Alex
A unisex name of Greek origin, meaning defender, helper; short form of Alexander or Alexis.
How Alex has moved
View as table
| Year | US rank |
|---|---|
| 2015 | #134 |
| 2016 | #146 |
| 2017 | #151 |
| 2018 | #153 |
| 2019 | #165 |
| 2020 | #182 |
| 2021 | #193 |
| 2022 | #190 |
| 2023 | #202 |
| 2024 | #205 |
| 2025 | #232 |
Alex by the numbers
In 2025, 243 babies in England and Wales were named Alex. In the US, 2,766 were, though that figure is from 2017, the most recent full year we hold.
For the size of the two countries, it is given noticeably more often in the US than in England and Wales.
Its American peak was 7,637 babies in 1993, making it a 1990s name.
At its height, in 1995, about 1 in 270 American babies born that year was called Alex.
Other names that come from Alexander
Like Alex, each of these traces back to Alexander: a form of it, a name built from it, or a son or daughter of it. Not always the same sex.
- Xanderdefender of mankind; short form of Alexander2,403 in the US (2017)
- Alejandrodefender of men; Spanish form of Alexander2,027 in the US (2017)
- Zanderdefender of men; a diminutive of Alexander1,551 in the US (2017)
- Alexandriadefender of mankind; a form of Alexander1,238 in the US (2017)
- Alecdefender of men; short form of Alexander569 in the US (2017)
- Alessandrodefender of men; Italian form of Alexander401 in the US (2017)
- Alexzanderdefender of men; invented spelling of Alexander226 in the US (2017)
- Alistairdefender of men; Scottish form of Alexander75 in England and Wales (2025)
Other names that come from Alexis
Like Alex, each of these traces back to Alexis: a form of it, a name built from it, or a son or daughter of it. Not always the same sex.
- Lexidefender of men; diminutive of Alexandra or Alexis938 in the US (2017)
- Lexiedefender of men; diminutive of Alexis348 in the US (2017)
- Lexlaw; a form of Alexander or Alexis90 in the US (2017)
- Alexysdefender of mankind; a form of Alexis25 in the US (2017)
- Alexiedefender of mankind; a form of Alexis24 in the US (2017)
- Lexi-Maedefender of mankind; a form of Alexis combined with Mae14 in England and Wales (2025)
- Lexiidefender of mankind; a form of Alexis14 in the US (2017)
- Alyxisdefender of mankind; a form of Alexis6 in the US (2017)
Spelled almost the same
Other names in the records within a letter or two of Alex. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.
Sounds like Alex
Names that are said the same way as Alex, however they are written. Sounding alike does not mean they share a history.
Other names that mean a helper
Like Alex, each of these has a helper in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Ezrahelp, helper1,300 in England and Wales (2025)
- Alexisdefender, helper2,847 in the US (2017)
- Paigeyoung servant or attendant1,695 in the US (2017)
- Adrielmy help is god; flock of god1,553 in the US (2017)
- Codyhelpful; descendant of Ó Cuidighthigh504 in England and Wales (2025)
- Marshallhorse servant or stable master938 in the US (2017)
Other names that mean a protector
Like Alex, each of these has a protector in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Liamresolute protector; short form of William18,764 in the US (2017)
- Williamresolute protector14,922 in the US (2017)
- Alexanderdefender of the people12,488 in the US (2017)
- Parkerkeeper of the park; park ranger5,833 in the US (2017)
- Alexadefender of men; form of Alexandra3,888 in the US (2017)
- Alexisdefender, helper2,847 in the US (2017)
Names about as common as Alex
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