Ryan vs Alexander

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Ryan

Boy #87 Most Popular 2 Syllables

"little king"

Origin: Irish Gaelic (O'Riain)

Irish English American

✓ All Clear

Boy #27 Most Popular 4 Syllables

"defender of men"

Origin: Greek alexein and aner

Greek English Russian Scottish German

✓ All Clear

Ryan Rank #87

Alexander Rank #27

Alexander is more popular, ranked #27 vs #87 for Ryan.

Is Ryan or Alexander more popular?

Alexander is more popular, ranked #27 compared to Ryan at #87 in the United States.

What do Ryan and Alexander mean?

Ryan means "little king" (Irish Gaelic (O'Riain) origin). Alexander means "defender of men" (Greek alexein and aner origin).

Are Ryan and Alexander boy or girl names?

Ryan is primarily a boy name. Alexander is primarily a boy name.