Let's talk about Alexandra's nns!

See the results of this poll: Which of these three nns do you like best for Alexandra?

Respondents: 50 (This poll is closed)

  • Alexie : 19 (38%)
  • Annie : 9 (18%)
  • Xanthe: 22 (44%)

I like Alexie and [name_f]Zanna[/name_f]. I think [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f] could grow on me! [name_u]Allie[/name_u] seems a bit unremarkable next to Alexie, [name_f]Zanna[/name_f] and [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f] so I’m not too keen on it.

[name_f]Ana[/name_f]
[name_f]Alya[/name_f]
[name_f]Sana[/name_f], [name_f]Sanna[/name_f]
[name_u]Andy[/name_u]
[name_f]Anya[/name_f]
[name_f]Sannie[/name_f]
[name_f]Alda[/name_f]
[name_f]Andra[/name_f]
[name_f]Xandra[/name_f]
[name_u]Lexie[/name_u]
[name_f]Alsie[/name_f]
Alsa
[name_u]Sasha[/name_u]
[name_u]Sanya[/name_u]

I really like [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] nn [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f]. Huh… while on this, thinking about my own names, I wonder if Anaxandra nn [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f] would also work. I love the name [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f] a lot and for nn’s so far, the only nn I’ve come up with Anixa…

Alexie… It’s not bad. Spelling wise, was [name_u]Alexi[/name_u] an option considered? Or maybe Allexie?

[name_f]Annie[/name_f] feels like a stretch, though admittedly this might be bias playing here. I’m not fond of the nn [name_f]Annie[/name_f] for [name_f]Annabeth[/name_f], so my dislike of it might have spread to other names.

Other suggestions: I think I remember you saying you’re not big on unisex names, so I’m assuming [name_u]Alex[/name_u] and [name_u]Lex[/name_u] are definitely out.

Were any of these considered
[name_u]Andrea[/name_u]
[name_f]Andra[/name_f]
[name_f]Andi[/name_f]
[name_u]Lexi[/name_u]/[name_u]Lexie[/name_u]
[name_f]Alexa[/name_f]
[name_f]Alexia[/name_f]
[name_f]Lexa[/name_f]
[name_f]Xandra[/name_f]

[name_f]Edit[/name_f]: Seconding suggestion of [name_f]Anya[/name_f]

I like [name_u]Alexi[/name_u] the most (with this spelling but Alexie is cute too) as it seems the most logical to me and it’s still got the cool factor of [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f]. [name_u]Allie[/name_u] is a little underwhelming compared to the others but still very sweet.

You could use any of them as a nn I think. Another obvious one is [name_f]Alexa[/name_f] but I definitely prefer [name_u]Alexi[/name_u]!

I like:
[name_u]Alexi[/name_u]
[name_f]Xandra[/name_f]
[name_f]Sanna[/name_f]
[name_f]Alexa[/name_f]
[name_f]Zanna[/name_f]
[name_f]Andi[/name_f]
[name_f]Anya[/name_f]

What an honor to hear that I’ve inspired someone else! I think [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f] could definitely work for [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f]. I will be honest that I am feeling like I should never ever discuss this with my husband and simultaneously guilty for feeling that way because [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f]/[name_m]Alexander[/name_m] and all their variants are my husband’s number one favorite name of alltime for a boy or a girl, and I have never been able to get on board. [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f] could threaten to change that.

I will say that [name_u]Sasha[/name_u] has always been my preferred nickname for the [name_u]Alex[/name_u] names for either sex, though. I do think [name_u]Sasha[/name_u] is super bubbly and sassy and light on a girl.

[name_f]Annie[/name_f] was one of my best friends growing up so I am partial to it. It’s so sweet (also a “backup” nickname choice for my [name_f]Chrysanthemum[/name_f] if she goes through a phase of hating her name).

I like the sound of Alexie but everytime I try to spell it I get overwhelmed because all the choices feel wrong. My preference would be [name_m]Alexei[/name_m] but it does read masculine (not necessarily a problem for me, but it would be for others). I don’t like when it ends in an i because I fear others will read it more sexually (no way of avoiding sexy [name_u]Lexi[/name_u] for me). The ie is nice but it reads more juvenile than I would want it to for continuity into adulthood. And a y just looks wrong. So [name_m]Alexei[/name_m] is the lesser evil, but none of them are good for me. This child is meant to be heard, not seen, haha.

First of all, [name_u]LOVE[/name_u] [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] [name_f]Lilac[/name_f] [name_f]Jane[/name_f]. Suuuuper pretty and classy, and flows nicely :wink:

I think Alexie and [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f] are both solid options. I like the suggestion of the [name_u]Alexi[/name_u] spelling, but Alexie is also fine and doesn’t read masculine to me. My guess is you’re trying to avoid [name_u]Alex[/name_u]? If you wanted a more feminine twist on that, I had a friend growing up who was [name_f]Alexandria[/name_f] “[name_u]Alix[/name_u].” And if it’s the unisex-ness you’re trying to avoid, I guess [name_f]Andie[/name_f] and [name_u]Sasha[/name_u] aren’t going to fit your requirements, although I think both are good ideas.

