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Alexis

♂ Boy

Pronounced ah-LEK-sis /əˈlɛksɪs/High

Meaning: From Greek Alexis, derived from the verb alexein meaning 'to defend' or 'to help'; a name of ancient Greek and Byzantine tradition, borne by saints and emperorsHigh

In 30 seconds: Alexis is a Greek name meaning 'defender' with deep roots in Byzantine and Russian imperial tradition. Used for boys in its original Greek form, it crosses gender lines in the United States.
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Origin HighGreek
MeaningFrom Greek Alexis, derived from the verb alexein meaning 'to defend' or 'to help'; a name of ancient Greek and Byzantine tradition, borne by saints and emperors
U.S. rank (2025)#513 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births584 boys (0.03% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2004
Total births (all-time)≈ 68,069

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200418822025

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

History & Origin

Alexis comes from the Greek alexein (to defend, to help), making it a close relative of Alexander. It was a common name in the Byzantine Empire — Alexios I Komnenos was one of Byzantium's greatest emperors, whose daughter Anna Komnene wrote the Alexiad, one of the first historical works authored by a woman.

In the United States, Alexis was used almost exclusively for boys through most of the 20th century. From the 1980s onward, it shifted dramatically to girls' use, driven partly by the character Alexis Carrington in the TV series Dynasty. This entry covers the male usage, which remains consistent in Greek, Russian, and Latino communities.

Did you know? Alexis Romanov, the only son of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, suffered from hemophilia — his illness profoundly shaped the final years of the Romanov dynasty and is considered a contributing factor to the Russian Revolution.
Overall data confidence 93%
Behind the Name — Alexis — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

AlexAlexeiAlekseiAlexi

Nicknames

AlexLex

Famous Bearers

  • ★Alexios I Komnenos (1048–1118)
    Byzantine Emperor and subject of the Alexiad, written by his daughter Anna Komnene.
  • ★Alexis Romanov (1904–1918)
    Russian Tsarevich and son of Nicholas II, whose hemophilia affected Romanov family history.

If you like Alexis…

Alexander— the longer Greek name sharing the same alexein (defend) root
Alexei— the Russian form of the same Greek name, common in Slavic countries
Felix— another three-syllable classical name with similar vowel-rich sound
Maximus— Latin classical boys' name of comparable stature and heritage

Frequently Asked

What does the name Alexis mean?

Alexis comes from Greek alexein meaning 'to defend' or 'to help' — a name borne by Byzantine emperors and Russian royalty.

How do you pronounce Alexis?

It is said ah-LEK-sis — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Alexis a boy or girl name?

Alexis is historically a boys' name in Greek, Byzantine, and Russian tradition. In the U.S. it is now used more often for girls, though it remains in steady use for boys.

How popular is Alexis as a boys' name?

Alexis for boys charts consistently in the U.S., particularly in Latino and Greek communities, though it ranks much higher for girls.