Gender: Primarily male
Origin: Greek
Meaning: “Defender of the people” or “protector of mankind”
Pronunciation: al-ig-ZAN-der
Meaning of the Name Alexander
Alexander comes from the Greek name “Alexandros,” combining “alexein” (to defend) and “andros” (man, warrior). It literally translates to “defender of men” or “protector of the people.” This powerful meaning has contributed to its enduring popularity throughout history.
Historical Significance of Alexander
The name Alexander gained enormous prestige thanks to Alexander the Great (356-323 BCE), the Macedonian king who created one of history’s largest empires before his 33rd birthday. His legendary conquests stretched from Greece to India, and his name became synonymous with leadership and military brilliance.
Throughout history, the name has been carried by many notable rulers including several Russian tsars, three Scottish kings, and eight popes. It’s been a name associated with power and authority across various cultures for centuries.
Common Nicknames for Alexander
- Alex
- Al
- Xander
- Zander
- Sandy (traditional Scottish)
- Sasha (common in Russian culture)
- Lex
How Popular Is Alexander?
Alexander has remained consistently popular over the decades. In the United States, it’s rarely fallen out of the top 50 names for boys since record-keeping began. It saw a particularly strong surge in the 1990s and has maintained its position as a classic favorite.
In recent years, Alexander has typically ranked somewhere between #10-20 on the Social Security Administration’s list of popular boys’ names. It’s a name that never feels outdated or too trendy—it has that perfect balance of being recognizable without being overused.
Internationally, Alexander enjoys widespread popularity in various forms across Europe, particularly in Scandinavian countries, Russia, and Greece.
Famous People Named Alexander
- Alexander Graham Bell – Inventor of the telephone
- Alexander Hamilton – Founding Father of the United States
- Alexander Fleming – Scientist who discovered penicillin
- Alexander McQueen – Renowned fashion designer
- Alexander Skarsgård – Actor known for roles in “True Blood” and “Big Little Lies”
- Alex Trebek – Longtime host of the game show “Jeopardy!”
Fictional Characters Named Alexander
- Alexander “Alex” Karev – Character from “Grey’s Anatomy”
- Alexander Pierce – Character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe
- Alexander Mahone – Character from “Prison Break”
- Alexander “Xander” Harris – Character from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”
- Alexander DeLarge – Protagonist of “A Clockwork Orange”
Alexander in Literature and Pop Culture
Alexander appears frequently in literature, film, and popular culture. Beyond the numerous historical accounts of Alexander the Great, the name has made its mark across various media:
In literature, “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” is a beloved children’s book by Judith Viorst. The character’s name helps emphasize the epic scale of his bad day!
In music, the name has been referenced in songs like “Alexander the Great” by Iron Maiden and appears in Leonard Cohen’s “Alexandra Leaving.”
The name also feels right at home in fantasy and historical fiction, where it often represents characters with leadership qualities or heroic destinies.
Personality Traits Associated with Alexander
People named Alexander are often perceived as:
- Natural leaders with charisma
- Confident and self-assured
- Protective of loved ones (living up to the name’s meaning)
- Ambitious and goal-oriented
- Intelligent and strategic thinkers
- Adventurous, with a desire to explore
Of course, names don’t determine personality, but the strong historical associations with Alexander the Great may influence how people perceive individuals with this name.
