The story behind Alex
Clipping of Alexander, from Ancient Greek Ἀλέξανδρος (Aléxandros) 'he who wards off men', i.e. protector, possibly of Hittite origin. Also from Alexius, from the same Ancient Greek first element, "helping, defending". These two origins of Alex are indistinguishable in most languages. The female name has the same root, a clipping of Alexandra or the female name Alexis, in some cases also a spelling variant of Alix.
Other language forms and explanations (1)
Finnish entry
Probably from Swedish Alex and/or English Alex.
Pronunciation
Australia, Canada, General-American: /ˈæl.ɪks/
Regional pronunciation variants
- Australia, Canada, General-American: /ˈæl.əks/
- Finnish: /ˈɑleks/
- Finnish: [ˈɑ̝le̞ks̠]
Popularity
Alex ranked #2487 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Alex
Ajax
From Latin Aiāx, from Ancient Greek Αἴᾱς (Aíās).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends X
- same syllable count
- similar length
Aleix
Inherited from Latin Alexius, from Ancient Greek Ἀλέξιος (Aléxios, “helper, defender”).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends X
- same syllable count
- similar length
Abel
English Abel From Middle English Abel, from Old English Ābel, from Latin Abel, from Ancient Greek Ἅβελ (Hábel), from Biblical Hebrew הֶבֶל (Héḇel, “Abel”), possibly from the…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends L
- same syllable count
- similar length
Adam
Middle English Adam English Adam From Middle English Adam, from Old English Adam, from Latin Adam, Adamus, from Ancient Greek Ἀδάμ (Adám), Ἄδαμος (Ádamos), from Biblical Hebrew…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends M
- same syllable count
- similar length
Anna
From Late Latin Anna both directly and via numerous other languages, chiefly in reference to St Anne the apocryphal mother of Mary mother of Jesus but appearing in the Vulgate…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Labrax
From Ancient Greek λάβραξ (lábrax, “European seabass”).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends X
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Alex
Jan
From Old French Jehan (“John”). Doublet of John. Czech Jan Inherited from Old Czech Jan, borrowed from Latin Iōannēs. From Middle Dutch jan, from Latin Iōhannēs, from Ancient…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends N
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Job
From Latin Iob, from Ancient Greek Ἰώβ (Iṓb), from Biblical Hebrew אִיּוֹב (ʾiyyōḇ), related to אָיַב (ʾāyaḇ, “to be an enemy”) and אוֹיֵב (ʾōyēḇ, “enemy”). Ultimately from…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends B
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Kai
Taken into regular use in the 1990s, with earlier popularity peaks in Scandinavia and Germany. The medieval Danish Kaj is possibly of Roman origin, Latinized as Caius, like the…
- Gender
- mixed
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends I
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Alex
Cleo
Shortened from Cleopatra or a variant of Clio. The rare male name derives from names of Ancient Greek origin such as Cleon and Cleopas.
- Gender
- mixed
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends O
- compatible short style
- shared origin connection
Clio
From the Ancient Greek Κλειώ (Kleiṓ). The award and car model were named after the goddess. From Ancient Greek Κλειώ (Kleiṓ).
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends O
- compatible short style
- shared origin connection
Cloe
A female given name from Ancient Greek, an alternative spelling of Chloe.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends E
- compatible short style
- shared origin connection