If you have or know an Alexander, what is he most often called?

[IamnotwhouthinkIam]

Help! One names on my list for DS is Alexander. But we already have an Alex in the extended family (I have a huge family so a lot of the classic or popular boys names are already used). It's not a close family member/someone we see regularly and I prefer the full name or Xan/Xand as a nn anyway.

BUT in your experience are Alexanders nearly always known as Alex?

Most of the ones I know were called Alec :-(
One Alex.

I know an Alex, Xander, Ali, Al and a Sandy.

My favourite NN by far is Sasha.

I love the name but DH and I pronounce ‘bath’ differently and so we would have both pronounced alexander different. Know I would have spent the whole time thinking its Alexaaaaaander! Our kids have names that sound the same regardless of accent

I know one that is Ali and one that is Alexander.
Also know a Xander but not sure if that is his actual name. Don’t actually know any children that get called Alex.

Scottish;
Uncle; late 70s always known as Eck.
My cousin (his son); Alec (or Wee Eck to his Mum and our Aunts)

Alex

Four Alexanders at my work at present aged 25 - 35, all go by Alex.

My 3 year old Alexander is Alex, Ally or Als. He does get called Alexander when he's is trouble though! 😬🤣
I didn't intend for his name to be shortened but his big sister (aged 2) came barrelling into the maternity ward after he was born shouting "Where's baby Alex?!"

I prefer Alex but know an Al and a small boy named Xander

Sandy

Toddler is usually called a completely unrelated nickname by everyone who knows him. At nursery he is called Alexander though.

My friend (35) is known as Ally.

Quite a few Alex's , a Sandy and I knew an Alec in the 80s

I'm an AlexANDer pronouncer. My friend is an Alexaaahhhhnder pronouncer!

Sandy. And he suits it.

I know an Alexandra and she is known as Addra (family baby name that stuck apparently), Lexi or Lex. Hates Alex with a passion and won’t answer to it.

Thanks very much everyone for the replies

Looks like there are wide regional variations (Al/Aly, Alec, Sandy seem more common in Scotland) and age variations (Xander's mainly younger) but Alex widely used (with fewer full Alexanders or Lex, Xan, Sashas etc).

It's going to stay on my (very short) list with the assumption that if I use it I'll have to introduce him as Xan (if I don't want Alex as the go to nn) - as I do think the full Alexander sounds lovely but would be harder to "enforce". But I'll keep looking for another timeless/very classic name that hasn't already been used by close relatives!

Ours has been know since birth as Xander

Zandy, he's a cute boots totally suits him

Oh & we are Scotland, he's been known as Xander since before he was born & wouldn't know you were talking to him if you used Alexander tbh. Nursery & school were all fine with it & have only ever used Xander as that's his name.

Alex
Al
Alli
Alejandro
Allismalli
And stinker!🤣

@Phyllis321 same

I have one and he is known as Alexander. Only the odd person calls him Alex but he refers to himself as the longer version... One teacher insisted on calling him Al which amused me as to me that's a completely different name! But I don't stress. He calls himself his given name and we do too. I love the name it was always my favourite.

Nearly all Alex, across all age groups, except for one Alec (he's a little boy, and not visibly Scottish). I've known a Xander and a male Sacha but it was their official name in both cases.

I know an Al. Can’t but see that many will call him Alex (as they already do).

He was Ali Bubba (and variations) sometimes when baby. He grew out of that - so did we !

We have an Alexander known as Alex. We introduce him like that to people. So if you want Xan you'll just have to do the same and people should follow your lead.