"defender of men"
Origin: Greek alexein and aner
Language: Greek
Alexander
Pronunciation: [ al-uhgz-AND-er ]
Boy Name
#27 Most Popular
Steady
4 Syllables
The name of history's greatest conqueror
Greek
English
Russian
Scottish
German
Classic
Royal
Strong
Sophisticated
Traditional
Meaning & Origin
"defender of men"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
"protector of humanity"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
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.
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
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
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
Common Nicknames
Alex
Xander
Alec
Al
Lex
Sasha
Pairs Well With
Alexander James
Alexander William
Alexander John
Alexander Thomas
Alexander Henry
Alexander Charles
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Alexander is also used as a girl name, ranked #11646.
View Alexander as a girl name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Alexander
What does the name Alexander mean?
"defender of men" (from Greek alexein and aner). "defender of men" (from Greek). "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 alexein and aner, Greek, English, Russian, Scottish, and German origins. In Greek alexein and aner, it means "defender of men". In Greek, 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, Al, 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.
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 alexein and aner .
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.