"defender, helper"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
Alexis
Pronunciation: [ uhl-EHKS-ihs ]
Does Alexis flow with your last name?
A defender's name that conquered charts
Greek
American
Spanish
French
Classic
Strong
Modern
Bold
Elegant
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Alexis
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Alexis
3 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Alexis
See all →What the Alexis report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Alexis 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 Alexis
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Alexis head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Alexis 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
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.
Historical Record
Alexis first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 342,649 babies have been named Alexis in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Alexis is past its peak , currently ranked #508 for girl names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#508
Current Rank
Falling
Trend
Peaked 1999
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Haisley
Girl
"modern blended name form"
#444
Alyssa
Girl
"of noble kind"
#399
Opal
Girl
"precious stone"
#449
Lana
Girl
"little one, darling"
#374
Miranda
Girl
"worthy of admiration, she who must be admired"
#622
Compare Alexis with:
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
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, French heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Alexis
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Alexis fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Boy Name
Alexis is also used as a boy name, ranked #485.
View Alexis as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Alexis →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 Alexis with...
Same Origin Names (Greek)
See all Greek names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Alexis
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Alexis and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Alexis 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 →
Haisley
Girl
American English origin
"modern blended name form"
#444 in US
Alyssa
Girl
Old French origin
"of noble kind"
#399 in US
Opal
Girl
Latin origin
"precious stone"
#449 in US
Lana
Girl
Irish origin
"little one, darling"
#374 in US
Miranda
Girl
Latin origin
"worthy of admiration, she who must be..."
#622 in US
Jennifer
Girl
Welsh origin
"white wave, fair one"
#546 in US
Dallas
Girl
Scottish Gaelic origin
"meadow dwelling"
#658 in US
Emerald
Girl
Greek origin
"green gem, the green one"
#707 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Alexis's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
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.
What girl names are similar to Alexis?
Are there other spellings for Alexis?
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.
Keep Exploring
Greek Names
Browse all names with this origin
A
Names Starting with A
More girl names like Alexis
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl 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