Name Claim?

Ali Anne

I am totally at a loss as to what to name my DD! I really like the name Alexandra but I know that I will end up using Zandra as a nickname (which I LOVE), but then I found out that my SIL has always been in love with the name Zander for her future son. I have been living a few hours away from them since before they even got together, and have only recently gotten to know her. I guess that I could still use the name but be wary of using the nickname around her (I only see them a few times a year). I don't want to make it seem like I am stealing her name from her, I hadn't even made the connection until my brother started listing off names that she wanted for their kids. My BF really likes the name Alexandra and I am seriously considering it. I just really don't want to hurt my SIL's feelings or make her mad. 

Then again, the other nicknames for Alexandra are basically the same for my name, Alison. I also like the names Lilly and Teagan. I am 35 weeks and have been having pretty high blood pressure for a few weeks, so DD could be here any time in the next 5 weeks. I would really like to at least have a good idea of what I want her name to be! I like Gaelic/Celtic names quite a bit, but any time I try to bounce any ideas off of anyone I usually don't get a very helpful response.

help!? 

AlphabetFish

What about Lex or Lexie as a NN?

And my advice is to ask her about it and see if you two can come to a compromise (unless you really don't get along). And if you don't get along, and your baby comes first, it's your right to take the name you want. 

HannahO28

Use the name you love. Your SIL may never have a son, or she may decide she likes another name by then. And you're not even using the same name--the NN you like is the feminized version of the name she likes. That's way too far removed to be a problem. AND you don't even see her that often! You're overthinking it, for sure. 

Ali Anne

I didn't even think about that one, her Godmother is Alexa (Lexie), so I'm sure they'd love to have the same NN!

DawnJM25

If I were you I'd talk to her about it.  As a PP said, she might not have a son, so it may not be an issue.  Or, maybe you could choose a different nn. 

 

rubyjem00

I would definitely still use the name, if you love it. It isn't even the same name...

Stacemacd

My cousin is Alexandra and her dad always called her Zanne... just a little bit different.

ellewoodsSC

If you love the name Alexandra, there's no reason not to use it.  For one, you're having the first baby and you didn't intentionally "steal" someone else's idea.   There's no guarantee that your SIL will ever have a son and here you are with a baby due in a matter of days.  I think the two are separate enough that it doesn't even matter. ( I really don't like the name Zander).

Her nn could be Alexa, Lexie, Alex...  If you love it, go for it!  

 

miababy

HannahO28:

Use the name you love. Your SIL may never have a son, or she may decide she likes another name by then. And you're not even using the same name--the NN you like is the feminized version of the name she likes. That's way too far removed to be a problem. AND you don't even see her that often! You're overthinking it, for sure. 

This. 

drkcrystl4@aol.com

I don't see why you can't use it.  It's not the same name, not even the same nick name, just similar.  And I don't see a problem with have a Zander and a Zandra that are cousins. 

cfmama

My mom is Alexandra and she has always been called "Sandy"

ChavayJakov

See, I think when you first heard SIL's love/plan for Zander you should have spoken up immediately with, "Oh, that's funny because here's what we're doing with the name Alexandra!"  Then you could have rolled that into how cute the little first cousins would be together with the names.  Then you wouldn't be in a predicament and potentially loosing your favorite name.

You can still go back and tell them that this was your plan all along and tried to put it out of your head but just can't because this baby, to you, already has a name.  Then go back and talk about how cute first cousins with mirrored names would be so cute especially if they are close.   

jupiterthecat

Alexandra has lots of nicknames, and the only one that I can think of that overlaps with Allison nicknames is Allie.  Other than Lexi and Zandra/ Xandra, there's Alex, Alexa, Lexa, Alexis, Sasha, Andra-- it just goes on and on. Sasha is a traditional nickname for Alexandra, and I love it.

I also see no big problem with cousins named Zandra/Xandra and Zander/ Xander. 

GoldenGibson

Use the name you love, like a pp said, there's no way to know if she'll evr even have a son. Although, I think there are plenty of NN's to use for Alexandra and Zandra is just odd.

apc1929

If she isn't even pregnant I see no issue whatsoever with using Alexandra and callin her Zander.  Who knows if she will even have a son one day?? Crazy not to use a name you love in this situ in my opinion..

526SadieSadie

AlphabetFish:

What about Lex or Lexie as a NN?

And my advice is to ask her about it and see if you two can come to a compromise (unless you really don't get along). And if you don't get along, and your baby comes first, it's your right to take the name you want. 

I'd also say Lex or Lexi for a nn. Zandra is a stretch for me unless you were spelling her name Alezandra.  Furthermore, if your SIL had already named a son Zander, I'd understand your feelings, but there's no telling when or if they will have a little boy named Zander.  You can't always take everyone's feelings into account (though it's very sweet of you to try) and it's probably exhausting!

robynlesley

Name your DD Alexandra...

If your SIL eventually has a boy and names him Alexander or Zander, then they'll be first cousins with similar names.  It's not a big deal, really.

Though I honestly think Zandra is an odd nickname for Alexandra. I'd think Lexie (since Allie is out, as Ali is YOUR nickname) is cute. And the name Alexandra, while long, is beautiful. You don't have to use a nickname.

Zaphina

HannahO28:

Use the name you love. Your SIL may never have a son, or she may decide she likes another name by then. And you're not even using the same name--the NN you like is the feminized version of the name she likes. That's way too far removed to be a problem. AND you don't even see her that often! You're overthinking it, for sure. 

 

And as far as cousins with similar names go, I have a cousin Daniel and a Danielle and they're both Danny's to us. Also, I'm Katie and my cousin is Kaylie... people call us the wrong name occasionally but it's no biggie.