Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
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
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
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
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 (5 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 5 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 | 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 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
11.02% 156th/1416 |
8.34% 115th/1379 |
7.14% 169th/2366 |
13.75% 157th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
15.39% 238th/1546 |
11.12% 173rd/1556 |
9.39% 221st/2353 |
10.54% 163rd/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
12.26% 273rd/2227 |
9.09% 221st/2430 |
8.83% 252nd/2853 |
6.63% 184th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
7.46% 219th/2937 |
4.71% 164th/3483 |
5.94% 209th/3518 |
3.88% 157th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
1.57% 58th/3685 |
1.47% 66th/4475 |
1.54% 80th/5194 |
1.04% 66th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
1.40% 64th/4582 |
1.22% 63rd/5164 |
1.05% 77th/7313 |
0.94% 70th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
4.89% 195th/3984 |
3.19% 143rd/4487 |
2.37% 162nd/6822 |
2.06% 129th/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) |
- | - | - |
83.32% 2312th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - |
60.78% 2458th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
18.24% 672nd/3685 |
22.99% 1029th/4475 |
17.10% 888th/5194 |
11.67% 737th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
22.46% 1029th/4582 |
26.96% 1392nd/5164 |
15.52% 1135th/7313 |
14.11% 1053rd/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
40.29% 1605th/3984 |
37.15% 1667th/4487 |
23.66% 1614th/6822 |
20.24% 1270th/6276 |
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 gradually declining. From 2020-2022, usage has been falling for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, falling for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, falling for female in South, falling for male in West, too falling for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been too rising for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, falling for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, falling for male in South, stalled for female 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 146th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 208th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 243rd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 191st out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 65th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 65th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 153rd out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 3673rd out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 3639th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3760th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 3695th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 818th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1089th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1471st out of 30306 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.