Alexander
Alexander is a boy's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Defender of men.
Origin and history
Alexander is a classic male name derived from the Greek Alexandros, meaning defender of men. It has been a timeless choice in the United States, consistently ranking among the top names for boys. Its enduring popularity is rooted in rich historical and royal associations.
Popularity in the United States
736,123 babies in the United States have been named Alexander since 1880. It ranks #47 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #17.
States where it is most popular
- CA (14.1 %)
- NY (8.4 %)
- TX (6.9 %)
- FL (5.6 %)
- IL (5.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 2,081 |
| 1890-1900 | 1,954 |
| 1900-1910 | 2,230 |
| 1910-1920 | 11,352 |
| 1920-1930 | 12,539 |
| 1930-1940 | 7,095 |
| 1940-1950 | 9,477 |
| 1950-1960 | 12,180 |
| 1960-1970 | 14,168 |
| 1970-1980 | 24,932 |
| 1980-1990 | 82,010 |
| 1990-2000 | 183,952 |
| 2000-2010 | 178,847 |
| 2010-2019 | 142,161 |
| 2020-2029 | 51,145 |
Famous people named Alexander
- Alexander Hamilton: Founding Father, Secretary of the Treasury
- Alexander Graham Bell: Inventor, Scientist
- Alexander Skarsgård: Actor
Nicknames
Alex, Alec, Zander, Xander, Al
Fun facts
- The name has been borne by kings, emperors, and popes throughout history, most famously Alexander the Great of Macedon.
- Alexander Hamilton was a key figure in the founding of the United States and the first Secretary of the Treasury.
- Alexander has remained a top 50 overall name in the United States since tracking began in 1880.