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Home › Baby Names Directory › Iskender

Iskender

♂ Boy

Pronounced iss-KEN-der /isˈkɛn.dɛr/Medium

Meaning: Iskender is the Turkish and Persian form of Alexander, which comes from the Greek Alexandros, 'defender of men' (from alexein, 'to defend,' and aner, 'man'). It carries the legend of Alexander the Great across the Islamic world, where he is known as Iskender.Medium

In 30 seconds: Iskender is the Turkish and Persian form of Alexander, meaning defender of men. It is rare in the United States but well known in Turkey (said iss-KEN-der).
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Origin MediumTurkish, Persian
MeaningIskender is the Turkish and Persian form of Alexander, which comes from the Greek Alexandros, 'defender of men' (from alexein, 'to defend,' and aner, 'man'). It carries the legend of Alexander the Great across the Islamic world, where he is known as Iskender.
U.S. rank (2022)#13094 ↘ Falling
2022 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2019
Total births (all-time)≈ 27

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201920192022

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Iskender is how Alexander travels through Turkish and Persian tradition, keeping the Greek meaning 'defender of men' and the towering legend of Alexander the Great, who is remembered as Iskender across the region. In the United States it is a rare, distinctly Turkish choice carried by families of that heritage.

American records show it only recently and faintly, given to about twenty boys a year around 2019. A boy named Iskender then is still very young today.

Did you know? Iskender is also the name of a famous Turkish dish, iskender kebab, said to be named for the nineteenth-century cook who created it, so the name carries both royal and culinary fame in Turkey.
Overall data confidence 50%
References - Iskender — Turkish/Persian form of Alexander (Greek Alexandros 'defender of men'); iskender kebab noted

Variations

AlexanderIskandarSkender

Nicknames

IskoSanderIski

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Iskender…

Alexander— the Greek original Iskender translates
Kerem— a like Turkish boy's name
Emir— a similar strong Turkish name
Iskander— shares the -er ending
Nader— shares the -er ending

Explore names like Iskender

By themerareclassicpersianturkish

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Iskender mean?

It is the Turkish and Persian form of Alexander, meaning 'defender of men.'

How do you pronounce Iskender?

It is said iss-KEN-der /isˈkɛn.dɛr/, three syllables with the stress in the middle.

Is Iskender a boy or girl name?

Iskender is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Iskender?

It has always been rare in the United States, given to only about twenty boys a year around twenty-nineteen, though it is well known in Turkey.

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