"defender, helper"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
Alexis
Pronunciation: [ uhl-EHKS-ihs ]
Girl Name
#508 Most Popular
Peaked
3 Syllables
A defender's name that conquered charts
Greek
American
Spanish
French
Classic
Strong
Modern
Bold
Elegant
Meaning & Origin
Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with Alexis Carrington, the scheming villain in Dynasty
- Also associated with Alexis from Schitt's Creek — shallow party girl character (though her arc is beloved)
- Peaked in late 1990s–2000s and may feel dated for some parents
The Story of Alexis
Alexis derives from the Greek 'alexein,' meaning 'to defend' or 'to help.' Originally a male name in ancient Greece, it became strongly feminine in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s, peaking as a top-10 girl name in the late 1990s. The name's gender ambiguity is reflected in its continued use for boys in some cultures.
Alexis dominated US girl name charts from the mid-1990s through the 2000s, partly fueled by the glamorous villainess Alexis Carrington on the 1980s soap opera Dynasty; it has since declined as those cohorts of Alexis bearers grew up.
In Greek culture, Alexis remains a masculine name; its strong feminine association in America is a US-specific cultural shift that shows how names can gender-flip across regions.
Fun Facts
- Alexis ranked #3 for girls in the US in 1999.
- In France and many European countries, Alexis is still primarily a boy's name.
- Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit, is a notable male bearer of the name.
Alexis in Other Languages
Greek
Αλέξης
French
Alexis
Russian
Алексей (Aleksey, masc.)
Spanish
Alexis
Famous People Named Alexis
A
Alexis Bledel
Actor
1981
American actress known for Gilmore Girls and The Handmaid's Tale
A
Alexis Rose Fictional
Entertainer
Fictional character from the TV series Schitt's Creek, played by Annie Murphy
A
Alexis Carrington Fictional
Other
Iconic fictional villain from the soap opera Dynasty, played by Joan Collins
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #508
- Total SSA Count
- 604
- Cultural Origins
- Greek American Spanish French
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Alex
Lexi
Lex
Pairs Well With
Alexis Grace
Alexis Marie
Alexis Nicole
Alexis Rose
Alexis Lynn
Alexis Faith
Alexis Renee
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Alexis is also used as a boy name, ranked #485.
View Alexis as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Alexis
What does the name Alexis mean?
"defender, helper" (from Greek). Alexis derives from the Greek 'alexein,' meaning 'to defend' or 'to help.' Originally a male name in ancient Greece, it became strongly feminine in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s, peaking as a top-10 girl name in the late 1990s. The name's gender ambiguity is reflected in its continued use for boys in some cultures.
What is the origin of the name Alexis?
Alexis has Greek, American, Spanish, and French origins. In Greek, it means "defender, helper".
Is Alexis a boy or girl name?
Alexis is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #508. As a boy name, it is ranked #485. 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 #508 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Alexis?
Common nicknames for Alexis include Alex, Lexi, and Lex.
What are good middle names for Alexis?
Popular middle name pairings include Alexis Grace, Alexis Marie, Alexis Nicole, Alexis Rose, Alexis Lynn, Alexis Faith, and Alexis Renee.
What are good sibling names for Alexis?
Names that pair well with Alexis as siblings include Tyler, Jordan, Morgan, Brianna, Kayla, Destiny, and Austin.
How many syllables does Alexis have?
Alexis has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Alexis a common or rare name?
Alexis is moderately common, ranked #508 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
About the Name Alexis
Alexis is a girl name with Greek, American, Spanish, and French origins . The name means "defender, helper" in Greek .
Is Alexis a boy or girl name? Alexis is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #508 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #485. Alexis is more commonly used as a boy name.
Alexis is currently ranked #508 in popularity for girl 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, Lexi, and Lex. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Alexis include Alexandra, Alexandria, Alexa, Alexia, Alexandr . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.