Alec
“defender of the people”
Scotland origin · Unisex name
#780US 2023
1.4kBirths / yr
→Stable
53.9kAll-time births
📅 Since 198400
How to pronounce Alec
AL·ik
/ˈæl.ɪk/ · stress on AL · 2 syllables
“defender of the people”
Scotland origin · Unisex name
What does Alec mean and where does it come from?
Alec is traditionally a masculine name, a diminutive form of Alexander, originating from the Scottish variants. Alexander has Greek roots meaning 'defender of the people' or 'protector.' Although Alec is commonly used for males, there may be occurrences where it is used as a female name in more mode
Cultural significance
Alec has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Scotland-speaking communities, where it reflects values of scottish.
Peak popularity
Reached #3092 in 1995 — currently #780 in the US.
What middle names flow best with Alec?
Alec works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful
Alec Grace
Most popular combo · classic
Alec Rose
Floral · soft ending
Alec Mae
Sweet · timeless
Alec Claire
French influence · crisp
Alec Jane
Literary · strong
Alec Skye
Modern · airy feel
How popular is Alec right now?
Holding steady — currently #780 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
The story of Alec
Alec is a relatively modern name, first appearing in US records in 1984. A total of 53,938 babies have received this name. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #8351 in 1985 to #780 in 2023. Alec is used for both genders: 1% female and 99% male.
Names that peaked alongside Alec in 1995:
Alec by decade
| Decade | Births | |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 66 | |
| 1890s | 61 | |
| 1900s | 104 | |
| 1910s | 419 | |
| 1920s | 513 | |
| 1930s | 299 | |
| 1940s | 443 | |
| 1950s | 654 | |
| 1960s | 977 | |
| 1970s | 902 | |
| 1980s | 3,064 | |
| 1990s ★ | 26,120 | |
| 2000s | 13,779 | |
| 2010s | 6,068 | |
| 2020s | 469 |
What are good nicknames for Alec?
HUNGARIAN
Sanyi
ANCIENT GREEK
Alexandra
BULGARIAN
AleksandraAleksandrinaSashka
CROATIAN
AleksandraSandaSandraSaša
What names sound and feel like Alec?
Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Alec also consider these
How is Alec written in other languages?
Gender variants of Alec
Alexandra ANCIENT GREEKAleksandra BULGARIANAleksandrina BULGARIANSashka BULGARIANAleksandra CROATIANSanda CROATIANSandra CROATIANSaša CROATIANAlexandra CZECHAlexandra DANISHSandra DANISHAlex DUTCHAlexandra DUTCHSandra DUTCHXandra DUTCHAlex ENGLISHAlexa ENGLISHAlexandra ENGLISHAlexandrea ENGLISHAlexandria ENGLISHAlexandrina ENGLISHAlexina ENGLISHAli ENGLISHAllie ENGLISHAlly ENGLISHAlyx ENGLISHLexa ENGLISHLexi ENGLISHLexie ENGLISHLexine ENGLISHLexy ENGLISHSandie ENGLISHSandra ENGLISHSandy ENGLISHSasha ENGLISHSondra ENGLISHZandra ENGLISHAleksandra ESTONIANAlexandra FRENCHAlexandrie FRENCHAlexandrine FRENCHSacha FRENCHSandra FRENCHSandrine FRENCHSasha FRENCHAlexa GERMANAlexandra GERMANSandra GERMANSascha GERMANAlexandra GREEK MYTHOLOGYAlexandra GREEKAlexa HUNGARIANAlexandra HUNGARIANSzandra HUNGARIANAlexandra ICELANDICSandra ICELANDICAlastríona IRISHAlessa ITALIANAlessandra ITALIANAlexandra ITALIANSandra ITALIANSandra LATVIANSandra LITHUANIANAleksandra MACEDONIANSandra MACEDONIANSashka MACEDONIANAlexandra NORWEGIANSandra NORWEGIANAleksandra POLISHOla POLISHSandra POLISHAlexandra PORTUGUESEAlexandrina PORTUGUESESandra PORTUGUESEAlexandra ROMANIANSanda ROMANIANSandra ROMANIANAleksandra RUSSIANAleksandrina RUSSIANAlexandra RUSSIANSanya RUSSIANSasha RUSSIANShura RUSSIANSaundra SCOTTISHAleksandra SERBIANSandra SERBIANSaša SERBIANAlexandra SLOVAKAleksandra SLOVENESandra SLOVENESaša SLOVENEAle SPANISHAlejandra SPANISHAlexandra SPANISHSandra SPANISHAlexandra SWEDISHSandra SWEDISHSassa SWEDISHAleksandra UKRAINIANAlexandra UKRAINIANLesya UKRAINIANOleksandra UKRAINIANSasha UKRAINIAN
Common questions about the name Alec
What does the name Alec mean?
Alec means "Scottish" — a name rooted in Scotland tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.
How popular is the name Alec?
Alec is currently ranked #780 as a baby name in the US and is holding steady in popularity, a reliable classic that parents consistently choose.
What is the cultural origin of Alec?
Alec originates from Scotland tradition. Scotland names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.
How do you pronounce the name Alec?
Alec is a two-syllable name pronounced AE1 L IH0 K. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.
Is Alec more of a girl or boy name?
Alec is a genuinely unisex name used for both boys and girls. The unisex quality makes it particularly versatile for modern families.
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