Alex Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Alex Name Meaning

Fact: There is an asteroid named 3367 Alex, discovered in 1983 by astronomer Edward Bowell​

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A Deep Dive

Alex Overview

Meaning

Defender of the people

Gender

Boy

Origin

Greek

Etymology

Derived from the Greek name “Alexandros,” meaning “defender of the people.” The name has evolved over time from ancient Greek to modern usage in various forms across cultures.

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈæl.ɪks/

Popularity

Alex is well-liked globally, appearing frequently in countries like Germany, France, and Spain. For boys in the USA, it held a spot in the top 200 names in 2023.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

4 letters

Numerology

6 (Nurturing, Responsible, Balanced)

Name Styles

Popular, Short, Classic

Associated Traits

Friendly, adaptable, creative, reliable

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Alex is associated with Saint Alexander, a prominent early Christian bishop and martyr. The name is also linked to various historical and cultural figures.February 26th (Saint Alexander)

Name Day

A Deep Dive

Alex Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Alexander, Alexandra, Alexis, Alexa, Alexandria, Alexei, Alexia, Alessandro, Alexandre, Alexandros

Common Nicknames

Lexi, Aly, Sasha, Xan, Lexa, Xander, Andy, Sandy, Sander

Diminutives

Al, Lexy, Sash, Ali, Alec, Lexie, Xan, Lex

Famous People

  • Alexander the Great
    (Ancient Macedonian Conqueror)
  • Alexander Hamilton
    (American Founding Father)
  • Alex Trebek
    (Canadian-American Game Show Host)
  • Alex Ferguson
    (Scottish Football Manager)
  • Alex Ovechkin
    (Russian Hockey Player)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Alex Dunphy
    ("Modern Family," TV Series)
  • Alex Russo
    ("Wizards of Waverly Place," TV Series)
  • Alex Rider
    ("Stormbreaker," Film)
  • Alex Forrest
    ("Fatal Attraction," Film)

Places

  • Alex City
    (Alabama, USA)
  • Alex Farm
    (Ontario, Canada)

What Is the Meaning of Alex?

Alex means “defender of the people” and often infuses qualities of strength and protection. It suggests someone who stands up for others and faces challenges head-on.

What Is the Origin of The Name Alex?

The name Alex has Greek origins, derived from the name Alexandros. It has a rich history, tracing back to ancient Greece and Alexander the Great, and has since become a widely used name in many cultures around the world.

Alex Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Alex in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#1922021#1902022#2022023
Top 3 Rankings#471995#501994#521993

