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Alex

♀ Girl

Pronounced AL-ihks /ˈæl.ɪks/Medium

Meaning: Defending menMedium

In 30 seconds: Alex means 'defending men', the brisk short form of the Alexander family used here for a girl.
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Origin MediumEnglish, Dutch, German
MeaningDefending men
U.S. rank (2024)#2166 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births87 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1995
Total births (all-time)≈ 9,749

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199519152024

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

History & Origin

Alex carries the meaning 'defending men', drawn from the same Greek roots behind Alexander and Alexandra. Used on its own for a girl, it keeps that protective sense in a single, easygoing syllable. It connects naturally to Alexa, Alexina, and casual forms like Al, Alec, and Ali.

Short and unfussy, Alex moves easily between formal and friendly use, and its listed relatives, Alexa, Alexina, Ali, fan out into longer or softer versions of the same root.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Alex is 'defending men', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name - Alex — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

AlAlecAlexaAlexinaAli

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • ★Alex Wojciechowicz (1915-1992)
    American Hall of Fame football player who played center and linebacker for the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles.
  • ★Alex Delvecchio (1931-2024)
    Canadian Hall of Fame ice hockey center who played his entire career with the Detroit Red Wings.

If you like Alex…

Alexa— A listed variation lengthening Alex while keeping the 'defending men' root.
Alexandra— The complete feminine form Alex shortens, sharing the protective meaning.

Frequently Asked

What does the name Alex mean?

Alex is usually explained as meaning 'defending men' and is most often linked with English tradition.

How do you pronounce Alex?

It's commonly said AL-ihks /ˈæl.ɪks/.

Is Alex a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Alex is used as a girl name.

How popular is Alex?

In 2024, Alex ranked #2166 in the U.S. for girls, with 87 births recorded.