Alexandra or Katherine?

[pinkvenom]

Which is better?

Alexandra - a most excellent name.

@DuchessDandelion , feminine form of Alexander.

Both great and various nicknames if they want it.
I'd wait until your baby is here and one or other should take the lead in your choices.

"How is Alexandra not a standalone name"

The similarity to Alexander. It is a strong elegant name though. Both are nice.

Ah thanks both,didn't realise that's what was meant!

Katherine, a great classic name but I prefer the spelling Katharine as apparently it's closest to the Greek original form of the name. Whereas Catherine can be mixed up with other names like Caroline and Christine. I speak from experience.

Alexandra is also a lovely name. Not so sure about all the short forms though as Alex is a bit unisex and I have heard Lexi described as 'chavvy', Sandra as dated, ditto Sandy (and also a bit gender neutral) so what would you use?

Alexandra

It wasn't obvious from the post.
A friend has DDs and no DSs. Their DDs have names like Philippa, Alexandra, Georgiana and Louise. It's not obvious unless you know they were hoping for a boy, and then you can't unsee it.

Both great choices.
I'd edge towards Katherine, as you don't hear it at all on little ones and it would pleasantly surprise me. Also Katie is just lovely as a shortening.

Those aren't the actual names of the friend's DDs.

I think Katherine wins because it's fewer syllables, and you don't have the Alex-andra/Alex-arndra issue (assuming non-rhotic accent)

Alexandra can be shortened to Alex which is gender non-specific. When it comes to job hunting, not making it obvious that you are female can be a big advantage, especially in STEM careers.

Both are lovely strong names, does either flow better with potential middle and last names?

do you hate any of the nicknames as it will get shortened by friends at school?

Agree with this.

C and an I
K and a Y

Catherine or Kathryn

Not Kathryn. It's very 1960s

Alexandra

(Although Katherine is nice too.)

Alexandra has always been on the list for my (non existent) daughter.

Alexandra without a doubt

My DD is a Katharine. I've condemned her to a life of saying "that's with a K and two As." Just a little warning.

Katherine.

Alexandra will get shortened to Alex which I personally dislike or Lexi which feels 90s.

Both feel a bit out of fashion now but Alexandra even more so. I know they're classics but it feels like Alexandra hasn't actually been used much until the 70s and since the 90s.

Alexandra

Both lovely, but Alexandra is the definite winner!

Both beautiful, but love Alexandra. It is my Goddaughter’s name. I chose her name.

Katherine - I like the Katharine spelling best

Alexandra is ok, but I am not a big fan of Alex

@Kand2As

It’s the nicest spelling though..