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Alex

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023202
(-12 from 2022)
1806
(-195 from 2022)
0.09863
2022190
(+2 from 2021)
2001
(+37 from 2021)
0.10684
2021192
(-9 from 2020)
1964
(-154 from 2020)
0.10482
2020183
(-18 from 2019)
2118
(-280 from 2019)
0.11451
2019165
(-12 from 2018)
2398
(-127 from 2018)
0.12478
2018153
(-2 from 2017)
2525
(-76 from 2017)
0.12990
2017151
(-5 from 2016)
2601
(-251 from 2016)
0.13142
2016146
(-12 from 2015)
2852
(-258 from 2015)
0.14080
2015134
(-6 from 2014)
3110
(-78 from 2014)
0.15212
2014128
(-18 from 2013)
3188
(-369 from 2013)
0.15557
2013110
(-12 from 2012)
3557
(-310 from 2012)
0.17603
201298
(-3 from 2011)
3867
(-173 from 2011)
0.19057
201195
(-2 from 2010)
4040
(-399 from 2010)
0.19888
201093
(-10 from 2009)
4439
(-732 from 2009)
0.21607
200983
(+1 from 2008)
5171
(-228 from 2008)
0.24381
200884
(-12 from 2007)
5399
(-876 from 2007)
0.24761
200772
(-5 from 2006)
6275
(-395 from 2006)
0.28329
200667
(+4 from 2005)
6670
(+183 from 2005)
0.30424
200571
(-8 from 2004)
6487
(-324 from 2004)
0.30493
200463
(-1 from 2003)
6811
(+17 from 2003)
0.32228
200362
(+1 from 2002)
6794
(-12 from 2002)
0.32334
200263
(-1 from 2001)
6806
(+192 from 2001)
0.32932
200162
No change from 2000
6614
(-134 from 2000)
0.31976
200062
(-4 from 1999)
6748
(-79 from 1999)
0.32313
199958
(-2 from 1998)
6827
(-126 from 1998)
0.33482
199856
(-1 from 1997)
6953
(+99 from 1997)
0.34291
199755
(-2 from 1996)
6854
(-61 from 1996)
0.34308
199653
(-6 from 1995)
6915
(-509 from 1995)
0.34511
199547
(+3 from 1994)
7424
(+184 from 1994)
0.36910
199450
(+2 from 1993)
7240
(-400 from 1993)
0.35519
199352
(+2 from 1992)
7640
(+289 from 1992)
0.36988
199254
(+9 from 1991)
7351
(+677 from 1991)
0.35019
199163
(-4 from 1990)
6674
(-272 from 1990)
0.31486
199059
(+1 from 1989)
6946
(+405 from 1989)
0.32277
198960
(-2 from 1988)
6541
(+133 from 1988)
0.31207
198858
(+2 from 1987)
6408
(+365 from 1987)
0.32004
198760
(+4 from 1986)
6043
(+931 from 1986)
0.30986
198664
(+16 from 1985)
5112
(+1205 from 1985)
0.26602
198580
(+13 from 1984)
3907
(+881 from 1984)
0.20302
198493
(+30 from 1983)
3026
(+871 from 1983)
0.16124
1983123
(+20 from 1982)
2155
(+191 from 1982)
0.11564
1982143
(+5 from 1981)
1964
(+91 from 1981)
0.10407
1981148
(+8 from 1980)
1873
(+194 from 1980)
0.10057
1980156
No change from 1979
1679
(+23 from 1979)
0.09052
1979156
(+8 from 1978)
1656
(+188 from 1978)
0.09245
1978164
(-11 from 1977)
1468
(-142 from 1977)
0.08592
1977153
(+19 from 1976)
1610
(+250 from 1976)
0.09419
1976172
(+3 from 1975)
1360
(+32 from 1975)
0.08330
1975175
(-4 from 1974)
1328
(-59 from 1974)
0.08185
1974171
(+13 from 1973)
1387
(+141 from 1973)
0.08508
1973184
(+12 from 1972)
1246
(+62 from 1972)
0.07722
1972196
(-8 from 1971)
1184
(-180 from 1971)
0.07073
1971188
(+3 from 1970)
1364
(-39 from 1970)
0.07503
1970191
(+16 from 1969)
1403
(+193 from 1969)
0.07366
1969207
(-7 from 1968)
1210
(+45 from 1968)
0.06615
1968200
(+5 from 1967)
1165
(+37 from 1967)
0.06562
1967205
(+13 from 1966)
1128
(+104 from 1966)
0.06339
1966218
(-18 from 1965)
1024
(-221 from 1965)
0.05634
1965200
(+18 from 1964)
1245
(+4 from 1964)
0.06571
1964218
(-3 from 1963)
1241
(-65 from 1963)
0.06122
1963215
(+2 from 1962)
1306
(+40 from 1962)
0.06326
1962217
(+11 from 1961)
1266
(+49 from 1961)
0.06024
1961228
(-2 from 1960)
1217
(-12 from 1960)
0.05642
1960226
(+7 from 1959)
1229
(+66 from 1959)
0.05676
1959233
(+12 from 1958)
1163
(+143 from 1958)
0.05368
1958245
(+8 from 1957)
1020
(+124 from 1957)
0.04733
1957253
No change from 1956
896
(+86 from 1956)
0.04093
1956253
(+10 from 1955)
810
(+98 from 1955)
0.03774
1955263
(-4 from 1954)
712
(-31 from 1954)
0.03406
1954259
(+1 from 1953)
743
(+27 from 1953)
0.03591
1953260
(-2 from 1952)
