N for Name

My given name uncomplicated is. Well, that was what I thought when I lived in Poland. Soon after coming to Texas, it appeared to be not that obvious. Most people could not remember my name. Some, if they did, thought it was Alessandra, Alejandra, or Alexandria. On the other hand, if someone happened to see the written version of my first name, they got confused and had no clue how to pronounce it.

The short form of Aleksandra, commonly used in Poland, is Ola. I do not use it in Texas, though. Why? Because of the Spanish language omnipresent here and the meaning of "hola" in that tongue.

Picture yourself a situation/dialogue: "Hola, what is your name?"
"Ola."
"Hola, but what is your name?"
And so on, and so on.

I have decided to make it simpler and started using "Aleks" [alex] instead of "Aleksandra". Since then, in 99,9%, when I say my name, I get a reply: "Alice?"
Some people get used to "Aleks". However, before it happens, I am also called Alexia, Alexa, Alexis, Lexi, and Lexia.

Recently, a lady asked me about my name.
I said, "Aleks".
"Iris?"
"No, not Iris. Aleks. For Aleksandra."
"Ah, Aleksandra. Have you thought about shortening it somehow?"