Alexander
“defender of the people”
Greece origin · Boy name
#22US 2023
7.9kBirths / yr
→Stable
699.1kAll-time births
📅 Since 1880🏆 72 years in top 1000.92% of births at peak
How to pronounce Alexander
al·ugz·AND·er
/ˌæl.əɡz.ˈænd.ɝ/ · stress on AND · 4 syllables
“defender of the people”
Greece origin · Boy name
What does Alexander mean and where does it come from?
Typically a male name, Alexander has increasingly been adopted as a unisex name, including for females. It originates from the Greek name 'Alexandros', meaning 'defender of the people'. It carries historical significance due to Alexander the Great, a notable conqueror from antiquity. The name is wid
Cultural significance
Alexander has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Greece-speaking communities, where it reflects values of defender of the people.
Peak popularity
Reached #4 in 2009 — currently #22 in the US.
What middle names flow best with Alexander?
Alexander works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful
Alexander Grace
Most popular combo · classic
Alexander Rose
Floral · soft ending
Alexander Mae
Sweet · timeless
Alexander Claire
French influence · crisp
Alexander Jane
Literary · strong
Alexander Skye
Modern · airy feel
How popular is Alexander right now?
Holding steady — currently #22 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
Name Popularity Timeline
Popularity Statistics for Alexander
2010Rank #6
19,446
#98
↗Rising
1900 - 202328 years
The story of Alexander
Alexander has been a beloved American name for over 144 years, first appearing in Social Security records in 1880. It peaked at #4 in 2009, placing it among the top 10 most popular names. Over 699K babies have been given this name — a true American classic. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #73 in 1880 to #22 in 2023. Alexander is used for both genders: 1% female and 99% male.
Names that peaked alongside Alexander in 2009:
Alexander by decade
Alexander peaked in the 2000s. See all 2000s names →
| Decade | Births | |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 2,081 | |
| 1890s | 1,954 | |
| 1900s | 2,235 | |
| 1910s | 11,403 | |
| 1920s | 12,593 | |
| 1930s | 7,123 | |
| 1940s | 9,498 | |
| 1950s | 12,222 | |
| 1960s | 14,297 | |
| 1970s | 25,255 | |
| 1980s | 83,523 | |
| 1990s ★ | 185,368 | |
| 2000s | 179,360 | |
| 2010s | 142,012 | |
| 2020s | 10,160 |
What are good nicknames for Alexander?
ALBANIAN
Skender
BULGARIAN
Sasho
CATALAN
Àlex
CROATIAN
SandiSaša
Famous people named Alexander
At
Alexander the Great
Macedonian king who created one of history's largest empires, spreading Greek culture across three continents
AH
Alexander Hamilton
Founding Father of the United States, first Secretary of the Treasury, and subject of the hit Broadway musical
AG
Alexander Graham Bell
Scottish-American inventor credited with patenting the first practical telephone
AM
Alexander McQueen
British fashion designer known for his theatrical presentations and dark romantic aesthetic
AP
Alexander Pushkin
The father of Russian literature whose works including Eugene Onegin define the Russian literary canon
What names sound and feel like Alexander?
Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Alexander also consider these
How is Alexander written in other languages?
Aleksander
ALBANIAN
Alexander
ANCIENT GREEK
Iskandar
ARABIC
Aleksandr
ARMENIAN
Alesander
BASQUE
Aliaksandr
BELARUSIAN
Αλεξανδρος
Ancient Greek
What are the girl versions of Alexander?
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 Alexander
What does the name Alexander mean?
Alexander means "defender of the people" — a name rooted in Greece 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 Alexander?
Alexander is currently ranked #22 in the United States 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 Alexander?
Alexander originates from Greece tradition. Greece 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 Alexander?
Alexander is a four-syllable name pronounced AE2 L AH0 G Z AE1 N D ER0. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.
What sibling names go well with Alexander?
Alexander pairs beautifully with sibling names that share a similar Greece heritage or complement its melodic and flowing sound. Names with a similar vibe create a cohesive sibling set without matching too closely.
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