Similar Names to Alexander
- Sebastian
- Theodore
- Maximilian
- Nicholas
- Christopher
- Jonathan
- Benjamin
Alternate Spellings for Alexander
- Aleksander (Polish, Norwegian, Danish)
- Alexandros (Greek)
- Alexandru (Romanian)
- Alejandro (Spanish)
- Alessandro (Italian)
- Iskander (Arabic)
- Alasdair (Scottish)
Pronunciation Variations Around the World
- American English: al-ig-ZAN-der
- British English: al-ig-ZAHN-der
- Russian: ah-leek-SANDR
- Spanish: ah-leh-HAN-dro
- Italian: ah-les-SAN-dro
- French: ah-lek-SAHN-druh
Parents Who Like Alexander Also Like
- William
- James
- Thomas
- Edward
- Henry
- Samuel
- Daniel
- Charles
Baby Name Lists That Include Alexander
- Classic Boy Names
- Strong Male Names with Powerful Meanings
- Names with Greek Origins
- Royal and Regal Names
- Names with Excellent Nickname Options
- Timeless Names That Never Go Out of Style
Alexander for Both Genders
While Alexander is traditionally a male name, feminine variations include:
- Alexandra
- Alexandria
- Alessandra
- Alexis
- Alexa
- Alexandrina
Some parents have also begun using Alexander for girls, though this remains relatively uncommon.
Sibling Name Ideas
For Brothers:
- Nicholas
- William
- Theodore
- Benjamin
- Sebastian
For Sisters:
- Elizabeth
- Katherine
- Victoria
- Sophia
- Isabella
Names with the Same Meaning as Alexander
- Aaron (Hebrew for “mountain of strength”)
- Ethan (Hebrew for “strong, firm”)
- Andrew (Greek for “manly, brave”)
- Miles (Latin for “soldier”)
- Garrett (Germanic for “brave with the spear”)
First Impressions of Alexander
Alexander typically creates impressions of:
- Intelligence and education
- Leadership potential
- Classic sophistication
- Strength and capability
- Someone with options (from formal Alexander to casual Alex)
The name sounds distinguished without being stuffy and carries an air of competence and reliability.
Celebrity Babies Named Alexander
- Alexander Skarsgård (son of actor Stellan Skarsgård)
- Alexander “Sasha” Schreiber (son of Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber)
- Alexander Pete Schreiber (son of Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber)
- Alexander John Aniston (son of Jennifer Aniston’s half-brother)
- Alexander Dobrev (brother of actress Nina Dobrev)
Songs About Alexander
- “Alexander the Great” by Iron Maiden
- “Alexander Hamilton” from the musical “Hamilton”
- “Alex Chilton” by The Replacements
- “Alexandra” by Hamilton Leithauser and Rostam
- “Alexandra Leaving” by Leonard Cohen
Famous Quotes About Alexander
“I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion.” — Alexander the Great
“There is nothing impossible to him who will try.” — Alexander the Great
“I would rather live a short life of glory than a long one of obscurity.” — Alexander the Great
Alexander in Different Languages
- Greek: Αλέξανδρος (Alexandros)
- Russian: Александр (Aleksandr)
- Spanish: Alejandro
- Italian: Alessandro
- French: Alexandre
- German: Alexander
- Polish: Aleksander
- Hebrew: אלכסנדר
- Arabic: الإسكندر (Al-Iskandar)
Name Combinations for Alexander
First and Middle Name Combinations:
- Alexander James
- Alexander William
- Alexander Thomas
- Alexander Henry
- Alexander Gabriel
- Alexander Robert
- Alexander Michael
Middle Name for Alexander:
- Jack Alexander
- William Alexander
- James Alexander
- Thomas Alexander
- Theodore Alexander
Comments from Parents of Children Named Alexander
“We chose Alexander because it’s classic but still feels strong. Plus, he has so many nickname options as he grows up. Right now he’s our little Xander, but he might be Alex in high school and Alexander in his professional life.”
“I love that Alexander has history behind it. When my son asks about his name, I get to tell him about one of history’s greatest leaders and explorers.”
“Alexander pairs perfectly with almost any middle name we considered. It’s versatile and flows well with both traditional and more modern names.”
“Our Alexander goes by Alex with friends and Alexander with family. I love that the name gives him options depending on his mood or the situation.”
“We named him Alexander because we wanted something timeless that would work well for a child and an adult. Three years in, and I still love writing his full name—it has a wonderful rhythm to it.”