N
NamyLab

Alex

female
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Defender"

Alex is a short form of Greek-derived names such as Alexander, broadly associated with the concept of defense and protection.

Themes:greekshortformprotectorcommon
UniqueRareStrongPowerfulBoldUnisexGender-neutral

Fact-checked by Lily Anderson

M.F.A. Creative Writing, Sarah LawrencePublished NovelistName Collection Curator • Creative Names Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Alex

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#2166Ranked in 2024

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
#2166

Alex was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
-184

lower than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Alex Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Alex.

6 ideas
alex
Nickname
al
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aley
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alexy
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alexo
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alexie
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Similar Names to Alex

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Anna

AN-uh

“Grace; Favor”

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Ashley

“Ash Tree Clearing”

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Angela

AN-juh-luh

“Messenger; Angel”

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Ann

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Andrea

“Manly, Courageous”

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Alexis

uh-LEK-sis

“Defender; Helper”

#506
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Alyssa

uh-LIS-uh

“Rational; or Alyssum Flower”

#399
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Audrey

“Noble Strength”

#82
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Alexandra

al-ig-ZAN-druh

“Defender of People”

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Anita

“Grace Favor”

#1463
|Hebrew

Baby Name Lists That Include Alex

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Alex, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

21 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Alex mean?
Alex means "Defender". Alex is a short form of Greek-derived names such as Alexander, broadly associated with the concept of defense and protec
What is the origin of Alex?
Alex is of Greek origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Alex?
According to the latest SSA data, Alex is currently ranked #2166 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Alex a girl name?
Alex is traditionally a girl name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Alex?
Popular nicknames for Alex include alex, al, aley, alexy, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Alex?
There are many names similar to Alex in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginGreek
Syllables2
Length4 letters
US Rank#2166
Trend↓ Falling
Starts withA

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Girl Names Like Alex

Alex has Greek roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Greek baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Alex appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Unique Baby Names and Gender-Neutral Baby Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Classic Greek Baby Names and Names That Mean Fire Warrior for Boys and Girls.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Alex pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Alex beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.