I love [name_m]Alexander[/name_m] nn [name_m]Zander[/name_m]/[name_m]Xander[/name_m] for a boy but I don’t think I’d ever actually use it. However, I think I’m starting to like the feminine versions of it. What do you like more, [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] or [name_f]Alexandria[/name_f] and why? Or do you not like either at all? Also, I like the versatile nickname options for this name. What nicknames do you like best? Specifically, do what do you think of the nn [name_f]Andi[/name_f]? Thanks!
I find [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] a bit boring considering how many people I know with similar, but more exciting versions: I had a coworker named [name_f]Alexandria[/name_f]-- I think it’s very beautiful and still accessible. I also recently met an [name_f]Aleksandra[/name_f], which I also find intriguing and beautiful. Finally, I know a [name_f]Zandra[/name_f]. I’m surprised this nn isn’t more popular considering all the love that [name_m]Xander[/name_m] and [name_m]Zander[/name_m] get around here.
I prefer [name_f]Alexandria[/name_f], as an underused place name and a slightly more regal variation of [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f]. Personally, my favourite versions of the [name_u]Alex[/name_u] family are [name_f]Alexa[/name_f] and [name_u]Alexis[/name_u]. I love the nickname [name_f]Andi[/name_f]. I have known quite a few girls with the name [name_f]Andi[/name_f]/[name_u]Andy[/name_u]/[name_f]Andie[/name_f], and it actually holds up beautifully as a name, particularly with the [name_u]Andy[/name_u]/[name_f]Andie[/name_f] spelling.
There are lots of nicknames I like for [name_f]Alexandria[/name_f]:
[name_f]Dree[/name_f]
Dria
[name_u]Lexie[/name_u]
[name_f]Alexa[/name_f]
[name_u]Andy[/name_u]
[name_f]Xandy[/name_f]
Xandrie
It is a very versatile name.
I know of a little girl who goes by [name_f]Xandi[/name_f] and it’s super cute I just wonder if [name_f]Xandra[/name_f] and [name_f]Xandi[/name_f] would often be mistaken for [name_f]Sandra[/name_f] and [name_u]Sandy[/name_u], 2 names I really don’t like. I think [name_f]Xandra[/name_f] and [name_f]Xandi[/name_f] make the names [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f]/[name_f]Alexandria[/name_f] a bit fresher. I know way too many girls known as [name_u]Alex[/name_u], [name_u]Lexi[/name_u], and [name_f]Alexa[/name_f], which is why I’m on the fence about this name. I love the versatility of it but at the same time wonder if it’s a tad dated/overused.
[name_f]Alexandria[/name_f] for me. Because it’s kinda unusual and sounds awesome. 
[name_f]Alexandria[/name_f] I have used in a story of mine and I love it. She has the nickname of [name_u]Sasha[/name_u] which is used more and her middle name is [name_u]Blair[/name_u]. Sibling is [name_f]Jasmine[/name_f].
[name_f]Laura[/name_f]
I think I prefer [name_f]Alexandria[/name_f] a bit more. Mostly because in history we learnt about how the city was so important in relation to medicine, and about the Great Library of [name_f]Alexandria[/name_f]. And there was the Lighthouse of [name_f]Alexandria[/name_f], which was one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World, so it’s got a lot going for it. Plus it’s got a bit of a mysterious, magical feel to it that I really like, and a lot of history. It might be going on my list now! 
I have personally met too many [name_f]Alexandria[/name_f]'s to count, it would be refreshing to meet an [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f].
For me, [name_f]Alexandria[/name_f] has a little bit too much flair, but that’s consistent with my general dislike of frilly names (I’d take [name_f]Isabel[/name_f] over [name_f]Isabella[/name_f], [name_f]Sophie[/name_f] over [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] any day). [name_m]Alexei[/name_m] is my favorite [name_u]Alex[/name_u] name. There’s also the spelling [name_f]Aleksandra[/name_f], which to me has a different sound. [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] comes out sounding like al-ig-[name_m]ZAN[/name_m]-druh when I say it, whereas [name_f]Aleksandra[/name_f] is al-ik-SAHN-druh.
[name_f]Andi[/name_f] is a fine nickname. I’m not the biggest fan, but that probably stems from the how boring I find [name_m]Andrew[/name_m]. It’s nicer as an unexpected short form of [name_f]Alexandr/name_fa than in its usual place.
Other related or similar sounding names:
[name_m]Alexei[/name_m]
[name_u]Alexis[/name_u]
[name_u]Lexi[/name_u]
[name_f]Exie[/name_f]
[name_f]Alexa[/name_f]
[name_f]Alexia[/name_f]
[name_f]Alessia[/name_f]
[name_f]Alessandra[/name_f]
[name_f]Aleksandra[/name_f]
Anaxandra
Anaxander
Alekai
I am a bit torn. I like the historical associations that come with [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f], I like the dated [name_u]Lexie[/name_u], and I just like the overall sound. I also like [name_f]Alexandria[/name_f]; but for some reason it feels harder to say for me and I feel like other people may mistake it for [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] anyway. I like both, ugh it’s so hard!