716
(+16 from 1952)
0.03576
1952258
(-4 from 1951)
700
(+10 from 1951)
0.03547
1951254
(-10 from 1950)
690
(-60 from 1950)
0.03609
1950244
(-2 from 1949)
750
(+21 from 1949)
0.04124
1949242
(-8 from 1948)
729
(-35 from 1948)
0.04046
1948234
(-6 from 1947)
764
(-30 from 1947)
0.04286
1947228
(-3 from 1946)
794
(+88 from 1946)
0.04274
1946225
(-8 from 1945)
706
(+67 from 1945)
0.04278
1945217
(+4 from 1944)
639
(+19 from 1944)
0.04659
1944221
(+1 from 1943)
620
(-40 from 1943)
0.04463
1943222
(-7 from 1942)
660
(-21 from 1942)
0.04537
1942215
(-5 from 1941)
681
(+41 from 1941)
0.04836
1941210
(-2 from 1940)
640
(+20 from 1940)
0.05100
1940208
(-4 from 1939)
620
(+23 from 1939)
0.05227
1939204
(+2 from 1938)
597
(-4 from 1938)
0.05268
1938206
(+5 from 1937)
601
(+37 from 1937)
0.05288
1937211
(-1 from 1936)
564
No change from 1936
0.05157
1936210
(-3 from 1935)
564
(-17 from 1935)
0.05299
1935207
(-9 from 1934)
581
(-42 from 1934)
0.05432
1934198
(-1 from 1933)
623
(+17 from 1933)
0.05867
1933197
(-5 from 1932)
606
(-77 from 1932)
0.05940
1932192
(-10 from 1931)
683
(-44 from 1931)
0.06357
1931182
(-2 from 1930)
727
(-33 from 1930)
0.06796
1930180
No change from 1929
760
(-15 from 1929)
0.06729
1929180
(-1 from 1928)
775
(-24 from 1928)
0.06997
1928179
(-10 from 1927)
799
(-89 from 1927)
0.07002
1927169
(+10 from 1926)
888
(+83 from 1926)
0.07643
1926179
(-14 from 1925)
805
(-98 from 1925)
0.07028
1925165
(-3 from 1924)
903
(-75 from 1924)
0.07842
1924162
(-1 from 1923)
978
(+38 from 1923)
0.08366
1923161
(-6 from 1922)
940
(-63 from 1922)
0.08302
1922155
(-6 from 1921)
1003
(-19 from 1921)
0.08914
1921149
(-7 from 1920)
1022
(-47 from 1920)
0.08981
1920142
(-5 from 1919)
1069
(-13 from 1919)
0.09711
1919137
(-6 from 1918)
1082
(-125 from 1918)
0.10657
1918131
(+1 from 1917)
1207
(+126 from 1917)
0.11510
1917132
(-4 from 1916)
1081
(-13 from 1916)
0.11269
1916128
(+3 from 1915)
1094
(+86 from 1915)
0.11850
1915131
No change from 1914
1008
(+219 from 1914)
0.11443
1914131
(-1 from 1913)
789
(+185 from 1913)
0.11547
1913130
(+5 from 1912)
604
(+122 from 1912)
0.11263
1912135
(-6 from 1911)
482
(+214 from 1911)
0.10677
1911129
(-2 from 1910)
268
(+12 from 1910)
0.11102
1910127
(-4 from 1909)
256
(+29 from 1909)
0.12277
1909123
(+4 from 1908)
227
(+28 from 1908)
0.12835
1908127
No change from 1907
199
(+13 from 1907)
0.11962
1907127
(-5 from 1906)
186
(+10 from 1906)
0.11729
1906122
(+11 from 1905)
176
(+10 from 1905)
0.12217
1905133
(-8 from 1904)
166
(-3 from 1904)
0.11590
1904125
(+10 from 1903)
169
(+31 from 1903)
0.12202
1903135
(-10 from 1902)
138
(-16 from 1902)
0.10671
1902125
(-5 from 1901)
154
(+16 from 1901)
0.11601
1901120
No change from 1900
138
(-54 from 1900)
0.11939
1900120
(+2 from 1899)
192
(+59 from 1899)
0.11843
1899122
(+3 from 1898)
133
(-16 from 1898)
0.11546
1898125
(+3 from 1897)
149
(+19 from 1897)
0.11279
1897128
(-16 from 1896)
130
(-35 from 1896)
0.10661
1896112
(+5 from 1895)
165
(+22 from 1895)
0.12784
1895117
(-5 from 1894)
143
(-9 from 1894)
0.11292
1894112
(+8 from 1893)
152
(+19 from 1893)
0.12171
1893120
(-10 from 1892)
133
(-30 from 1892)
0.10988
1892110
(-1 from 1891)
163
(+30 from 1891)
0.12400
1891109
(+2 from 1890)
133
(-14 from 1890)
0.12172
1890111
(+3 from 1889)
147
(+20 from 1889)
0.12281
1889114
(-12 from 1888)
127
(-40 from 1888)
0.10669
1888102
(+2 from 1887)
167
(+31 from 1887)
0.12855
1887104
(-8 from 1886)
136
(-25 from 1886)
0.12442
188696
(-4 from 1885)
161
(+2 from 1885)
0.13525
188592
(+13 from 1884)
159
(+11 from 1884)
0.13713
1884105
(+3 from 1883)
148
(+28 from 1883)
0.12058
1883108
(-19 from 1882)
120
(-52 from 1882)
0.10669
188289
(+20 from 1881)
172
(+58 from 1881)
0.14095
1881109
(-17 from 1880)
114
(-33 from 1880)
0.10529
188092
First SSA data recorded
147
First SSA data recorded
0.12416

