Ruined child's life with the name?

[Leolala]

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?

No one's heard of it as a medical term. In the nicest possible way, it just you OP who's got a problem. I think most people feel like the name becomes the child so they no longer assess what it sounds like. I do think you need some counselling as there's no reason to worry about her name. It sounds like obsessive thoughts - these can be treated.

Do you think you might be attaching broader worries or concerns to this?
You say you are scanning for reactions. Are you okay in other social situations?
It seems such a funny thing to be fixed on. I'm the first person to inwardly groan at a stupid name but I don't think this would even register. I might think it's a bit different to Alexa or a conscious effort to avoid Alexa but nothing beyond that. It's perfectly fine.

It could be much worse. There are lots of perfectly normal names that end up worse. There must be lots of Harry Potters and Vicky Pollards about. You could change it tomorrow and popular culture could throw a spanner in the works.

Without doing amateur psychology I would be wondering what else is wrong for you to be so upset. It's disproportionate.

Isn’t the medical term pronounced ay-lexia?

(Like in atypical or asymmetric)

I think Alexia is very pretty! I definitely wouldn't make an issue out of it if your DD loves it. Coincidentally I was chatting to my teens last evening about names we'd considered for them when I was pregnant. I mentioned that one name I had loved for DS I decided not to use because combined with our surname I thought he might be teased - they both looked at me as if I was devoid of any functioning brain cells... they just didn't get what I'd been concerned about. I think we worry more than we need to!

Are you thinking of ataxia that's a medical condition

I wouldn’t associate it with dyslexia and I’m sure most people wouldn’t.
Theres nothing wrong with her name and she likes it so there’s no problem. If she decides in the future she doesn’t like it she can go by Alex or Lexi. She has options for a nickname if she wants one.

I've taught 4 Alexia's in the last 10 years. It isn't that uncommon and is very pretty. You need to stop obsessing!

My friend adopted her DD and she has a very difficult name - after a famous brand of alcohol eg Malibu (that is not it though), she tried nicknames and DD kept going by her given name so now my friend just goes with it and everyone is happy.

Please stop before your DD picks up on it. If you are also anxious about DD2's name you should think why you are making decisions on names then feeling this way, you like their names or you wouldn't have chosen them in the first place think about that time and the positive reasons you went with them.

My 5yo is called Alexa and nobody has ever said anything negative about it. She goes by Lex or Lexi.
Alexis is an option though and a lovely name.
If your DD loves her name I would leave it though. She can always change it when she's older.

I know an Alexia, she is one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever met. That is what I associate with the name and I would happy if it were my name. Stop stressing :)

I really think you need to own it and embrace it for her. Stop trying to introduce nicknames, that's not fair on her. It's her name and she loves it, you need to get past it..

What would you think if you hear it on a playground?
I'd think it was a pretty name. Because it is.

You’re being ridiculous it’s a lovely name.

How does she say the name OP?

Ah (to rhyme with bra) leks-eeya

Or Ay (to rhyme with hay) leks-eeya ?

The very very little known medical condition would be ay to rhyme with hay- think "asymptomatic".

Ah-leks-eeya would not sound at all like a medical condition. The PP who quoted Wikipedia was trying to help you by pointing out rant even there it is listed as a name before the lesser known medical condition.

She likes it, she's happy, please get some help for your anxiety.

It’s her name and she likes it, that’s all that matters. Honestly, you’ll give the poor child a complex.
I doubt the term alexia related to dyslexia is rarely used outside a medical setting.

I think the name is beautiful ❤️

I have a cousin named Alexia. I think it’s pretty. It’s not like her name is Rubella.

It's a lovely name. I know several Alexias and none have a problem because of their name.

If ds2 had been a girl he might have been an Alexia, it was on my shortlist.

Nobody is going to make a link between dyslexia and Alexia. If she loves it then that's all that matters and if she changes her mind there's plenty of options for shortening it or changing it slightly. How about Alexis, Lexie, Alexandria, Alexandra, Allie, Sia ?

I have taught a couple of Alexia’s in the last few years so I would say it’s definitely an accepted name!

The name Amelia also has a medical meaning but it doesn’t stop hundreds of people using the name every year. I honestly don’t think anyone would think of medical connections unless they’re in the job and use it in that format

I think it’s a lovely name and wouldn’t think negatively if I met a child with it. I’ve never heard of the medical term and it’d never occur to me to associate it with dyslexia despite being a teacher and therefore being very familiar with the term. I honestly think you’re worrying over nothing.

Alexia is a lovely name. I wouldn't shorten it, it's nice just as it is.

@Calmdown14 I agree, as must admit I thought the same...

Baby names forum can find issue with literally any name.
My DD is called Jessica and people moaned because it sounds like sick ?!

Call her Alex if it bothers you.

I wouldn’t connect it with dyslexia 🤷‍♀️