Alexis
Alexis is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Helper or defender.
Origin and history
Alexis is derived from the Ancient Greek name Alexios, meaning 'helper' or 'defender'. Originally used primarily as a male name in Europe and Russia, it became widely popular as a feminine name in the United States during the late 20th century. It remains a well-recognized modern unisex name with strong classic roots.
Popularity in the United States
344,557 babies in the United States have been named Alexis since 1880. It ranks #107 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #397.
States where it is most popular
- CA (11.4 %)
- TX (8.3 %)
- NY (5.4 %)
- FL (5.2 %)
- OH (4.9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 5 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,330 |
| 1950-1960 | 2,028 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,666 |
| 1970-1980 | 6,052 |
| 1980-1990 | 26,321 |
| 1990-2000 | 131,199 |
| 2000-2010 | 130,834 |
| 2010-2019 | 40,416 |
| 2020-2029 | 4,706 |
Famous people named Alexis
- Alexis Bledel: Actress, Model
- Alexis Arquette: Actress, Performer
Nicknames
Lexi, Lexie, Lex, Ali
Fun facts
- While historically masculine in European contexts, Alexis gained massive popularity as a feminine name in the U.S. starting in the 1970s and 1980s.
- It shares its etymological root with Alexander and Alexandra, deriving from the Greek verb alexein, meaning to defend.