Aral Alexander Vorkosigan, or Lord Aral, was the eldest child and first son of Miles Naismith Vorkosigan and Ekaterin Nile Vorkosigan. He was second in line to the Vorkosigan's District Countship, and had black hair like his father. In keeping with High Vor family tradition, he was named after his paternal grandfather Aral Vorkosigan and his maternal grandfather Alexander Vorvayne. He had trouble deciding what he wanted his nickname to be: He was first known as Sasha, before trying Xander, Lexie, and A.A., before finally settling on Alex.