Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Ruined child's life with the name?

219 replies

Leolala · 13/12/2022 20:24

So the DD name is Alexia. At the time of her birth I was aware of dyslexia term but it was not everywhere like it is now and it never appeared to either of us that alexia is also a medical term, we just struggled to find a name and both really liked it. When we googled it back then we discovered it meant “men defender” and thought it had a good meaning.

She is 8 and I am constantly obsessing over the choice we've made to the point that I am not sure if also made a mistake with our second DC name. She can't go by Alexa either for obvious reasons - mumsnet constantly slams both of the names whenever they come up. This made my anxiety worse with all the negative comments over both of the names.

I do feel like I would want to change it but DD loves her name and doesn’t want any NN or other name. She is not aware of negative connotations but she may find out one day.

Is the name really that bad? What would you think if you hear it on a playground?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
whataboutya · 13/12/2022 20:25

It's not that bad but I'd start calling her Lexi, which I think is pretty cute.

Littlebluedinosaur · 13/12/2022 20:26

I think it’s fine. Former teacher. She could be Lexi or Lex if you don’t like the full version.

Probablymagrat · 13/12/2022 20:26

Can't you just call her Alex if or when she is bothered by it?

BuffaloCauliflower · 13/12/2022 20:26

It’s a perfectly fine name, you're worrying over nothing

WaltzingWaters · 13/12/2022 20:27

Plenty of lovely nn’s she can have if it ever bothers her.

SmartWatch · 13/12/2022 20:28

I think it's fine and didn't know Alexia was also a LD. My friends daughter is Alexa and is 16 and nobody says anything as far as I am aware. She is known as Lexi.

DisappearingGirl · 13/12/2022 20:29

I think it's a lovely name!

I had never heard of the medical term despite working in a health field - I don't think most people will have heard of it. Also I think it would be pronounced differently i.e. ay-lexia.

If your dd is happy with it I would leave it - she can always shorten it when she's older if she wants to.

Marmite27 · 13/12/2022 20:29

There’s an Alexia in one of my children’s class. I’m not sure what’s wrong with the name? I don’t understand?

PinkParfait · 13/12/2022 20:29

I know a few little Alexias - I think it's a lovely name.

I'm also not aware of the medical term you say it's associated with and I don't think many people are.

choochooandspook · 13/12/2022 20:29

it's a lovely name and I love Alex as a shortened version

Coolyule · 13/12/2022 20:29

I wouldn’t think there was anything wrong with Alexia but like others say, if she’s bothered by it when she’s older, she can go by lexi, lex, Ali, Alex etc. loads of options

Singleandproud · 13/12/2022 20:29

The name is fine. Once she's out of the school environment nobody is going to link it to dyslexia.

DD was never interested in shortening her long name until she got to High School and your DD has lots to pick from if she decides to have a nn.

In the kindest way possible steer away from the name boards you really shouldn't be giving so much headspace to a decision that you made almost a decade ago and which the person who has the name has no problem with it.

Original poster
Leolala · 13/12/2022 20:30

She doesn’t like any NN I’ve tried over the years and always introduces herself as Alexia which make me cringe as I now can’t get over it

OP posts:
MurderAtTheBeautyPageant · 13/12/2022 20:30

'DD loves her name and doesn’t want any NN or other name.'

That's all that matters, OP. Honestly.

Allsnotwell · 13/12/2022 20:31

She likes her name!

I hate mine - and worried about naming the children because of this. They all like their names!

Username6194 · 13/12/2022 20:31

It's a beautiful name. I can't see what your issue is?

AlwaysLatte · 13/12/2022 20:31

I would change her name by deed poll to Alexis and gradually call her either that or a diminutive: Lexi or Alex, and eventually the name Alexia will be removed from any sort of use.

JustLyra · 13/12/2022 20:32

She likes her name. That’s all that matters.

as someone who grew up hating their name (and changed it as soon as poss) please don’t show your worry. She likes her name. That’s a good thing.

Don’t borrow trouble.

Blowyourowntrumpet · 13/12/2022 20:35

I have a friend called Alexia and I wasn't aware of any negative connotations until I read this thread. It's a perfectly lovely name

Ijuststoodonlego · 13/12/2022 20:36

As long as she likes it. I like it too!

I love Lexi and Alex too.

MurderAtTheBeautyPageant · 13/12/2022 20:36

Amelia is the name of a medical condition too but it hasn't hampered that name's popularity!

motleymop · 13/12/2022 20:36

I don't understand what the problem is either?

Original poster
Leolala · 13/12/2022 20:37

I think I am in some sort of depression about it, I’ve tried to open this subject with DH but he does not see there is an issue so will not agree to name change. I am actually crying now reading the comments.

i also cannot see myself heading to GP and reveal it as otherwise I have perfectly fine life with job, family, handling it all.

OP posts:
Pterrydactyl · 13/12/2022 20:37

I’d never heard of this as the name of any medical condition or dyslexia term.

It’s a name that would sound very ordinary to me if I heard it on a playground.

WimpoleHat · 13/12/2022 20:38

It’s not a medical term in common parlance - as a pp said, it’s similar to Amelia in that regard. I wouldn’t worry - honestly.