Name Help is a series at Appellation Mountain. Every week, we discuss reader’s name questions, usually on Tuesdays and Fridays. We’re relying on thoughtful comments from the community to help expectant parents narrow down their name decisions. Thank you in advance for sharing your insight! To have your question considered, email appmtn (at) gmail. Looking for your own private #namehelp post? Order one here.
KEEPING A FAMILY PATTERN GOING
Sarah writes:
My husband is Alex and my middle name is Ximena. When our son was born we agreed on Xavier, so he’d share the letter X with both of us.
If we had a second boy, we’d planned to call him Maxwell, Max for short.
Instead we’re having a girl, and I’m over the moon about it! But finding a name for her feels hard.
Maxine/Max is out because on the chance we have a third child in the future, I would probably want that to be his name still. (And if we had a third and it was a girl, then maybe we’d consider Maxine.)
We had also talked about Lennox for a boy, but I don’t think I like it that much for a boy, and I really don’t love it for a girl. Plus we’d probably call her Lennie, so I’m not sure it really fits anyway.
Naming her Alexandra after her dad has come up, but I don’t want two Alexes, Lexie doesn’t really appeal to me, and Alexa is ruined by the device.
I don’t really like Xyla/Xylie/Xenia, and it feels like two names starting with X is overkill.
We are strongly considering Roxy but Roxanne feels sort of 80s to me. Is Roxy/Roxie enough of a name on its own?
Please read on for my response and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.
NAMING XAVIER’S SISTER
Abby replies:
Congratulations on your new daughter!
I think there are actually a few questions here:
- Does the name Roxy/Roxie stand on its own?
- Are there names besides Roxanne that shorten to Roxy/Roxie?
- Are there other names including the letter X you should consider for Xavier’s sister?
- Is it important that the given name contain the letter X? Or that your daughter’s daily use name include the letter X? (After all, you’re Sarah Ximena … but that X isn’t obvious to most people you know, right?)
We can help with the first three questions. The last one is for you and your husband. I don’t think there’s a wrong answer but I do think that requiring your child’s daily use name to include the letter X is the higher bar. And that could (potentially) make it even more difficult to name a future third child.
Let’s get to work on those questions.
Does Roxy/Roxie need a formal name?
I don’t think so, at least not for a child born in 2026. That’s because nicknames-as-formal-names have become very common place. Girls are called Sadie, Millie, and Ellie. Boys answer to Charlie and Theo. We really do appreciate short, casual names in a way that might not have been true even 20 years ago. Roxy/Roxie would fit right in with her generation.
In terms of spelling?
- In 2024, 50 girls were named Roxy. That’s pretty steady over the last five years or so, but in general, the name is decreasing in use.
- 48 girls were named Roxie in 2024. That’s a slight increase in recent years, and the trendline looks like it favors Roxie as a stand-alone name.
That said, neither name is even a little bit common – so either spelling could work well.
MORE GIRL NAMES INCLUDING X
BEATRIX
Another spelling for Beatrice, one that could lead to sparky nickname Trixie.
LUX
The Latin word for light, pronounced like Lukes.
MARGAUX
Margot with a fancified spelling. A silent X to be sure, and possibly a spelling challenge.
XOE
Would Zoe with an X appeal, or is this just another in the Xyla/Xylie category?
FORMAL NAMES FOR ROXY
RAQUEL, ROCHELLE
Two old school ways to get to the nickname.
ROSE, ROSANNA
Most Rose names shorten to Rosie, but Roxie works, too.
ROXELANA
Lots of Rox- elaborations have been used in small numbers, like Roxette and Roxia. But Roxelana is straight out of the history books, a 16th century sultana.
VERONICA
This might be a stretch, but offbeat classic Veronica feels like the ROC sound is there.
Overall, I’m really drawn to one idea in particular: Rose Ximena. Your daughter could share your middle name and she’s Rose X. It makes Roxie a fun, easy nickname option.
If not Rose Ximena, I really do like the idea of Beatrix called Trixie. Xavier and Beatrix sound like siblings, and Xavier and Trixie are just plain fun to say together. Trixie feels like a good substitute for Roxie, but maybe a little less daring.
Here’s another vote for Beatrix! It’s such a pretty name! If you’re not sure about Trixie, Bea and Bex are options too.
I also really like the suggestion of Rose Ximena. Such a fun way to get to Roxie. Of course, it doesn’t have to be Rose -it could be Rosalie, Rosamund. Rosemary… and any X middle name.
Rosalie Ximena
Rosamund Xyla
Rosemary Xochitl
Congrats on your baby girl!
So many wonderful options for you! Any of these would work well I think-
– Rose Ximena called Roxie is wonderful!
– Beatrix (great with Xavier!)
– Roxana (do you like this version of the name more?)
– Alexandra with a different nickname
– Any middle name with an X if you aren’t convinced for the first name
Jax
Calytrix
Fox (maybe for a son?)
Pax
Nyx
Dixie
Luxavera
Luxelata
Luxelena
Luxifera
Raddix (perfect for Roxy!)
Nox
Onyx
Phoenix
Calix
Dax
Rex
Hendrix
Pax
Since dad and son both have an X in their first names then can mom and daughter both have an X in their middle names? I feel like trying to pick a first name with an X is kind of boxing you into choices you aren’t sure you truly love.
Great point! X in a middle name would be perfect and less limiting!
If you don’t require that the “X” is used in the everyday nickname, could you revisit Alexandra and consider other nicknames? Allie, Andie, or even Sasha?
similarly, other nn’s could be Axie / Exie (historically common) Nixie, and Dixie (people are surprised by these, but the letters are there)
Also wanted to add Oxana as an option!
You have some really lovely options. Just remember that if none of them are right, the x requirement does not have to be a rule. You could try to see what names you would like outside of the rule and see if it measures up or you really do need the pattern.