"defender, protector"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
Alexis
Pronunciation: [ uhl-EHKS-ihs ]
Boy Name
#485 Most Popular
Steady
3 Syllables
A Greek defender's name with ancient royal lineage
Greek
Russian
American
French
Spanish
Elegant
Strong
Classic
Bold
Sophisticated
Meaning & Origin
"helper, one who helps"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Things to Know About This Name
- In the US, Alexis is now primarily used as a girls' name — boys named Alexis may face confusion from peers unfamiliar with the name's masculine tradition
The Story of Alexis
Alexis derives from the Greek verb 'alexein' (to defend, to protect, to help) — the same root as Alexander. In ancient Greece, Alexis was primarily a masculine name borne by poets and philosophers. In the Eastern Orthodox tradition and throughout Russia and Eastern Europe, Alexis (Aleksei) remains a respected masculine name. In the United States, Alexis underwent a dramatic gender shift in the 1980s, becoming predominantly female after the character Alexis Carrington on Dynasty.
In the US, Alexis crossed from male to female use significantly in the early 1980s due to Joan Collins' iconic portrayal of Alexis Carrington on Dynasty (1981-1989). By 2000, Alexis was used almost exclusively for girls in American culture. For boys, the name retains a strong Slavic, Greek, and French tradition.
Tsar Alexis I of Russia (1629-1676) was one of the longest-ruling Romanov tsars and the father of Peter the Great. In the Orthodox Church, Saint Alexis of Rome is venerated as the patron saint of beggars and pilgrims. The name carries deep Orthodox Christian heritage spanning over a millennium.
Fun Facts
- In Greece and Russia, Alexis/Alexei is still firmly a masculine name — the gender shift only happened in American culture
- Tsar Alexis I of Russia was Peter the Great's father — connecting the name to Russia's most transformative era
- The name Alexis peaked for US girls at #9 in 2000, driven largely by Dynasty's influence from a decade earlier
Alexis in Other Languages
Greek
Αλέξης
Latin
Alexius
French
Alexis
Russian
Алексей (Alexei)
Spanish
Alexis
Famous People Named Alexis
A
Alexis Ohanian
Business
1983
American internet entrepreneur and co-founder of Reddit, husband of Serena Williams
A
Alexei Navalny
Activist
1976
Russian opposition leader and anti-corruption activist who became a symbol of resistance to authoritarianism
A
Alexis Carrington Fictional
Other
Iconic villain of the TV series Dynasty (1981-1989), played by Joan Collins — widely credited for this name's US gender ...
Iconic villain of the TV series Dynasty (1981-1989), played by Joan Collins — widely credited for this name's US gender shift
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #485
- Total SSA Count
- 636
- Cultural Origins
- Greek Russian American French Spanish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Alex
Lex
Pairs Well With
Alexis James
Alexis Marcus
Alexis William
Alexis Demetrius
Alexis Constantine
Alexis Rafael
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Alexis is also used as a girl name, ranked #508.
View Alexis as a girl name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Alexis
What does the name Alexis mean?
"defender, protector" (from Greek). "helper, one who helps" (from Greek). Alexis derives from the Greek verb 'alexein' (to defend, to protect, to help) — the same root as Alexander. In ancient Greece, Alexis was primarily a masculine name borne by poets and philosophers. In the Eastern Orthodox tradition and throughout Russia and Eastern Europe, Alexis (Aleksei) remains a respected masculine name. In the United States, Alexis underwent a dramatic gender shift in the 1980s, becoming predominantly female after the character Alexis Carrington on Dynasty.
What is the origin of the name Alexis?
Alexis has Greek, Russian, American, French, and Spanish origins. In Greek, it means "defender, protector". In Greek, it means "helper, one who helps".
Is Alexis a boy or girl name?
Alexis is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #485. As a girl name, it is ranked #508. Alexis is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Alexis?
Alexis is pronounced uhl-EHKS-ihs.
How popular is the name Alexis?
Alexis is currently ranked #485 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Alexis?
Common nicknames for Alexis include Alex and Lex.
What are good middle names for Alexis?
Popular middle name pairings include Alexis James, Alexis Marcus, Alexis William, Alexis Demetrius, Alexis Constantine, and Alexis Rafael.
What are good sibling names for Alexis?
Names that pair well with Alexis as siblings include Demetria, Nikolai, Anastasia, Mikhail, Nadia, Dimitri, and Zoe.
How many syllables does Alexis have?
Alexis has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Alexis a common or rare name?
Alexis is a popular name, ranked #485 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Alexis
Alexis is a boy name with Greek, Russian, American, French, and Spanish origins . The name means "defender, protector" in Greek .
Is Alexis a boy or girl name? Alexis is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #485 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #508. Alexis is more commonly used as a boy name.
Alexis is currently ranked #485 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Alexis has 3 syllables and is pronounced uhl-EHKS-ihs, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Alexis include Alex and Lex. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Alexis include Alexander, Alex, Alexande, Alexzander, Alexandre . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.