Alexander,Michael or Alexei for baby

[Tkoko]

Thanks to this forum me and my husband ended up with these 3 names so far. We are Ukrainian/Italian family living in Italy.
We are choosing between:
Alexander-Alex-Sasha
Mikhail-Misha (Michele -Italian version which seems too italian for me).
Alexey-Alex-Alyosha

I would like the name to be slavic but be recognised easily around the world, have international form, be modern and appropriate as the baby grows. Which would you vote for? thank you

Apart from Alexander they all sound extremely Slavic to me, which to my mind detracts from the international aspect you wanted.

What about Leo?

Leonardo is number 1 name in italy. Its extremely italian. It coould stand for Leonid or Lev (Tolstoi)...but i think its just everywhere.

It is both popular and used in many countries at the moment but I would have thought that was a good thing for the features you are wanting?

Alexander is similar.

To me the other two don’t sound particularly international.

I'm not sure what your long-term plans are, or whether your son will have ties to English-speaking countries and speak English. Hard to advise on a Ukrainian/Italian perspective.

But at least all three can shorten to Alex or Mike, easy English nicknames should he want one.

Alexander is the only full name there which English speakers will all recognise and pronounce correctly. Not sure how that plays in Italy though.

I’ve just seen Michael in your subject line. This would be recognisable but isn’t hugely fashionable at the moment. It’s very pre-80’s.

yeah it should not be Michael at all but mikhail or mikael....or michele

Alexander NN Sasha is gorgeous!

I had a similar name dilemma to you as husband and I are from different European countries and we are based in the UK. We have an Alex and a Leo - their longer names are international variations of these but they are easily adapted to the UK or anywhere really.

I like Alexei. are Alex and Alyosha nicknames?

It's not fashionable, but I'd say it doesn't stand out as weird. I do come across very young Michaels. It's a classic name that was particularly common in the mid to late 20th century but is still within the normal range for kids. Not like being called Derek or Keith.

I really like Misha, mainly because my Bulgarian BIL has a beautiful cat called Mishonka!

Alex probably would be a name italians will use...they tend to shorten the names...Alyosha is a diminished version of Alexei in the country where i am from. As in everyday life full names are mostly used officially but not by friends or family.

no it definitely wouldn’t be unrecognisable or “ weird.”

None of them are actually “ weird”; I just don’t think they are as international as op might be thinking/hoping.

I think those are the nicest contenders I can think of : Alex and Leo.

I really like Leo!

Do Alex and Leo stand for Alexander and Leonardo?

Thank you! We call them by their full names but I’ve found that in the UK people tend to automatically go for the diminutive they recognise - so I’m pleased we picked names with British nicknames that we like. They also quite like the fact that they have three names if you use versions from all “home” countries.

Its not that i want them to be international...i just want them to be easily pronounced/accepted everywhere without obvious problems in recognising..like Polish Kacper probably will me very difficult to read correctly out of Poland...I don't even know international names except Noah )))

Alessandro and Leonardo

Alexander nn Alex is lovely, and seems to be easy in every language. I’m aware that Sasha is an Alexander diminutive in some countries, but I’ve never actually come across a male Sasha here, though I know a male Misha. Sasha is more usual as a girl’s name in the UK. Not to say you shouldn’t use it as an Alexander / Alex nickname, but just want to make sure you know it’s likely to confuse quite a lot of people over here on first hearing it.

edited to add - just noticed you said you’re living in Italy. So please disregard my comments about Sasha in the UK - not relevant for you!

Alexander is the clear winner as it will be easily understood and pronounced in all the languages you mentioned as it’s very phonetic. I speak Russian and Italian (not fluently) and have spent time in both countries. Alexander / Alex / Sasha / Xander. It’s a good solid name!

Yes I agree. I do know Sasha is a male diminutive of Alexander but know just one here who hated it and refused to be called it after he got to about 6 as it has been adopted as a girls’ name in anglophone countries. That doesn’t mean you can’t use it, but @Talipesmum is correct that it’s something to be aware of. Many people would think of it first as a girls’ name.

Mikhail and Alexei could certainly be pronounced. They would likely be the only one in their class/ school.

I voted Alexander, but I quite like Alexei. Be prepared for a lifetime of spelling it out though if you go for Alexei as it is not a common name over here. It reminds me of the old English comedian Alexei Sayle who I always liked.

I sort of like Mikhail but I associate it too closely with Mikhail Gorbachev.

It definitely says Gorbachev to me as I don’t really know any others.

Alex is easily recognisable across Europe. What about:
Luca
Tomas
Max
Nicolas
Andreas
Btw love love the name Misha

I liked Alexander nn Sacha but didn’t go for it because as above in the UK it’s more common for girls.

the only Alyosha I’ve known was also a girl?! Indian parents, not sure if it’s a traditional Indian girls name (her sister’s wasn’t).

That said my first thought on Aleksey/Alexei is that it sounds girly as I’ve also taught a female Alexi And Lexi/Lexie is quite common in the UK for girls.

however, you’re not in the UK so my thoughts are irrelevant! I like Sasha best.

I wanted to be able to use Sasha and Misha as they have a clear reference to my country…