Home › Baby Names Directory › Alexander

Alexander

♂ Boy

Pronounced al-ig-ZAN-der /ˌæl.ɪɡˈzæn.dər/High

Meaning: Defender of men; protector of the peopleHigh

In 30 seconds: From the Greek for 'defender of men,' Alexander is one of history's most powerful names — carried by the great Macedonian conqueror and scores of kings and emperors since.
💕 Browse more names
Origin HighGreek
MeaningDefender of men; protector of the people
Peak year1993
Total births (all-time)≈ 661,068

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

Alexander comes from the Greek Alexandros, composed of alexein (to defend, protect) and aner/andros (man), meaning 'defender of men.' It was used in ancient Greece before being made globally famous by Alexander III of Macedon (Alexander the Great).

After Alexander the Great, the name was adopted by rulers, saints, and popes across the ancient and medieval world. Three emperors of Scotland, eight popes, and three tsars of Russia bore this name. It has been consistently in the U.S. top 20 boys' names and entered the top 10 from the 1990s through the 2010s.

Did you know? Alexander the Great (356–323 BC) conquered an empire stretching from Greece to northwestern India by age 30, spreading Greek culture across the ancient world. His name was so revered that it was adopted by rulers across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia for millennia.

Variations

AleksanderAlejandroAlessandroAlexandreAlasdairAlec

Nicknames

AlexXanderAlecLexSasha

Famous Bearers

  • ★Alexander the Great (356–323 BC)
    Macedonian king and military genius who created one of the largest empires of the ancient world.
  • ★Alexander Hamilton (1755/1757–1804)
    American Founding Father, first Secretary of the Treasury.
  • ★Alexander Graham Bell (1847–1922)
    Scottish-American inventor, credited with patenting the telephone.

If you like Alexander…

Sebastian— shares the distinguished classical multi-syllable feel
Theodore— equally stately and classical with great nickname options
William— fellow conqueror-associated name with centuries of dominance
James— equally timeless with the same dignified staying power
Nicholas— another Greek-origin classic with the same enduring royal use

Frequently Asked

What does the name Alexander mean?

Alexander comes from the Greek Alexandros, meaning 'defender of men' or 'protector of the people,' made famous by Alexander the Great.

How do you pronounce Alexander?

Alexander is said al-ig-ZAN-der /ˌæl.ɪɡˈzæn.dər/ — four syllables, with stress on the third.

Is Alexander a boy or girl name?

Alexander is used almost exclusively as a boy's name; the feminine equivalents include Alexandra and Alessandra.

How popular is Alexander?

Alexander has ranked in the U.S. top 20 boys' names consistently since the mid-20th century, and entered the top 10 from the 1990s through the 2010s.