Riley vs Alex

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Alex

Boy #205 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"defender of men"

Origin: Greek

Cultural Roots

English Greek Spanish Russian French

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#205
Total SSA Count
1,722
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Alex →

Popularity Comparison

Riley Rank #229
Alex Rank #205

Alex is more popular, ranked #205 vs #229 for Riley.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Riley or Alex more popular?

Alex is more popular, ranked #205 compared to Riley at #229 in the United States.

What do Riley and Alex mean?

Riley means "courageous, valiant" (Irish origin). Alex means "defender of men" (Greek origin).

Are Riley and Alex boy or girl names?

Riley is primarily a boy name. Alex is primarily a boy name.

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