My personal preference would be for [name_m]Xan[/name_m]/[name_m]Zan[/name_m]. I thought it worked really well on the character from “Unbreakable [name_f]Kimmy[/name_f] Schmidt” (though that one was a Xanthippe.) [name_f]Zanna[/name_f] is also lovely, although if you can’t get on board with it, I won’t mourn too much.

@evelinrose - if [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] nn [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f] could work, I certainly think that Anaxandra could, too! Ironically, I [name_u]LOVE[/name_u] [name_f]Annie[/name_f], so maybe I see it as working for many more names? I pull it out of just about any name that has “an” in it lol! [name_f]Antonia[/name_f], [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f], [name_f]Angelina[/name_f], [name_f]Liliana[/name_f], [name_f]Susanna[/name_f], [name_f]Giovanna[/name_f], [name_f]Evangeline[/name_f], etc.! lol. So when you said [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] nn [name_f]Annie[/name_f] was a stretch, I was like, WHAAAAT?! [name_m]How[/name_m] can she be serious right now? [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] nn [name_f]Annie[/name_f] makes PERFECT sense! lol. (Obviously, I’m biased!)

@medfordkung - RIIIIGHT?! Alexie looks like [name_m]Alexei[/name_m] or [name_u]Alexis[/name_u] misspelled, [name_m]Alexei[/name_m] is a boys’ name, and Alexy, [name_u]Alexi[/name_u], Alexee, Alexey, Alexeigh, etc., all look ridiculous. I was thinking the same thing. Maybe I’ll just NEVER write Alexie down and just call her that?! bahaha.

@[name_f]Gwen[/name_f] - aww, shucks. :wink:

Thanks for all the suggestions! But unfortunately, none of them appeal like Alexie, [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f], or [name_f]Annie[/name_f] do. I actually [name_u]LOVE[/name_u] [name_u]Sasha[/name_u] for a boy (it’s tied with Skandar as my favorite nn for [name_m]Alexander[/name_m]), but for some reason, though it’s used on both genders, even in [name_f]Russia[/name_f], I still can’t see it on a girl very well. Plus, we used to have a pet dog named [name_u]Sasha[/name_u], so it seems relatively unusable in general.

Maybe I’ll just keep trying out Alexie, [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f], and [name_f]Annie[/name_f] until one cements itself as a favorite? I’m adding a poll to see which of the three gets the popular vote. :slight_smile:

I like the nn [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f] for [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] and I don’t think it is too much of a stretch. I do like Alexie but I prefer [name_f]Alexa[/name_f] or [name_u]Lexie[/name_u]. I also like pp suggestion of [name_f]Andi[/name_f]. For an out there suggestion how about [name_f]Xena[/name_f] from alEXANdra?

Also I really love your combo of Alexandra Lilac Jane, it’s so good!

@ash…really lovely combo. [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] [name_f]Lilac[/name_f] [name_f]Jane[/name_f].
I guess you would guess that [name_f]Zanna[/name_f] is going to be my favorite but then again that came about backwards -
[name_f]Zanna[/name_f] for [name_f]Suzannah[/name_f] or [name_f]Zanna[/name_f] for [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f]? and [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] won hands down.

I am going to vote [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f] -I really like it. Of the many A…'s I have known, I prefer [name_f]Alexa[/name_f]. I am not overly fond of any ‘ie’ endings. Which do you like?:slight_smile:

Thank you!

haha, I’m still rather torn. I love [name_f]Annie[/name_f] for just about EVERYTHING, and I currently am without an [name_f]Annie[/name_f] combo on my list. I like the idea of [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] nn [name_f]Annie[/name_f]. I always have. It’s not what people would say is intuitive, I guess, but I don’t think it’s a stretch. Plus, I uber love [name_f]Annie[/name_f].

[name_f]Xanthe[/name_f] is a new love. She’s almost TOO spunky for my usual spectrum, but I love saying her, and I think she’s so, so, SO cool. But [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] nn [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f] almost seems like TOO much, and I’m wondering if I’m forcing it. I’d been planning on [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f] as a mn, not a nn. I’m not ready to let go of her, yet, though, and I do think [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] “[name_f]Xanthe[/name_f]” could work.

