Alex
Alex is a boy's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Defender of mankind.
Origin and history
Alex is a popular short form of Alexander, derived from the Greek name Alexandros. It has been used widely as an independent given name for centuries. In the United States, it remains a classic, versatile choice for males and females alike.
Popularity in the United States
286,169 babies in the United States have been named Alex since 1880. It ranks #133 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #199.
States where it is most popular
- CA (14.5 %)
- TX (8 %)
- NY (8 %)
- IL (5.1 %)
- FL (4.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 1,451 |
| 1890-1900 | 1,448 |
| 1900-1910 | 1,745 |
| 1910-1920 | 7,871 |
| 1920-1930 | 9,182 |
| 1930-1940 | 6,306 |
| 1940-1950 | 6,855 |
| 1950-1960 | 8,198 |
| 1960-1970 | 12,034 |
| 1970-1980 | 13,997 |
| 1980-1990 | 38,712 |
| 1990-2000 | 70,830 |
| 2000-2010 | 63,781 |
| 2010-2019 | 32,605 |
| 2020-2029 | 11,154 |
Famous people named Alex
- Alex Rodriguez: Athlete, Baseball Player
- Alex Trebek: Television Host
- Alex Haley: Author, Writer
Fun facts
- Alex derives from the Greek elements 'alexein' (to defend) and 'aner' (man).
- While traditionally a nickname for Alexander or Alexandra, Alex has ranked as an independent given name in the U.S. for over a century.