Alexander?

[Cheeseandcrackers123]

We are due a second baby boy soon. We had decided on the name Alexander / Alex as a classic favourite. His niece has just been born this week and they’ve named her Alessia which I think is the female Italian equivalent of Alexandra?

Do you think we can still stick with our preferred name or do we need to go back to the drawing board as too similar for cousins?

I think Alessia and Alexander are different enough so both can be used . The Lioness footballer Alessia, is known as Less or Lessi, and never as Al or Alex.

I don’t think they’re too similar at all for cousins. Plus, Alexander is a great name! Definitely OK to still use it!

Use it , lovely names both of them

You can also use Xander as a nickname which sounds v different too.

Still fine I think. Though possibly biased as Alexander is one of my favourite names!

They’re a bit similar but not so much that it’s a problem - kind of actually makes it quite sweet! And Alex is the best name. If it was a boy nephew called alessandro I’d think it was much more similar, but the female version with double s and an i in it feels different enough.

I don't think they are too similar at all. I would have thought that Alessia was more like an Italian version of Alicia, but happy to be corrected if necessary.

Alexander is a great name. I don't see why you wouldn't use it, and I definitely would.

Shortenings if desired could be Alex, Sandy etc.

Alexander is a classic for a reason, such a handsome name. Alessia is beautiful and absolutely different enough for cousins.

Agree with the above. Alexander is my favourite boys name though!

Alessia is Italian for Alexis. Alexandra is Alessandra, both are usually shortened to 'Ale' in Italy regardless of sex, so same for Alessio / Alessandro.

I think you can get away with it as they are different names and I doubt they would both be shorted to 'Ale' in UK and they will be cousins which is distant enough

I love Alexander and you can definitely use it. Very different from Alessia

I think Alex and Alessandra are pretty different so I think you’re fine. You could always call him Sasha which I love for boys.

It's fine, they're different enough. Alexander is a great name. I also like Alec. Never met an Al who wasn't cool.

It’s fine imo - while its the same etymology, they aren’t siblings and Alessia and Alexander sound fairly distinct to me.

Alessia which I think is the female Italian equivalent of Alexandra?

Alessandra is Alexandra. Alessia is more like Alexa, I guess - derived from the same name but not quite the same. I don't think they are too similar but would probably just check that the other set of parents aren't going to be difficult about it before making your final choice.

To confirm Alexander was born on Monday. Parents of Alessia are perfectly happy and we’ve agreed that the names are both lovely and complementary for cousins :) xxx

@Cheeseandcrackers123
Congratulations!
Thank you for the update.

Both Alexander and Alessia are great names.