[name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] is a lovely strong classic. While [name_f]Alexandria[/name_f] has historical uumph, I find it to be naming overload.
Unlike military cities of the Mediterranean (like Sparta), [name_f]Alexandria[/name_f] was really a city of the mind. There was so much diversity, culture, religion, philosophy, and art. The architecture was breathtaking, and entering the city by land was an unforgettable experience. It’s Mouseion was the leading university of its time. By the early part of the 1st century B.C., [name_f]Alexandria[/name_f] was the “greatest city of the civilized world” and “surpassed all others, in size, elegance, and luxury.”
I could literally go on and on all day about how gorgeous and mesmerizing this city was, and I feel that [name_f]Alexandria[/name_f] is steeped in more cultural richness and historical street cred than [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f].
Edit: I’ve been friends with an Alexandria, and getting her attention wasn’t hard even when calling her by her full name, nor did she ever get mistaken for Alexandra.
Alexandria also rolls off the tongue easier, and I don’t see one extra letter/syllable from Alexandra as being frilly. Alexandria is strong and powerful, just like Alexandra (although I get more warrior princess vibes from Alexandria).
My favorite nicknames would have to be Annie and Allie, but Xandr(i)a could work, too.
[name_f]Alexandria[/name_f] all the way! I love [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] too but it’s too common. Lately I found [name_f]Alexandrine[/name_f], [name_f]Alessandra[/name_f], and [name_f]Alessia[/name_f]; I love them all (there’s something about this [name_m]Alexander[/name_m]/[name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] name!).
I love [name_f]Alexandria[/name_f]. [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f]'s,[name_u]Alexis[/name_u], [name_f]Alexa[/name_f] are all great too
I prefer the masculine [name_m]Alexander[/name_m], and I’d leave it there. 
Between these two feminine versions I think I would choose [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f]. It’s not as exciting as [name_f]Alexandria[/name_f], and I do like the place associated with the latter, but I find [name_f]Alexandria[/name_f] to be quite a mouthful. I’m all for long names ending in -ia, but that fifth syllable does me in.
[name_f]Alessandra[/name_f] or [name_f]Anastasia[/name_f] would get my vote any day of the week.
I prefer [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] with nn’s [name_f]Alexa[/name_f] and [name_u]Alexis[/name_u]. They’re practically the same name but [name_f]Alexandria[/name_f] has always seemed a bit frilly to me. I know a few [name_f]Alexandria[/name_f]'s but they all go exclusively by [name_u]Alex[/name_u].
I’m probably a bit biased because I’m an [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f], but that’s the name I prefer. I think [name_f]Alexandria[/name_f] is gorgeous, but I tend to lean away from frillier versions of names. Also, five syllables is a bit much (heck, even four is a mouthful), when you say you want to go by the full [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f]/[name_f]Alexandria[/name_f], and someone has to call your name in a hurry or get your attention, it really is difficult to get it out. Maybe that sounds silly, but it’s true, and it’s the only thing that ever annoys me about my name - and I only imagine it would be more difficult with the extra letter.
Also, to address the historical connections - as a child I became incredibly interested in ancient [name_u]Egypt[/name_u], Greece and [name_m]Rome[/name_m] because of my name’s connection with [name_m]Alexander[/name_m] the Great and the city of [name_f]Alexandria[/name_f] - so to me, though my name isn’t Alexandria, I still associate it with the great history of the city, on top of all the other fascinating women I share the name with. I see it as a strong, elegant, ancient name. I hated it when I was five, but now I really appreciate it.
I think [name_f]Andi[/name_f] could work as a nickname - I’ve been called [name_u]Alex[/name_u], [name_u]Lex[/name_u], [name_m]Al[/name_m], [name_f]Alessa[/name_f], and [name_u]Zandy[/name_u], and all of them work. I didn’t choose most of those, by the way; people just decided they wanted to call me that. Like I said, four syllables can be a lot sometimes, but as an adult, I really love having an elegant, ‘formal’ name and an easy, ‘everyday’ name.
I also prefer [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] because I tend to go for less frilly versions of names. [name_f]Isabel[/name_f] over [name_f]Isabella[/name_f], [name_f]Julia[/name_f] over [name_f]Juliana[/name_f], [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] over [name_f]Lilliana[/name_f] etc. But I do like both names and love the history of the city of [name_f]Alexandria[/name_f].
I like both names fine, but [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] just feels…cleaner somehow. [name_f]Alexandria[/name_f] has cooler origins, of course, but it feels cluttered, a bit jarring, and chaotic to me. Plus I think of the kinda-pretentious town that’s not quite DC, which is a slightly confusing/just so-so association.
I prefer [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f], which I’ve always viewed as regal and elegant. [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] is a more balanced and understated name with a cleaner, smoother sound. In contrast, the added fussiness of [name_f]Alexandria[/name_f] detracts just a bit from the name…