"defender of men"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
Alexander
Pronunciation: [ al-uhgz-AND-er ]
Does Alexander flow with your last name?
The name of history's greatest conqueror
Greek
English
Russian
Scottish
German
Classic
Royal
Strong
Sophisticated
Traditional
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Alexander
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Alexander
6 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"defender of men"
Origin: Greek alexein and aner
Language: Greek
"protector of humanity"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Alexander
See all →What the Alexander report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Alexander the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Alexander
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Alexander head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Alexander actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Alexander
Alexander comes from the ancient Greek Alexandros, composed of 'alexein' (to defend, protect) and 'aner' (man) — meaning 'defender of men.' The name rose to world prominence through Alexander the Great of Macedon, who in the 4th century BC created one of the largest empires in ancient history, spreading Greek culture from Greece to northwestern India.
Alexander has never left the top 20 in the United States, maintaining its position across generations due to its prestigious history and wealth of usable nicknames. It remains a go-to choice for parents who want a strong, timeless name with royal associations.
Alexander the Great's conquests spread Hellenistic culture across the ancient world, and the name has been borne by emperors, tsars, kings, and popes throughout history. In Russia, Alexander is one of the most popular names, with the Romanov dynasty featuring multiple Tsar Alexanders.
Historical Record
Alexander first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 682,089 babies have been named Alexander in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Alexander is past its peak , currently ranked #27 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Alexander the Great was undefeated in battle and had conquered most of the known world by age 30
- The name has been borne by 3 Russian tsars, 8 Byzantine emperors, and 3 popes
Alexander in Other Languages
Arabic
Iskandar
French
Alexandre
Italian
Alessandro
Russian
Aleksandr
Spanish
Alejandro
Popularity Over Time
#27
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 2009
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Alexander
A
Alexander McQueen
Artist
1969
Legendary British fashion designer known for theatrical and visionary runway shows
A
Alexander Fleming
Scientist
1881
Scottish bacteriologist who discovered penicillin
A
Alexander Graham Bell
Scientist
1847
Scottish-American inventor credited with the telephone
A
Alexander Hamilton
Politician
1755
American Founding Father and first US Secretary of the Treasury, subject of the hit Broadway musical
A
Alexander the Great
Military
King of Macedon (356-323 BC) who created one of the largest empires in ancient history, undefeated in battle
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Jason
Boy
"healer, to heal"
#148
Malachi
Boy
"my messenger, my angel"
#149
Cole
Boy
"coal, swarthy"
#162
Aaron
Boy
"high, elevated"
#79
Isaac
Boy
"From the Hebrew 'Yitzhak'; the biblical patriarch Is..."
#40
Compare Alexander with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #27
- Total SSA Count
- 7,517
- Cultural Origins
- Greek English Russian Scottish German
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Alex
Xander
Alec
Al
Lex
Sasha
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Classic pairing, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Alexander
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Alexander fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Alexander is also used as a girl name, ranked #11646.
View Alexander as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Alexander →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Alexander with...
Same Origin Names (Greek)
See all Greek names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Alexander
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Alexander and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Alexander sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Jason
Boy
Greek Iason origin
"healer, to heal"
#148 in US
Malachi
Boy
Hebrew mal'akhiy origin
"my messenger, my angel"
#149 in US
Cole
Boy
Old English origin
"coal, swarthy"
#162 in US
Aaron
Boy
Ancient Egyptian origin
"high, elevated"
#79 in US
Isaac
Boy
Biblical origin
"From the Hebrew 'Yitzhak'; the biblic..."
#40 in US
Cameron
Boy
Scottish Gaelic origin
"crooked nose"
#66 in US
Gabriel
Boy
Biblical origin
"From Hebrew 'Gavriel'; the archangel ..."
#43 in US
Harrison
Boy
Germanic via English origin
"son of the home ruler"
#121 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Alexander's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Alexander
What does the name Alexander mean?
"defender of men" (from Greek). "defender of men" (from Greek alexein and aner). "protector of humanity" (from Greek). Alexander comes from the ancient Greek Alexandros, composed of 'alexein' (to defend, protect) and 'aner' (man) — meaning 'defender of men.' The name rose to world prominence through Alexander the Great of Macedon, who in the 4th century BC created one of the largest empires in ancient history, spreading Greek culture from Greece to northwestern India.
What is the origin of the name Alexander?
Alexander has Greek, Greek alexein and aner, English, Russian, Scottish, and German origins. In Greek, it means "defender of men". In Greek alexein and aner, it means "defender of men". In Greek, it means "protector of humanity".
Is Alexander a boy or girl name?
Alexander is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #27. As a girl name, it is ranked #11646. Alexander is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Alexander?
Alexander is pronounced al-uhgz-AND-er.
How popular is the name Alexander?
Alexander is currently ranked #27 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Alexander?
Common nicknames for Alexander include Alex, Xander, Alec, Lex, and Sasha.
What are good middle names for Alexander?
Popular middle name pairings include Alexander James, Alexander William, Alexander John, Alexander Thomas, Alexander Henry, and Alexander Charles.
What are good sibling names for Alexander?
Names that pair well with Alexander as siblings include Charlotte, Victoria, William, Sophia, Edward, and Eleanor.
How many syllables does Alexander have?
Alexander has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Alexander a common or rare name?
Alexander is a very popular name, ranked #27 among boy names in the United States.
What boy names are similar to Alexander?
Are there other spellings for Alexander?
About the Name Alexander
Alexander is a boy name with Greek, English, Russian, Scottish, and German origins . The name means "defender of men" in Greek .
Is Alexander a boy or girl name? Alexander is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #27 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #11,646. Alexander is more commonly used as a boy name.
Alexander is currently ranked #27 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Alexander has 4 syllables and is pronounced al-uhgz-AND-er, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Alexander include Alex, Xander, Alec, Al, Lex, and Sasha. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Alexander include Alex, Alexis, Alexande, Alexzander, Alexandre . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Greek Names
Browse all names with this origin
A
Names Starting with A
More boy names like Alexander
Classic Names
Well-known names that stand the test of time
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis