It has a harsh 80s vibe to me
It's from Dynasty, an 80s US soap about the super-rich. There was a character in it called "Alexis Carrington" who was supposed to be a bitch.
Chonkyfire · 27/10/2020 11:02

I love it.

I have been friends with an Alexandra for over forty years and she usually goes by Alex. I have always loved it, it suited her when she was young (it was a very uncommon name for a girl back then) and it suits her now. She has been called loads of different things from people though - Alexis, Lexy even Eck Grin. She did get Alexis loads during the Dynasty years which she told me she loved because Alexis was she thought she was so great.

JealousMarkovic · 27/10/2020 11:13

@halcyondays @ShrimpSymphony throughout history it was considered a male name. It’s the name of a 3rd century Greek comic poet along with a variety of different saints. I’ve never heard of it as being unisex/feminine before so this is news to me

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Squeakerfoot · 27/10/2020 11:21

In France it is just used for boys, but in the UK it is used for both. I am surprised that some people have only ever heard it used for girls. Originally it was a male name and I've come across a few men with the name. There's also the musician Alexis Taylor from Hot Chip. I have known a few women called Alexis too.

All the ones I've met (male and female) have been good-looking creative types so I only have good associations!

TicTacTwo · 27/10/2020 11:29

I didn't realise that it could be for boys too. I think of Alexis Carrington from Dynasty. I would say that the character has led to a decrease in Alexis rather than the name Alexa which I've only heard women called. (Alexa Chung)

I think Alexander is a great name with lots of nickname potential if your child doesn't like Alex - Lex, Xander...

SeanCailleach · 27/10/2020 12:26

I like Alexis - know three boys with the name all Greek heritage.

Oneandabean · 27/10/2020 12:30

I’ve only known alexis for a girl, it’s quite feminine, I can’t imagine it on a boy and there’s a chance he would be in school with one or two girl alexis.

Bannister · 27/10/2020 12:31

It says villainous Alexis Colby Carrington to me, too Joan Collins scheming with giant hair, diamonds and shoulder pads a character supposedly partly inspired by Donald Trump and JR Ewing.

notonmytime · 27/10/2020 12:32

@Oneandabean

I’ve only known alexis for a girl, it’s quite feminine, I can’t imagine it on a boy and there’s a chance he would be in school with one or two girl alexis.
Also only ever heard used for a girl in the UK. Dynasty plus Schitts Creek.
username1724 · 28/10/2020 01:24

I've never considered Alexis but its actually a really strong and beautiful name. And very much unisex. I think Alexander is so bland as there was so many at school. I also know an Alexei which is another nice alternative

alexdgr8 · 28/10/2020 01:34

@4amWitchingHour

If you're going to shorten it to Alex anyway, just use Alexander. It's a classic, so will always be popular.
i agree with this. i think of alexis as a male name. but it seems to have predominantly female and nasty connotations in the english-speaking world. all the best. makes a nice change for someone to want a solid proper name with a pedigree, rather than some mickey-mouse concoction.
DramaAlpaca · 28/10/2020 01:38

Alexis in the UK is a female name to me, I was at school with a couple.

The only male Alexis I've come across is French.

For a boy I much prefer Alexander.

en0lagay · 28/10/2020 01:45

Not if you have an Amazon echo, no.

loobyloo1234 · 28/10/2020 10:23

My DF is called Alexis - female