Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Alec is a name of Greek origin, derived from the name Alexander, which means 'defender of the people.' It evolved from Alexandros to Alexander and eventually to Alec in English. The name suggests traits of strength and leadership, and it has no biblical relevance. Alec gained popularity in the 19th century and continues to be viewed positively in modern times, associated with notable figures in entertainment.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈælɪk/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
Alec is derived from the name Alexander, which comes from the Greek name Alexandros, meaning 'defender of the people.'
Meaning
Defender of the people
Language Evolution
Alexandros (Greek), Alexander (Latinized form), Alec (English)
Historical Usage
Alec began gaining popularity as a standalone name in the 19th century, particularly in English-speaking countries.
Variants & Derivatives
Alex, Alexander, Al
Modern Popularity & Image
Alec is perceived as a strong and classic name, often associated with intelligence and creativity.
Famous People
Alec Baldwin, Alec Guinness, Alec Guiness
📊 Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 3,457 peak births in 1995
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Nevada
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 10 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (1 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 1 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 877th of 7545 | 960 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1238th of 6773 | 571 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 885th of 7552 | 1,341 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 830th of 10718 | 1,545 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 226th of 16616 | 19,399 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 225th of 24088 | 25,046 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 573rd of 23106 | 5,912 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 5839th of 27321 | 222 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 12564th of 35406 | 109 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 28476th of 30306 | 6 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
83.05% 1176th/1416 |
42.49% 586th/1379 |
70.25% 1662nd/2366 |
81.87% 935th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- |
58.16% 905th/1556 |
85.68% 2016th/2353 |
64.71% 1001st/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
36.33% 809th/2227 |
28.35% 689th/2430 |
55.84% 1593rd/2853 |
27.46% 762nd/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
28.91% 849th/2937 |
19.78% 689th/3483 |
41.53% 1461st/3518 |
18.92% 765th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
4.40% 162nd/3685 |
4.36% 195th/4475 |
6.24% 324th/5194 |
3.55% 224th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
3.73% 171st/4582 |
3.64% 188th/5164 |
3.83% 280th/7313 |
3.27% 244th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
14.78% 589th/3984 |
13.84% 621st/4487 |
8.66% 591st/6822 |
7.93% 498th/6276 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - |
74.56% 4710th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in Nevada across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is declining in usage, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, usage has been falling for male in MidWest, falling for male in Northeast, falling for male in South, falling for male in West, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been falling for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, falling for male in South, falling for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 877th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1238th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 885th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 830th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 226th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 225th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 573rd out of 23106 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 5839th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 12564th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 28476th out of 30306 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.