Alex
A unisex name of Greek origin, meaning defender, helper; short form of Alexander or Alexis.
Babies a year
2,766
the US, 2017
Rarity
Common
among names in use
US popularity
#232
down from #205
UK popularity
#207
243 babies · down from #171
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 |
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. Its US peak was 7,637 in 1993.
Looking further back: between 1880 and 2008, Alex was most common in 1995, when it went to 0.37% of American babies of that sex.
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