Lexi

♀ Girl

Pronounced LEK-see /ˈlɛk.si/High

Meaning: Short form of Alexandra or Alexis, from the Greek alexein ('to defend') + anēr ('man'), meaning 'defender of mankind.'High

In 30 seconds: Lexi is a bright, friendly diminutive of Alexandra or Alexis. It has a bubbly, modern energy that has made it stand alone as a given name, not just a nickname, since the 1990s.

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Origin HighGreek

MeaningShort form of Alexandra or Alexis, from the Greek alexein ('to defend') + anēr ('man'), meaning 'defender of mankind.'

U.S. rank (2025)#628 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births464 girls (0.03% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2014

Total births (all-time)≈ 28,105

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Lexi is a diminutive of Alexandra and Alexis, both derived from the Greek verb alexein ('to defend, to protect') combined with anēr/andros ('man'). The full name Alexandra was the name of queens, empresses, and saints across European history.

As a standalone name, Lexi gained momentum in the United States during the 1990s and 2000s. It fits the broader trend of breezy two-syllable girls' names ending in the -ee sound. It remains popular alongside its longer forms Alexa, Alexis, and Alexandra.

Did you know? Although Lexi began as a nickname for Alexandra, it has been registered as a standalone given name in the U.S. since the 1980s and now consistently outranks some traditional long forms on baby name charts.

Overall data confidence 90%

Behind the Name — Lexi — etymology and variantsU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

LexieLexyAlexi

Nicknames

Lex

Famous Bearers

★Lexi Thompson (1995-)
American professional golfer and LPGA Tour winner
★Lexi Underwood (2003-)
American actress known for Little Fires Everywhere

If you like Lexi…

Alexa— the natural long form sharing the same Greek root and bright feel

Remi— fellow two-syllable, breezy modern girls' name with a nickname vibe

Brielle— shares the sparkly, contemporary feel popular since the 1990s

Cali— similarly short, sunny, and upbeat with a modern American energy

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Lexi mean?

Lexi is a diminutive of Alexandra or Alexis, from Greek meaning 'defender of mankind.'

How do you pronounce Lexi?

Lexi is pronounced LEK-see /ˈlɛk.si/ — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Lexi a boy or girl name?

Lexi is used almost exclusively as a girls' name, though the root Alexis is unisex.

How popular is Lexi?

Lexi has been a U.S. top-300 name since the early 2000s and remains a popular standalone choice as well as a nickname for Alexandra.