Names › Boys' names › A › Alexander
Alexander
Meaning: defender of people · Origin: Greek · Gender: usually a boy's name
Origin & history
From Greek Alexandros: alexein ('to defend') + aner ('man'). Alexander the Great carried it across the ancient world.
Famous people named Alexander
- Alexander the Great
- Alexander Graham Bell (inventor)
- Alexander Hamilton (US founder)
Nicknames
Alex, Xander, Sasha, Sandy
Variants & related names
Alessandro, Alejandro, Aleksandr, Alexandre
Alexander name art
A free preview of a printable “Alexander” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.
Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.
FAQ
What does the name Alexander mean?
Alexander means “defender of people”. It comes from Greek.
Is Alexander a popular name?
Yes — Alexander has been one of the most popular boys' names in the United States in the 2020s, according to US Social Security Administration baby-name data.
What are nicknames for Alexander?
Alex, Xander, Sasha, Sandy.
What are other forms of Alexander?
Alessandro, Alejandro, Aleksandr, Alexandre.
Similar names
Theodore · Sebastian · Luke · Christopher · Andrew · Angel
More: names starting with A · all boys' names
Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.