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Questions on Alexander?

32 replies

PistachioTruffle · 15/08/2013 22:16

Currently expecting DC1, a boy. Alexander is my favourite boys name ever, and one of the few DH and I agreed on. However, DH has some reservations, mainly since it was revealed as one of Prince George's middle names. So....

A. Is Alexander is about to experience a huge surge in popularity due to its use by the royals? DH thinks yes, I think it's unlikely.

B. Will it always be associated with Prince George? (I think that noone remembers William's middle names, and therefore it won't be an issue, DH disagrees)

C. Will it be shortened to 'Al'?! I don't mind either Alex or Xander as nicknames, but DH reckons people are likely to shorten it to Al!

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

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Picturesinthefirelight · 15/08/2013 22:21

I've got an Alexander. He is known as Alex, never Al. Occasionally AJ (middle name begins with J & my brother calls it him as his dds middle name is Jay)

It's a popular name anyway. I know loads if other Alex's

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LauraChant · 15/08/2013 22:22

I have a three year old Alexander, no-one ever shortens it to Al! We call him Alex or Alexander.

I don't think the name will be associated with the prince. However it is already pretty popular. We have just been camping and whenever we shoutrd "Alex!" four or five boys looked up! We seem to know a lot of them.

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sleepingbeautiful · 15/08/2013 22:38

IMO
A It's already and always popular.
B The prince won't affect popularity, for the reasons you give.
C He will get Alex. I usually hear Al for Alastair/Alasdair.

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Anjou · 16/08/2013 00:16

A) no
B) no
C) no. Alex, Lex, Xander or Sandy yes. Smile

Alexander is a lovely, strong, classic name. Sounds like your DP is perhaps dead set against it though? Show him this thread if you think it will convert him! Good luck!

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PixelAteMyFace · 16/08/2013 00:48

A) No
B) No
C) No

It`s great Wink

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WalterandWinifred · 16/08/2013 07:57

On the 'Al' point, my DB is Alexander. I've always called him Al but I'm just about the only one who does. To everyone else he's Alex.

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kelda · 16/08/2013 07:59

Alexander and variations has always been popular worldwide. It's a very cool name.

He'll most likely be called Alex.

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lilstar · 16/08/2013 08:40

I forgot Alexander was even in the prince's name and suspect alot of other people will be the same. I don't think its overly popular either. At least it isn't here...I'm in central scotland. I do know one Alexander and it only ever gets shortened to Alex. I don't think you have anything to worry about. Personally I think it's a lovely boys name.

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Thurlow · 16/08/2013 13:23

It's a classic name, and I don't think it will be affected at all by being one of Prince George's middle names. Some people might think of shortening it to 'Al' but I'd see that more as a nn for Alistair than for Alexander - Alex/Xander are far more common.

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nelly83 · 16/08/2013 19:56

I have an Alexander. We call him Alex or Ali, never Al. Obviously I think its an oober cool name! I was a bit worried when I heard the prince's name but I think its popular enough anyway. I think its a name that suits all ages and is lovely as full name or as nn e.g. Alex. Gfi!

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nelly83 · 16/08/2013 19:56

I have an Alexander. We call him Alex or Ali, never Al. Obviously I think its an oober cool name! I was a bit worried when I heard the prince's name but I think its popular enough anyway. I think its a name that suits all ages and is lovely as full name or as nn e.g. Alex. Gfi!

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Sanjifair · 17/08/2013 06:55

I have an Alexander. It's a lot more popular than I realised, I know at least 7 of them. Never called Al, only Alex. As its already so popular, I doubt the prince's middle name will make any difference.

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PistachioTruffle · 17/08/2013 11:13

Thank you all for your replies!

I knew Alexander was pretty popular (for good reason, it's a great name!), and obviosuly didnt mind, but I think DH has visions of every other boy born this year being given the name due to its use by Will and Kate Hmm

As it is, I'm not giving up on it yet as I really love it!

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Littleen · 18/08/2013 20:16

My bf's name is Alexander - shortened to Al by lots of people, but he calls himself Alex! I can't stand Al, so I always introduce him as Alex :P Not met many with the name in UK but it's very popular other places in Europe.

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Bowlersarm · 18/08/2013 20:21

I really don't think you need to worry about it being a royal middle name.

Most Alexander's I know are Alex; with the exception of one who is Al.

I know a few who were called Xander when small, but the name didn't stick for some reason, and they became Alex.

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HorryIsUpduffed · 18/08/2013 20:22

I think it's already fairly popular and won't be associated with Prince George.

Alex is default; Xander if you insist on it; Al when he is significantly older, by his own choice.

I didn't like it enough for DS1 but the name we did use for DS1 meant we couldn't use it for subsequent children, which does disappoint me a bit now slightly.

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MumOfTheMoos · 18/08/2013 20:30

I have an Alexander and we call him Sasha (Russian diminutive); every first born boy on my fathers side of the family is called Alexander and are called everyday: Alex, Sandy, Alec, AD (and of course Sasha) but never Al. My dad was known as Ali when he was a kid, leaving him with the assumption that his name was Alistair util he joined the navy during the war and saw his birth certificate for the first time.

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notquitenormal · 18/08/2013 22:52

I have an Alexander, known as Alex...never anything else. It is a popular name, but not overused I think and it has so many nickname options that multiples aren't much of a problem. We have several in our family (it's a tradition) known variously as Alex, Alec, Sandy & Sacha...but never Al!

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AberdeenAngusina · 19/08/2013 03:17

I don't know any Alexanders shortened to Al; it's always Alec, Alex, Sandy or Zander.

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AberdeenAngusina · 19/08/2013 03:19

Also, there are plenty of Alexanders; it's not unique to the Prince. Most people would think "Alexander the Great" before they thought "that's Prince George's middle name."

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juicyjuice · 19/08/2013 08:57

Sorry to go against the grain but I know several Alexanders my age (30ish) who do get called Al- it's more of a nick name of a nick name (Alex) iykwim... Little Alexanders probably don't get called Al much though.

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sashh · 19/08/2013 09:07

Is Alexander is about to experience a huge surge in popularity due to its use by the royals? DH thinks yes, I think it's unlikely.

Nothing to do with the royal, but there are a lot of pointless fans around and they can't all call their children Richard.

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PaddyP00 · 19/08/2013 09:24

Lex is the shortened form in this house - which had the added coolness of Lex Luther links apparently!! Wink

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BadRoly · 19/08/2013 09:31

I have a 10yo Alexander. Don't know many others and none in his year group at school.

Doubt it will surge in popularity as it seems to be one of those names that is always on the edges of fashion - everyone knows one or two but there doesn't seem to be 5 in a class Smile

My boy dislikes Alex and is known as Ally to everyone although dh and I call him Al on occasion.

On phone so forgotten what else you asked...

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Thingymajigs · 19/08/2013 09:38

badroly I have a 10 yo Alexander who is part of the 'Alex club'. There are 4 other Alex's in his class. We must have all had the same idea at the same time. No idea why there was a popularity spike at that time though.

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