Alexie… I think I’ve sort of been leaning toward it. This is super random, haha, but I remember watching this episode of The [name_m]Graham[/name_m] [name_m]Norton[/name_m] Show (most Americans love [name_m]Doctor[/name_m] Who or [name_m]Sherlock[/name_m]–I love [name_m]Graham[/name_m] [name_m]Norton[/name_m] and The Musketeers lol), and this girl was in the red chair and she introduced herself as Alexie. There was just something about the way she introduced herself, the way she called herself Alexie, and it stuck. Plus, she was super beautiful, and, in a way, [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] nn Alexie just feels… right. But I still am not 100% happy with how Alexie looks, even though I like that spelling best.

I think for now I’m between Alexie and [name_f]Annie[/name_f]–I could see me having an [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] that I call either one, or maybe even both–but I like [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f] too much in general to really want to let her go, even as a nickname. (Then again, I’m also considering [name_f]Aurora[/name_f] [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f], so it’s not as though I’m without options for [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f]…)

@lulu - thanks! [name_f]Alexa[/name_f] is alright. I think it’s sweet, but a little girl in my life I love like a niece has a little baby doll named [name_f]Alexa[/name_f], so I feel like it’ll be forever “[name_f]Sabrina[/name_f]'s baby doll’s name”, haha. Plus, my cousin has a [name_u]Lexi[/name_u] (sp?), so I’m not sure I’m wanting to go for [name_u]Lexi[/name_u]. I used to [name_u]LOVE[/name_u] it, though.

I voted for Annie because it was my favorite of the three.
My top three would be Aly, Lexa/Lex, or Lux

I really love that combo, btw!

[name_f]Annie[/name_f] is my favourite! I’m not keen on the idea of [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f] as a nickname, as it’s a given name with it’s own great origins and stories, that’s in no way connected to [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] :confused: Except maybe the fact that they’re both Greek?

[name_m]Just[/name_m] want to weigh in as an [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f]–I’ve been called [name_u]Alex[/name_u], [name_u]Lex[/name_u], [name_m]Al[/name_m], [name_u]Allie[/name_u], [name_f]Andi[/name_f], [name_u]Zandy[/name_u], [name_f]Zandra[/name_f], [name_f]Alessa[/name_f], and [name_f]Alexa[/name_f]. The only ones that don’t bother me are [name_u]Lex[/name_u], [name_u]Alex[/name_u], and [name_m]Al[/name_m]. I suppose most of the rest of them always feel like such an unnecessary stretch. I personally don’t feel like an [name_u]Allie[/name_u] or [name_f]Alexa[/name_f] or [name_f]Alessa[/name_f], even though those aren’t really “stretching.”

I know maybe five other women of various ages with the same name, and most of them are [name_u]Allie[/name_u] or just [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f].

If I had to choose one of yours, I’d choose [name_u]Alexi[/name_u]/Alexie. That’s how I’d spell it. [name_m]Alexei[/name_m] feels masculine.

I wanted to suggest [name_u]Alix[/name_u], maybe? You refer to a lot of Russian names; [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] Feodorovna, the last Tsarina, was originally [name_u]Alix[/name_u], and I do know one [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] who spells her nickname this way. I always thought it was very intriguing.

P.S. [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] [name_f]Lilac[/name_f] [name_f]Jane[/name_f] is gorgeous and I would love it if it were my full name!

@[name_u]Haley[/name_u] - yeah, I do sort of see what you mean. It’s mainly that they both share that [name_m]Xan[/name_m] syllable, and that “th” and “d” can sound semi-similar. Plus, I’d been trying to find a FN for [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f], but nothing has really stuck, so I thought [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] nn [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f] could work.

@yellowplums - thank you! And thank you for your feedback! I’m definitely not opposed to multiple nicknames–I like a fair number of them–but I thought it’d be nice to narrow it down to one that I like the most. I do find [name_u]Alix[/name_u] interesting, but I’m not a huge fan of [name_u]Alex[/name_u] on EITHER gender, and I don’t think [name_u]Alex[/name_u] and [name_u]Alix[/name_u] sound altogether that different?

I know a girl named [name_f]Alexandria[/name_f] who is called [name_u]Alexi[/name_u], spelled that way! I think it’s a nice nickname!

my fn is [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] and I’ve been [name_u]Ali[/name_u], [name_u]Alex[/name_u], [name_u]Lexie[/name_u] and [name_u]Lex[/name_u] and I’ve known a [name_u]Sandy[/name_u] and [name_f]Xandi[/name_f].
Could [name_f]Xandi[/name_f] work for you as an alternative to [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f]?

@lexiem - how do you say [name_f]Xandi[/name_f]? Is it like [name_u]Zandy[/name_u]?

I think, for now, I’m just going to hold on to Alexie, [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f], and [name_f]Annie[/name_f], and see if one jumps out at me (or even [name_u]Allie[/name_u], [name_f]Zanna[/name_f], or [name_f]Alla[/name_f]) as time goes by. Thanks for all the input, everyone!