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Baby names

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

Original poster

Tess or Alex(andra)?

42 replies

AnxiousFish · 02/02/2023 11:26

That's it really... Tess or Alexandra (Alex)... which do you prefer?

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Luredbyapomegranate · 02/02/2023 11:26

Tess I think

Rauha · 02/02/2023 11:27

Alex

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 02/02/2023 11:29

I like the name Tess, but for me, it will always be associated with tragedy because of Thomas Hardy's Tess. So I couldn't ever use it.

Alexandre is a nice, classic name. Alex is OK as a nickname but dull.

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 02/02/2023 11:31

Sasha is a lovely diminutive for form of Alexander/Alexandra though.

sunflowerdaisyrose · 02/02/2023 11:32

I like both. Maybe Tess if I had to choose.

Original poster
AnxiousFish · 02/02/2023 11:36

That's interesting @MrsBennetsPoorNerves, I like the Hardy connection, but I have studied 'Tess' as a feminist text so maybe that's why.

Other names on the list: Nina, Stella and Phoebe.

OP posts:
IhearyouClemFandango · 02/02/2023 11:37

Tess

Eixample · 02/02/2023 11:38

Tess

TidyDancer · 02/02/2023 11:39

They are both lovely. Alexandra gives more options for nicknames obviously, but both beautiful names.

numberthirtytwowindsorgardens · 02/02/2023 11:44

Both beautiful! Tess a bit more feminine, and unusual, if either of those is significant to you?

hlc123 · 02/02/2023 11:51

Both are lovely but I prefer Alexandra

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 02/02/2023 11:59

AnxiousFish · 02/02/2023 11:36

That's interesting @MrsBennetsPoorNerves, I like the Hardy connection, but I have studied 'Tess' as a feminist text so maybe that's why.

Other names on the list: Nina, Stella and Phoebe.

Fair enough. I love the book and I love the character, but for me, there will always be a sadness associated with that name. Maybe because I first read it as a teenager and I was heartbroken by what happened to her.

That said, my dd has a lovely friend called Tess and there is nothing remotely tragic about her!Grin

Eastereggsboxedupready · 02/02/2023 12:00

Tess is a ddog's name ime.

Etinoxaurus · 02/02/2023 12:05

Both lovely names and I like your longer list too.
Sorry not helpful Grin

WFHbore2023 · 02/02/2023 12:07

I like Tess - Tessa was an option for my DD.

Stella is lovely too

CoalCraft · 02/02/2023 12:12

Tess! It's lovely. I know only one Tess and she's beautiful and very smart. On the other hand I know loads of Alexes.

RuthW · 02/02/2023 12:12

Alexandra unless the Tess is Theresa.

SmileWithADimple · 02/02/2023 12:13

Like Alex but love Tess

fantasmasgoria1 · 02/02/2023 12:14

Alex

Laserbird16 · 02/02/2023 12:18

Alexandra has a lot of diminutives (Alex, Andi, Sandy, Lexa, Al etc) and is a classic name.

Tess is lovely too but doesn't have as much variety.

DuchessOfSausage · 02/02/2023 12:42

Tess.

lillyledbetter · 02/02/2023 18:36

Lovely list! I'd go for Tess or Nina - simple, elegant but cool names.

Justputitdown · 02/02/2023 18:37

Love both but only Tess as a nn

WeAreTheHeroes · 02/02/2023 18:43

I dislike Nina because it sounds harsh to me. Any of the others though.

cravingtoblerone · 02/02/2023 18:51

Alex 100%

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