boy name opinion: Alexander

kat81 · November 2010

I'll probably cross post this to the baby names board, but this is my go-to, so I figured I'd ask you all first.

DH loves Alexander. A ton. I like it a lot too and don't have any other male names that I like more per se, though there are others I think are basically equally good. Just as with all of our considerations, I want to be devil's advocate and think of the potential problems.

The problem that comes immediately to mind is that Alexander happens to be extremely popular right now. Moreover, we have a VERY common last name (in top 10). So, I was sort of hoping to give our kids less common first names.

But other than that, I think it's a good name. Let me ask you this specific question -- when you think of Alexander as a name, do you roll your eyes because it's so popular right now? Like it's too trendy? Or is such a classic name that it doesn't matter that it's currently popular? For example, my nephew's name is William after my father, and that name just happens to be super popular now...but no one thinks, "ugh, they named him William, just like everyone else. There are SO many of those now!"

fitzgerald5909 · November 2010

I love the name Alexander! I think it's a classic name. Seems like the more trendy version has become Xander. I say if you both like it, thats really all that matters

LovesMM · November 2010

I always liked Alexander. It was my go to name if we had a boy but Mr.MM vetoed it. I this he did solely on the basis that I would have used the nickname Xander and he HATED that.

If you like it, use it.

lderea · November 2010

I like Alexander- I think it falls under "classic" instead of "overused". We couldn't use it because my one nephew is Alexander, but I am sure we would have considered it.

spankymclaalaa · November 2010

My brothers name is Alexander, so is my grandfathers and my great grandfathers. It's a family name so I think of it as being classic. I really haven't heard of many Alexanders lately actually so the "trendy" thing never crosses my mind. I was going to use it for a boy but considering it's my brothers name I left it for him to use when he has children, so he can have a Jr. if he wanted.

jenvalet · November 2010

I love it, and if I had my way, we'd use it. But MH doesn't like it. I think it's a nice, solid, classic name.

lulu8109 · November 2010

I love the name Alexander. I think it's a strong and classic name. I even like all the female versions of it (Alexa, Alexia, Alexandria). I didn't realize it was extra popular now. I actually don't know a lot of Alexes, just my uncle and his daughter is Alexa after him. I don't think it's one of those overly trendy names like Aiden and the like. I would use it if you love it.

ETA: If I had a really common last name, I would try to find a first name that is a little less common. I would try Googling your LO's potential name just to see how common it is, just for kicks.

jillybean800 · November 2010

I am probably going to go with Alexander for our little boy.

I think boys do well with "classic" names. Boys names rarely get "trendy" anyway.

cc605 · November 2010

Agreed that it's classic not trendy.

lulu3061 · November 2010

I don't consider Alexander to be a 'trendy' name, it's definitely a classic name and will always be somewhat popular. Alexander and William are about the same trend level IMO.

Chick7806 · November 2010

I like Alexander a lot, too. I would probably use Alex as a NN. And I don't think it's too trendy. LIke a PP said, I think it's more "classic."

bosha711 · November 2010

Alex has been my #1 name choice for either boy or girl (Alexander/Alexandra) for as long as I can remember. I LOVE it. But, MH hates it. I never thought of it to be "popular", just classic.

There has been no convincing MH on Alex, so we're going with Anthony (I think!)

sil222 · November 2010

i like Alexander, Lex is good nn for that and not used often.

sunnysmiles49 · November 2010

Classic! I'm using a version of this name for family reasons.

mama_cito95 · November 2010

I love that name, and I wanted to name our LO Alexander, but DH doesn't like it, and 3 of his nephews has it as their middle names (don't ask).

tiffanyp · November 2010

I don't consider it trendy. I think it's one of those names that never goes out of style, like Michael, Matthew, James, Brian, Andrew, etc. I like it a lot, but it's way too common, especially with a common last name.

kat81 · November 2010

Thanks everyone! Unless we think of something else we like as much that isn't so common we'll probably go with Alexander in spite of the common + common combo. I did google the name and it doesn't seem like there is an obvious celebrity/historical figure with the same full name. But yes, this poor child will probably have to be confused with other people (if it's a boy). And we're giving him a Christmas birthday to boot. Poor kid. But it might be a girl, in which case our name options are much less common.

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