Alexandra /Aleksandra

[MnGmakes3]

While hubby and I have discussed that we'll call her Allie I'm still torn on the spelling of her full name. I *was* set on Aleksandra but then keep changing my mind....
I'm 100% Polish (born and raised) and really want to pass down the heritage through the spelling (amongst other things) but I know she'll probably NEVER find anything with her name on it (a secret way to save $ lol) and if she wants to shorten it when writing it'll look like Aleks which is the male form and I'm not that fond of it...then again maybe she'll just write Allie when school aged.

I don't mind Alexandra, it's just too common looking for me.

What do you ladies think?

 

[staralfur]

I have a name with a unique spelling and not being able to find stuff with my name on it never really bothered me. It DID bother me to have to spell it out a million times/always having my name spelled incorrectly but I think it's a bit different if it's a name that's actually "correct" in another culture as opposed to just being completely made up like my name.

I think she could still easily shorten her name to Alex if she wanted to.

I'm usually one for traditional spellings but since they're both traditional in different places then I think I'd give slight favour to Aleksandra because I think it's a nice nod to your heritage.

 

[CandiceSj]

Aleksandra feels like a better fit since you are Polish and want a link to your heritage. And it's not weird or confusing enough to be problematic for non-Polish people to "get". I really find it's great!

 

[MnGmakes3]

Thanks girls. You're really helping to push me toward that spelling. It does mean a lot to me to have it the traditional way, I just worry in the future she might end up hating it :-/

 

[Milalacht]

I'd take the Polish spelling, because of the meaning it has to you and because there are so many kids names Alexandra with x.
If she really would want to shorten it to "Alex" she can still to that without changing a real name. Nicknames don't have to fit the spelling of the real name in my opinion.

I have a name with a unique spelling and not being able to find stuff with my name on it never really bothered me. It DID bother me to have to spell it out a million times/always having my name spelled incorrectly but I think it's a bit different if it's a name that's actually "correct" in another culture as opposed to just being completely made up like my name.

this happens even with a less unique name. i always have got mention that I'm written the traditional way with "ph" instead of "f" for example...and I love my Polish surname eventhough I always have to correct people and spell it letter per letter (and they still write it wrong).
Not everyone is called John Smith or Sarah Miller and it would be very boring if it were like that.
names can positively form identity and giving the child a positive connection to their heritage with their name is a great thing.
My Polish grandpa was a hero. He was kind, funny, proud, a great problem-solver, hardworking and saved several people's life.
Wearing his name feels good for me even if i have to correct peoples spelling all the time.

 

[CandiceSj]

Thanks girls. You're really helping to push me toward that spelling. It does mean a lot to me to have it the traditional way, I just worry in the future she might end up hating it :-/

If anything, I think she'll be proud of it!

It's not like you chose the spelling to be "uneek". In your case, Aleksandra is the real spelling (Alexandra would've been just as real, not trying to say it wouldn't), unlike what it would be for me to use Aleksandra, as a person with no Polish ancestry. I know one adult Aleksandra and I haven't asked flat out but I have seen her be proud of her polish heritage.

 

[MnGmakes3]

Thanks girls. You're really helping to push me toward that spelling. It does mean a lot to me to have it the traditional way, I just worry in the future she might end up hating it :-/

If anything, I think she'll be proud of it!

It's not like you chose the spelling to be "uneek". In your case, Aleksandra is the real spelling (Alexandra would've been just as real, not trying to say it wouldn't), unlike what it would be for me to use Aleksandra, as a person with no Polish ancestry. I know one adult Aleksandra and I haven't asked flat out but I have seen her be proud of her polish heritage.

Very well put. Thank you!

 

[staralfur]

I'd take the Polish spelling, because of the meaning it has to you and because there are so many kids names Alexandra with x.
If she really would want to shorten it to "Alex" she can still to that without changing a real name. Nicknames don't have to fit the spelling of the real name in my opinion.

I have a name with a unique spelling and not being able to find stuff with my name on it never really bothered me. It DID bother me to have to spell it out a million times/always having my name spelled incorrectly but I think it's a bit different if it's a name that's actually "correct" in another culture as opposed to just being completely made up like my name.

this happens even with a less unique name. i always have got mention that I'm written the traditional way with "ph" instead of "f" for example...and I love my Polish surname eventhough I always have to correct people and spell it letter per letter (and they still write it wrong).
Not everyone is called John Smith or Sarah Miller and it would be very boring if it were like that.
names can positively form identity and giving the child a positive connection to their heritage with their name is a great thing.
My Polish grandpa was a hero. He was kind, funny, proud, a great problem-solver, hardworking and saved several people's life.
Wearing his name feels good for me even if i have to correct peoples spelling all the time.

I know having to correct spelling/having their spelled wrong all the time is not terribly bothersome to everyone, just sharing my experience. And as you saw in the end I was still in favour of the more 'unusual' spelling.

 

[Mrs_Bump]

Agree with everyone else, aleksandra. It's a real spelling and it's part of your heritage. I've also known a couple so it's not exactly out there. It's a great choice.

 

[.hopeful.one.]

My name is Alexandra (Ali). But I would pass down the Aleksandra spelling if it has more meaning for you. Either way, I think it's a great name

 

[minties]

Aleksandra is beautiful, and I would spell it that way. You never know, she might want to be called Sandra anyway and not the Aleks part?

 

[Caitie44]

I absolutely love the spelling of Aleksandra. Alexandra just looks too harsh to me, and I'm typically not a fan of names using the letter X for whatever reason.

 

[Bevziibubble]

I love Aleksandra!