Boy · 65th of 24,088
Alex
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
294,382
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1993
Peak Popularity Year
8,066
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Alex stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Alex originates from the Greek name Alexandros, meaning 'defender of the people'. It evolved through various forms, including Alexander in Latin and the modern shortened form Alex. It is associated with traits of strength and leadership and gained popularity largely due to the historical figure Alexander the Great. The name has no biblical relevance.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈælɛks/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Alex is derived from the Greek name Alexandros, which means 'defender of the people'.
Meaning
Defender of the people
Language Evolution
Alexandros (Ancient Greek), Alexander (Latin), Alex (Shortened modern form)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the Western world during the Hellenistic period due to the fame of Alexander the Great.
Variants & Derivatives
Alexander, Alexandra, Al, Lex
Modern Popularity & Image
Alex is a popular name in many cultures and is often associated with strength and leadership.
Famous People
Alexander the Great, Alex Trebek, Alex Morgan, Alex Kingston
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 8,066 peak births in 1993
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 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 5 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
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
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 146th of 7545 | 17,032 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 208th of 6773 | 11,741 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 243rd of 7552 | 17,452 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 191st of 10718 | 21,457 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 65th of 16616 | 87,227 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 65th of 24088 | 96,764 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 153rd of 23106 | 29,869 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 3673rd of 9107 | 110 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 3639th of 9204 | 115 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 3760th of 12526 | 198 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 3695th of 19264 | 276 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 818th of 27321 | 3,738 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 1089th of 35406 | 3,496 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 1471st of 30306 | 1,816 |