Alexander / Alex connotations?

[Cherry299410]

Help please!

DS2 arrived very recently and we thought we had our name sorted...Alexander, it was a compromise on both sides as we simply couldn’t agree (we used up our fav “boy name” on DS1!) people inevitably shorten (although didn't expect “Al” which I hate and I do correct people) although I’m not sure I like Alex and I’m worried what connotations the name brings??

Thoughts from teachers would be especially appreciated! Probably hormones...but i’m stressing people might see him as aggressive or something?!

Other names I like: Charlie, George, and Oliver.

Alexander (Alex) is gorgeous. DDs boyfriend is an Alex.
It's one of those names that ticks all the boxes. Suits any class and any age.
Pretty and feminine for a women yet masculine and strong yet gentle sounding for a man. Its never really been overly popular. Therefore its not likely to date. However if you don't like all of the possible nns I'd say go with something else. He may want to go for something entirely different to Alex
Zander. Ally. Andy.

I have an Alexander/Alex/Al. We literally call him Al!

I wanted Oliver but was talked out of it as it was so common amongst other school kids we knew

DS2 is Alex, DS1 has Alexander as his 2nd name. Love both names!

My DS1 is a beautiful Alexander, called Xander by us and close family/friends.

Alexander is gorgeous - classical, strong, international, there's a reason it's stayed in the top 100 in the UK for over a century!

One of the benefits of Alexander is there are nearly a dozen nn's/variations on the name. I'm not a huge fan of Alex (maybe because I've known too many of them - both boys and girls so the nn seems a bit "blah"?), and Al to me is a more common nn for Albert or Alfred. But I think if you use a different shortening from his early years then the majority of people will use that (unless he himself insists on Alex or Al when older). I like Lex, Alec, Xan or Xander myself.

I dated a bit of a twat called Alex once...but unless you also dated him I see no reason not to use the name! It’s a lovely name, I don’t think it has any negative connotations.

It is an excellent name.

‘Sasha’ is also the shortened version of Alexander. Doesn’t make sense to me though!

Lovely name

Lots of nn potential - Alex, Sasha, Xander, Xand, Xan, Al, Ali, Alec

Sasha’ is also the shortened version of Alexander. Doesn’t make sense to me though!

It's common in mainland Europe, especially Russia, Eastern Europe and France

I like Alexander the ones I know from school are lovely. It’s my ds middle name because dh & I couldn’t agree on nn I liked xander & him Lex and we knew everyone else would shorten it to Alex.

@AuntieStella yes..I suppose it’s not an obvious nickname similar to Peggy being a nickname for Margaret.

I'm a teacher and think Alex is great! Really lovely name. Quite unusual atm as well. I've taught a couple and they've always been Alex, not Al. Just make it clear what you prefer at school etc.
Do you think you're having a wobble because the name was a 'compromise'? Is there anything else you'd prefer now as you can still change it if you're not keen? But if you like it, sod everyone else.

@IggyAce ah sounds similar to us! What did you go for in the end?

@User415373 thank you, it definitely is a wobble as its a compromise :) you’ve hit the nail on the head! It’s also hard as I find boys names in general fairly tough to choose, none that I absolutely love...I’ve always liked Oliver, I find Alexander a bit of a mouthful too ...I think that’s why I was considering George! (A name my partner doesnt like 😓)

@IamnotwhouthinkIam ah thank you, it helps to hear positive things from people about the name :)

I think it is fine, Alexander is a lovely name. I only know one young one, it isn't 'trendy' enough for most people now but it is strong and classic.

I have heard Sandy as a NN, Xander, Xandy, Xands, Alex, Alec.

What connotations??

Al, Alex, Alec, Lex, Sandy, Xander

@Superstardjs ah thats good to know! I think it just feels a bit unnatural saying it so the other names are easier...would be interested to know if they hold any negatives from a teachers perspective ! 🤔 I’m blaming my hormones for all of this overthinking...

The only Alexander in our primary school is thoroughly lovely

@Haggertyjane aww, thanks for the reply :) hopefully he grew into that name and no regrets re Oliver, they are both lovely names but very different, I think it’s why I’m struggling!

Eck is common as the shortened form of Alexander.

@blowinahoolie

Eck is common as the shortened form of Alexander.

Is it? I've never heard it before - what part of the country are you in?

I've taught in lots of schools, and in the last few years there have been at least one Alex in each year group. 6 or 7 years ago, I was at a school where all the Alexes were challenging children, but in all the other schools I've worked in, they've been lovely boys.
I've heard Alexei/Alexis used as a nickname, more with Russian/European children, which I think is quite dashing!

Alexander is a strong name, no negative connotations for me. Alex, Sandy, Zander/Xander... all good!

I have one. He’s Alex mostly. No one has ever called him Al!

I picked it because I have a name which can’t be shortened. I wanted both mine to have ‘adjustable’ names. There isn’t another one in school and people often comment on what a good name it is.