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Alex

♂ Boy

Pronounced AL-eks /ˈæl.ɛks/High

Meaning: Defender of the people; short form of Alexander, from Greek alexein (to defend) + aner (man)High

In 30 seconds: The universally loved short form of Alexander, meaning 'defender of the people.' Used independently for both boys and girls, it's been a perennial chart presence across the English-speaking world.
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Origin HighGreek
MeaningDefender of the people; short form of Alexander, from Greek alexein (to defend) + aner (man)
Peak year1993
Total births (all-time)≈ 269,934

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199318802017

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Alex is the short form of Alexander, from the Greek Ἀλέξανδρος (Alexandros), composed of alexein ('to defend') and aner/andros ('man, people'). Alexander the Great (356–323 BCE) spread the name throughout the ancient world. Alex has been used as an independent given name since at least the 19th century.

Alex has functioned both as a nickname and as an independent given name across the 20th and 21st centuries. Its brevity and adaptability — used for both boys and girls — have kept it perpetually popular. In the United States it has been a steady top-100 boys' name for decades.

Did you know? Alexander the Great so thoroughly dominated history that his name became a byword for conquest and genius — ensuring that Alex has been in continuous use for over 2,300 years.

Variations

AlexanderAlejandroAlexandreAlexis

Nicknames

Al

Famous Bearers

  • ★Alex Rodriguez (b. 1975)
    American MLB player and three-time MVP.
  • ★Alex Trebek (1940–2020)
    Canadian-American television personality, longtime host of <em>Jeopardy!</em>.

If you like Alex…

Alexander— the full form of the same name
Max— similarly short, strong classic short form
Leo— crisp two-syllable classic with the same timeless energy

Frequently Asked

What does the name Alex mean?

Alex is a short form of Alexander, from Greek meaning 'defender of the people.'

How do you pronounce Alex?

Alex is pronounced AL-eks (/ˈæl.ɛks/) — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Alex a boy or girl name?

Alex is used for both boys and girls, though it is more common as a boy's name in the U.S.

How popular is Alex?

Alex has been a consistent top-100 U.S. boys' name for decades and also appears regularly in the top 500 for girls.