I know a man named
Alexis. I've known him since we were both small children.
He's always gone by
Alex. I doubt there are many people in his life apart from family who realize his name is
not Alexander. But I've never heard him say he's embarrassed by his name.
He might be, though. I understand why you think it's unusable. Same raw deal for the boys as with
Ashley, etcetera. Once it's on a girl, it can't come back. That kills me.