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NamyLab

Alexander

male
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Defender of Men"

A Greek compound meaning defender of men, strongly associated with Alexander the Great and long adopted across Christian and secular traditions.

Themes:defendermengreekhistoric
ClassicTraditionalTimelessStrongPowerfulBold

Fact-checked by Dr. Elena Vasquez

Ph.D. Medieval History, StanfordPublished Academic ResearcherHistory Professor (Adjunct) • Historical Names Consultant

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

Popularity History of Alexander

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#27Top 50

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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
#27

Alexander was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
-5

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

Alexander Nicknames

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

10 ideas
Alex
Nickname
Xander
Nickname
Alec
Nickname
Lex
Nickname
Sandy
Nickname
Zander
Nickname
al
Nickname
AL
Nickname
aley
Nickname
alex
Nickname

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Baby Name Lists That Include Alexander

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

27 linked lists

Famous Alexanders

  • A
    Alexander the Great
    Ancient Macedonian king and one of history's greatest military commanders
  • A
    Alexander Hamilton
    American Founding Father and first Secretary of the Treasury
  • A
    Alexander Graham Bell
    Scottish inventor credited with inventing the telephone

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Alexander mean?
Alexander means "Defender of Men". A Greek compound meaning defender of men, strongly associated with Alexander the Great and long adopted across Christian
What is the origin of Alexander?
Alexander 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 Alexander?
According to the latest SSA data, Alexander is currently ranked #27 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 Alexander a boy name?
Alexander is traditionally a boy name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Alexander?
Popular nicknames for Alexander include Alex, Xander, Alec, Lex, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Alexander?
There are many names similar to Alexander in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginGreek, English
Syllables4
Length9 letters
US Rank#27
Trend↓ Falling
Starts withA

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Boy Names Like Alexander

Alexander 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.

Alexander appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Names That Mean Strength and Timeless Classic Baby Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Classic Greek Baby Names and Traditional English Names.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Alexander pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Alexander 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.