Alex

Meaning of Alex

This name means 'defender of mankind' or 'protector of people.' It suggests someone who helps and guards others.

Alex has Greek roots — browse every Greek baby name in our catalog.

Popularity of Alex

Alex has cooled off, slipping to #232 in 2025, down from a peak of #62 in 2000.

Alex as a girl's name

Alex is also used as a girl's name. It means 'defender' or 'helper of mankind.' It's often a short form of Alexandra or Alexis.

Notable people named Alex

• Alex Trebek
  Beloved long-time Jeopardy! host
• Alex Rodriguez
  Legendary baseball player, analyst
• Alex Ovechkin
  Star ice hockey player
• Alex Turner
  Arctic Monkeys lead singer, songwriter
• Alex Garland
  Acclaimed film director, writer

More Greek names

Questions about the name Alex

What does the name Alex mean?

Alex means this name means 'defender of mankind' or 'protector of people.' it suggests someone who helps and guards others, and it comes from Greek origins.

Is Alex a boy's or a girl's name?

Alex is used for both boys and girls in the United States, which makes it a unisex name.

How popular is the name Alex?

In 2025, Alex ranked #232 for boys, down from #205 the year before.

When was Alex most popular?

Alex peaked at #62 in 2000.