Female porter maybe cross with artist (9)

I believe the answer is:

alexandra

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'female' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are singular nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?

'porter maybe cross with artist' is the wordplay.
'porter maybe' becomes 'ale' (type of alcoholic drink).
'cross' becomes 'x' (X is cross-shaped).
'with' becomes 'and'.
'artist' becomes 'RA' (Royal Academician, member of Royal Academy of Arts).
'ale'+'x'+'and'+'ra'='ALEXANDRA'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for alexandra that I've seen before include "See 9" , "Queen of Edward VII" , "A queen consort" , "Girl's name" , "Queen --; -- Palace" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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