The story behind Alexander
Borrowed from Latin Alexander, from Ancient Greek Ἀλέξανδρος (Aléxandros), from ἀλέξω (aléxō, “to defend”) + ἀνδρ- (andr-), the stem of ἀνήρ (anḗr, “man”). Doublet of Alastair, Alejandro, Iskandar, Sikandar, Alessandro, and Alexandre.
Other language forms and explanations (2)
Hungarian entry
Borrowed from Latin Alexander, from Ancient Greek Ἀλέξανδρος (Aléxandros).
Spanish entry
Unadapted borrowing from English Alexander. Doublet of Alejandro.
Pronunciation
General-American: /ˌælɪɡˈzændɚ/
Regional pronunciation variants
- æ-raising, rhotic: [ˌælɪɡˈzeəndɚ]
- æ-raising, non-rhotic: [ˌælɪɡˈzeəndə]
- Received-Pronunciation: /ˌalɪɡˈzɑːndə/
- Hungarian: [ˈɒlɛksɒndɛr]
- Spanish: /aleɡˈsandeɾ/
- Spanish: [a.leɣ̞ˈsãn̪.d̪eɾ]
- Spanish: /alɪɡˈseəndɚ/
- Spanish: [alɪɣ̞ˈseən̪d̪ɚ]
- Spanish: /ˈælɪɡseəndɚ/
- Spanish: [ˈælɪɣ̞seən̪d̪ɚ]
Popularity
Alexander ranked #7502 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Alexander
Aleksandar
a male given name from Greek, equivalent to English Alexander
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 4 syllables
- Ending
- ends R
- same syllable count
- similar length
Aleksándar
a male given name from Greek, equivalent to English Alexander
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 4 syllables
- Ending
- ends R
- same syllable count
- similar length
Aleksander
Learned borrowing from Latin Alexander.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 4 syllables
- Ending
- ends R
- same syllable count
- similar length
Apolinar
Borrowed from Latin Apollināris (literally “of Apollo”).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 4 syllables
- Ending
- ends R
- same syllable count
- similar length
Adimantus
Borrowed from Ancient Greek Ἀδείμαντος (Adeímantos).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 4 syllables
- Ending
- ends S
- same syllable count
- similar length
Afrodita
Borrowed from Ancient Greek Ἀφροδίτη (Aphrodítē), usually connected with ἀφρός (aphrós, “sea foam, froth”), but possibly of Semitic origin.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 4 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Alexander
Aaron
From Latin Aaron, from Ancient Greek Ἀαρών (Aarṓn), from Hebrew אַהֲרֹן (ʾAhărōn), of unknown meaning, possibly meaning “bearer of martyrs”, or perhaps also, or instead,…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Aarón
a male given name from Latin [in turn from Ancient Greek, in turn from Hebrew], equivalent to English Aaron
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Abdiasz
Learned borrowing from Latin Abdias, from Ancient Greek Ἀβδίας (Abdías), from Hebrew עובדיה.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Z
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Alexander
Bairbre
From Latin Barbara (name of a legendary saint), feminine form of barbarus, from Ancient Greek βάρβαρος (bárbaros, “strange, foreign”). Cognate with Scottish Gaelic Barabal and…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends E
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Barbara
* From Latin Barbara, the name of Saint Barbara, feminine form of barbarus, from Ancient Greek βάρβαρος (bárbaros, “strange, foreign”). Doublet of Varvara. * (logic): From the…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Bárbara
a female given name from Latin [in turn from Ancient Greek], equivalent to English Barbara a female given name from Latin [in turn from Ancient Greek], equivalent to English…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length