American States Popularity Rankings for Alex

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#1222021#1192022#1172023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#1572021#1702022#1842023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#1702021#1502022#1682023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#2012021#2002022#2142023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#1172021#1442022#1342023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#2222021#2282022#2322023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#2792021#2402022#3332023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#2272021#2332022#3502023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#1692021#1682022#1682023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#1942021#2102022#3292023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#2492021#1952022#1952023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#1962021#1932022#2022023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#1632021#1692022#1542023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#2202021#2382022#2272023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#1782021#1792022#1952023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#2122021#2022022#2922023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#2322021#3202022#2832023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#1992021#1592022#2452023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#3542021#3252022#3362023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#2732021#2252022#3522023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#2022021#2112022#2042023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#2392021#1822022#2572023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#2202021#2242022#2902023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#2852021#1922022#3042023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#2082021#2392022#3102023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#2192021#1762022#1672023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#3412021#2312022#2312023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#2292021#2902022#2062023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#1952021#1692022#2512023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#3162021#3652022#2112023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#2272021#2592022#2812023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#1862021#2512022#2092023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#2772021#3192022#2072023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#2052021#3332022#2572023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#2222021#1842022#2102023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#2552021#3102022#3802023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#1872021#1012022#1262023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#2282018#2032019#2622023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#4102021#2602022#3042023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#1932020#2432022#2442023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1602014#2362019#1012021

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#1702017#2332019#1962020

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1522016#1242017#1872018

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1752017#1482018#1522021

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#1632019#1552020#2162021

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#2432021#1712022#2112023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1402015#1402016#1462017

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1492020#2122021#1742022

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1972017#1282020#882022

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1192011#1292014#1112016

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#902008#1332009#802011

Popularity Rankings for Alex in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Galicia, Spain

Galicia, Spain flagGalicia, Spain#172020#102021#152022

Popularity in Slovakia

Slovakia flagSlovakia#122021#122022#142023

Popularity in Spain

Spain flagSpain#202020#192021#202022

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#212021#242022#272023

Popularity in Basque Country, Spain

Basque Country, Spain flagBasque Country, Spain#332020#232021#292022

Popularity in Hungary

Hungary flagHungary#402021#312022#332023

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#382016#552017#482018

Popularity in Finland

Finland flagFinland#422010

Popularity in Italy

Italy flagItaly#492001#462002#482003

Popularity in Czechia

Czechia flagCzechia#842014#742015#682016

Popularity in Uruguay

Uruguay flagUruguay#732020#1102021

Popularity in Iceland

Iceland flagIceland#752021#1642022#752023

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium flagBelgium#762020#1042021#1022022

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#792021#772022#1132023

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#822021#1602022#982023

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#822012#1542022#1942023

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#872021#852022#832023

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#882019#1182020#1102021

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#902011#902012#902013

Popularity in Portugal

Portugal flagPortugal#952012

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#1022020#1242021#1482022

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#1062019#1082020#1222021

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#1062020#1232021#1482022

Popularity in Argentina

Argentina flagArgentina#1072013#1352014#1582015

Popularity in Greenland

Greenland flagGreenland#1152019#1222020#1402021

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#1432021#1212022#1682023

Popularity in Russia (Moscow)

Russia (Moscow) flagRussia (Moscow)#1502017#1312019#1322020

Popularity in Austria

Austria flagAustria#1422020#1342021#1512022

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#1682021#1502022#1782023

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#1632021#1722022#1812023

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#2222021#1732022#1942023

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#1782015#1812016#1922017

Popularity in Mexico

Mexico flagMexico#1882020#1872021

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#2202021#2122022#3832023

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Alex a Name for Boys or Girls?

Alex is a unisex name, suitable for both boys and girls. Its versatility and neutral sound make it a favorite for parents seeking a gender-neutral option.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Alex