Our son is [name_m]Alexander[/name_m] (we call him [name_u]Alex[/name_u] as does everyone else although officially he is [name_m]Alexander[/name_m]). Our baby girl is due in [name_u]December[/name_u] and the only name we both like is [name_u]Sasha[/name_u].
However in Russian [name_u]Sasha[/name_u] is the nickname for [name_m]Alexander[/name_m]. We are not Russian nor do we have any Russian background and live in Australia.
[name_f]Do[/name_f] you think many people will pick up on this, or know this?
Can we use it?
[name_m]How[/name_m] do you add a poll after you’ve posted?
I picked up on it, and Russians will pick up on it, as will many other Slavic people.
[name_m]How[/name_m] about [name_f]Saskia[/name_f] nn [name_u]Sasha[/name_u]?
I wouldn’t have known that [name_u]Sasha[/name_u] is a nickname for [name_m]Alexander[/name_m], but that makes a lot of sense based on the men I’ve known named [name_u]Sasha[/name_u]. Once the Russian connection is brought up at all, [name_u]Sasha[/name_u] sounds squarely like a male name to me. But since [name_u]Alex[/name_u] is so widely used in the U.S., I probably wouldn’t make that connection, especially when being introduced to a little girl.
I picked up on it and wouldn’t use it. [name_m]How[/name_m] about [name_f]Natasha[/name_f] nn [name_u]Sasha[/name_u]?
I knew the link, but only because I am a name nerd 
I honestly think it will be fine.
I did NOT pick up on it. If you like the name [name_u]Sasha[/name_u], use it! I think [name_u]Alex[/name_u] and [name_u]Sasha[/name_u] work great as sibling names.
I picked up on it and I love [name_u]Sasha[/name_u] as a NN for [name_m]Alexander[/name_m] or a stand alone boy name but it’s fine on a girl as well. Others might not know that it’s a NN for [name_m]Alexander[/name_m] though so if you really love it I’d say go for it.
I picked up on it and thought it was common knowledge 
I honestly think you’re more likely to encounter people that are aware of the link than not (it might depend on where you live, though. I live in Europe and have known several Slavic people in my life. None of them were named [name_u]Sasha[/name_u], but I’ve always been aware of the connection). Personally, I wouldn’t do it because I think it looks a bit uneducated (kind of as if you named your sons [name_m]John[/name_m] and [name_m]Jack[/name_m] or your daughters [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] and [name_f]Isabel[/name_f]) but for all I know this might not bother you.
I picked up on it, but there is also a famous actress called [name_u]Sasha[/name_u] [name_m]Alexander[/name_m], who plays [name_f]Maura[/name_f] Isles on Rizzoli & Isles. I wouldn’t do it.
I knew the link and I’m not russian, neither I am slavic. Like somebody else said, I think you’ll find more people who know about this than not. I personally wouldn’t use it. But maybe you can find a similar name. Like [name_f]Sara[/name_f] or you could go with [name_f]Natasha[/name_f] and use [name_u]Sasha[/name_u] as a nickname…
I definitely noticed it and I think most other people would to. Honestly, to me it would kinda seems like you named your kids the same name and just use different nicknames for them. Like naming your kids [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] and calling them [name_f]Beth[/name_f] and [name_f]Liz[/name_f].
I agree with @squidly. It’s like calling your kids the same name. You already have a kid you can legitimately call [name_u]Sasha[/name_u]. Pick a different name, I say!
Personally, I love the idea. Besides, you won’t call [name_u]Alex[/name_u] [name_u]Sasha[/name_u] and vice versa. It is a more common accurance than you think. My mom is [name_f]Jane[/name_f] and has a brother named [name_m]John[/name_m] and my husband is [name_m]Steven[/name_m] and his sister is [name_f]Stephanie[/name_f]. Your choice is at least an obvious difference. Really,it’s kind of a sweet homage to a sibling.
i know siblings named alexander and natasha, and like that combo better. but alex and sasha are kind of cute together, BECAUSE of the connection, not despite.
It’s not common knowledge. And keep in mind this is a site of name nerds, so it’s going to /seem/ like common knowledge here but I really don’t think it is in most parts of the world besides maybeee Europe. I do like the suggestion of [name_f]Natasha[/name_f] (what about [name_u]Mischa[/name_u]/[name_u]Misha[/name_u]?), but I think [name_u]Sasha[/name_u] works totally fine on her own. If you love it, use it.
I would not use Sasha for a sister of Alexander, as a given name or a nickname. It would just be giving siblings the same name, whether or not people pick up on it (and there will be at least a number of people who will). Furthermore, I cannot see a girl being happy at being given the masculine nickname of her brother’s name.
It could work
I grew up in a diverse area, so [name_m]Alexander[/name_m]/[name_u]Sasha[/name_u] is just as much common knowledge as [name_m]Robert[/name_m]/[name_u]Bobby[/name_u]. I would assume that either you didn’t know you were giving your kids the same name or you intentionally did it because you were honoring an [name_m]Alexander[/name_m]. Personally, I wouldn’t do it but it’s not bad and I wouldn’t discourage it.
I suggest [name_f]Sancha[/name_f]. It’s very similar to [name_u]Sasha[/name_u] in look & sound. I also like the suggestion of [name_f]Natasha[/name_f].
Husband doesn’t like [name_f]Natasha[/name_f] and says [name_f]Tasha[/name_f] is the NN not [name_u]Sasha[/name_u]
[name_f]Saskia[/name_f] he says sounds too foreign. We are Anglo background so I tend to agree on that one!