Alex
Alex: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈæl.ɪks/
Meaning and origin of Alex
- A unisex given name from Ancient Greek.
Etymology
Clipping of Alexander, from Ancient Greek Ἀλέξανδρος (Aléxandros) 'he who wards off men', i.e. protector, possibly of Hittite origin. Also from Alexius, from the same Ancient Greek first element, "helping, defending". These two origins of Alex are indistinguishable in most languages. The female name has the same root, a clipping of Alexandra or the female name Alexis, in some cases also a spelling variant of Alix.
How popular is Alex?
Since 1880, 9,822 girls and 286,169 boys in the U.S. have been named Alex (3% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #537 in 1995. Its highest rank for boys was #47 in 1995. In 2025 it ranked #232 for boys, with 1,586 babies given the name.
Names similar to Alex
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Greek boy names
Sibling name ideas for Alex
Sister and brother names that share Alex's Greek roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Alex FAQ
What does the name Alex mean?
A unisex given name from Ancient Greek. Clipping of Alexander, from Ancient Greek Ἀλέξανδρος (Aléxandros) 'he who wards off men', i.e. protector, possibly of Hittite origin. Also from Alexius, from the same Ancient Greek first element, "helping, defending". These two origins of Alex are indistinguishable in most languages. The female name has the same root, a clipping of Alexandra or the female name Alexis, in some cases also a spelling variant of Alix.
What is the origin of the name Alex?
Alex is listed as a name of Greek origin.
How popular is the name Alex?
Since 1880, 9,822 girls and 286,169 boys in the U.S. have been named Alex (3% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #537 in 1995. Its highest rank for boys was #47 in 1995. In 2025 it ranked #232 for boys, with 1,586 babies given the name.
Is Alex a boy or girl name?
Alex is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 9,822 girls and 286,169 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.