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Alexandria

♀ Girl

Pronounced al-eg-ZAN-dree-uh /ˌæl.ɪɡˈzæn.dri.ə/High

Meaning: Feminine form of Alexandros, from Greek 'alexein' (to defend) and 'aner/andros' (man), meaning 'defender of men'; also the name of the famous ancient city in Egypt founded by Alexander the GreatHigh

In 30 seconds: Alexandria is the grandest feminine form of Alexander — a five-syllable sweep of Greek history evoking the ancient city of scholars, pharaohs, and the greatest library of the ancient world. Bold and magnificent.
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Origin HighGreek
MeaningFeminine form of Alexandros, from Greek 'alexein' (to defend) and 'aner/andros' (man), meaning 'defender of men'; also the name of the famous ancient city in Egypt founded by Alexander the Great
U.S. rank (2025)#474 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births647 girls (0.04% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1993
Total births (all-time)≈ 104,533

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199319022025

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

History & Origin

Alexandria is the feminine form of Alexandros (Alexander), composed of Greek alexein (to defend, protect) and aner/andros (man), meaning 'defender of men.' The city of Alexandria was founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC and became one of the greatest cities of antiquity — center of learning, trade, and culture. The name has been used for girls since ancient times.

As a given name, Alexandria has been used throughout history in Greek, Macedonian, Egyptian, and later Christian contexts. In the modern United States it has been a top-200 girls' name, valued for its sweeping grandeur and rich historical associations. It is one of the longest commonly used girls' names in American naming.

Did you know? The Library of Alexandria, founded in the 3rd century BC, was the greatest repository of knowledge in the ancient world, holding an estimated 400,000 to 700,000 scrolls. Its partial destruction is considered one of history's great intellectual losses — and the city that housed it shares its name with this magnificent girls' name.
Overall data confidence 97%
Behind the Name — Alexandria — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

AlexandraAlejandraAlessandraSandraAlexis

Nicknames

AlexLexiLexieAllieXandra

Famous Bearers

  • ★Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (1989–present)
    American politician and U.S. Representative, known as AOC

If you like Alexandria…

Valentina— shares the five-syllable grandeur and the same romantic sweep
Aleksandra— the Slavic form of the same name with equal historical grandeur
Anastasia— shares the five-syllable sweep and the same Eastern European/Byzantine heritage
Arabella— shares the long, flowing feminine elegance and the classical beauty

Frequently Asked

What does Alexandria mean?

Alexandria means 'defender of mankind,' from Greek 'alexein' (to defend) and 'andros' (man). It is the feminine form of Alexander and the name of the famous ancient Egyptian city.

How do you pronounce Alexandria?

Alexandria is pronounced al-eg-ZAN-dree-uh /ˌæl.ɪɡˈzæn.dri.ə/ — five syllables with stress on the third.

What is the Library of Alexandria?

The Library of Alexandria was the greatest repository of knowledge in the ancient world, founded in the 3rd century BC in the city of Alexandria, Egypt. It housed hundreds of thousands of scrolls.

Is Alexandria a popular girls' name?

Yes. Alexandria has been in the U.S. top 200 girls' names and is valued for its sweeping grandeur, historical depth, and the many nickname options it offers.