
Origin, Meaning, And History Of Alex
Alex is a shortened version of the name ‘Alexander,’ which originated from the Greek word Alexandros, meaning ‘to defend’ or ‘to protect.’ It is a unisex name, with a slight majority of boys being named Alex compared to girls. It can also be spelled as Aleks, Alyx, Alix, and Alexx.
Apart from the Americans, the name is popular among German, French, and Swedish populations in different forms. In addition, it is also used as a surname, typically in African countries.
Alex has been a given name since the 18th century and is notable in the US and other regions of the globe, including Australia, Canada, England, Spain, and Switzerland. Although it is mostly used as a short name or nickname for Alexander, Alexis, and Alexandra, it has gradually become a popular name in its own right to be used as a standalone name.
The name is equally sought-after in pop culture. You must have heard about Alex Armstrong, a character in the book and TV series Fullmetal Alchemist. Then there is Alex from Power Rangers and Street Fighter III: New Generation and Alex Browning, a main protagonist from Final Destination. The name was also used in TV and films as the main title of a show Alex, Inc., an American sitcom, and Alex, an Australian film.
To conclude, Alex as a name has a friendly and approachable sound, and it is often linked to qualities such as strength, courage, and loyalty, making it an ideal choice for a baby name.
How To Pronounce Alex?
The way you pronounce a name can make all the difference.
Listen to the sound of the name Alex in English.
Famous People With The Name Alex
- Alex RodriguezAmerican professional baseball player (former) and philanthropist
- Alex PettyferBritish actor and model, starred in I Am Number Four and Magic Mike
- Alex TrebekCanadian- American game show host
- Alex HarveyScottish musician and founder of the sensational Alex Harvey Band
- Alex WinterBritish-American actor and filmmaker, known for his role in The Lost Boys and Freaked
Alex On The Popularity Chart
The popularity and rankings of the name Alex have been varying, and we have documented the same in the graphs that follow.
Popularity Over Time
Before the 1980s, Alex was not a popular choice among parents, but its usage began to increase from 1990 to 2010, and declined later, as shown in the graph below.
Source: Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
The name’s rank witnessed a decline from 1990 to 2010, but it has been picking up pace since then, showing consistent improvements until 2021, as shown in the graph below.
Source: Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Alex
If Alex sounds chic and sophisticated, you may also like these names that carry a similar sound and feel.
Popular Sibling Names For Alex
If you are looking for some matching sibling names that resonate with Alex, check our suggestions here.
Boy Sibling Names For Alex
Find matching brother names for Alex and create a wonderful team of siblings.
AleksGirl Sibling Names For Alex
Looking for some suitable sister names for Alex? Check out our collection of beautiful and unique names.
AleksiaOther Popular Names Beginning With A
Looking for more baby names starting with the letter A to resonate with your family’s naming tradition or to rhyme with the sibling names? Find a range of alternative names starting with this letter.
Names With Similar Meaning As Alex
Want to explore more name options that mean the same as Alex? Here are a few suggestions for you.
Popular Songs On The Name Alex
Infographic: Know The Name Alex‘s Personality As Per Numerology

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
How To Communicate The Name Alex In Other Languages
In Nautical Flags
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In Sign Language
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In Braille Alphabet
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In Morse Code
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Name Numerology For Alex



Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Alex?
The name Alex means protector of humanity.
2. What is the origin of the name Alex?
Alex has Greek origin.
3. How to pronounce the name Alex?
Alex is pronounced as ah-lex.
4. What are some common nicknames for the name Alex?
Parents can opt for any adorable term as a nickname for their child. However, some parents prefer keeping a nickname related to the child’s given name. For the short name Alex, you can consider potential nicknames such as Al, Ally, Lex, Lexi, and Lexa.
5. Are there any popular baby names that rhyme with or sound similar to Alex?
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