Boy · 13th of 23,106
Alexander
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
733,348
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1993
Peak Popularity Year
20,707
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Alexander 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 Alexander originates from the Greek name Alexandros, meaning 'defender of men'. It has evolved through various languages including Latin and Slavic forms. The name is associated with strength and leadership, reflecting its historical significance through figures like Alexander the Great. There is no biblical background associated with this name, and its popularity has persisted through centuries, maintaining a classic image.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˌæl.ɪɡˈzændər/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Alexander is derived from the Greek name Alexandros, which is composed of the elements 'alexein' meaning 'to defend' and 'aner' meaning 'man'.
Meaning
Defender of men
Language Evolution
Alexandros (Ancient Greek), Alexander (Latin), Aleksandr (Slavic languages), Alejandro (Spanish), Alessandro (Italian)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity due to historical figures such as Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC, and has remained a common name throughout various cultures and languages.
Variants & Derivatives
Alex, Lex, Xander, Al, Sasha
Modern Popularity & Image
Alexander is currently viewed as a strong and classic name, often associated with leadership and nobility.
Famous People
Alexander the Great, Alexander Hamilton, Alexander Graham Bell, Alexander Pope, Alex Trebek
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 20,707 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 15 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 | 114th of 7545 | 23,828 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 183rd of 6773 | 14,246 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 209th of 7552 | 22,785 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 129th of 10718 | 36,153 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 34th of 16616 | 210,678 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 14th of 24088 | 278,580 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 13th of 23106 | 138,252 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 4054th of 9107 | 90 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 5057th of 9204 | 53 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 5122nd of 12526 | 110 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 2840th of 19264 | 408 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1030th of 27321 | 2,679 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 2713th of 35406 | 963 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 6374th of 30306 | 228 |