Boy · #219 in 2026

Alex

Alex is a unisex name, employed either as a hypocoristic or a standalone given name, derived from the Greek element ἀλέξειν (aléxein), meaning "to defend" or "to protect." Universally recognized as a diminutive for Alexander and Alexandra, Alex has, in contemporary usage, established itself as an independent given name for both males and females. Additionally, it is associated with Alexis.

Current Rank
#219
Peak Rank
#47 (1993)
Total Babies
288K
5-Yr Trend
-23%
1915
First Year
2026
Last Year
1995
Peak Year
#537
Peak Rank
10K
Total Count
108
Years Active

Meaning & Origin of Alex

What this name means, where it came from, and how it has traveled across cultures.

Alex is a unisex name, employed either as a hypocoristic or a standalone given name, derived from the Greek element ἀλέξειν (aléxein), meaning "to defend" or "to protect." Universally recognized as a diminutive for Alexander and Alexandra, Alex has, in contemporary usage, established itself as an independent given name for both males and females. Additionally, it is associated with Alexis.

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0). Read more →

The Story of Alex

Alex first appeared in U.S. Social Security Administration records as a baby boy name in 1880, with 147 babies given the name that year. Its peak popularity came in 1993, when 7,641 Alexs were born — ranking #52 that year. As of 2026, Alex ranks #219 for baby boys with 1,658 births, falling sharply (-23%). In total, more than 288K Alexs have been born in the U.S. since records began in 1880, spanning the 1880s through the 2020s.

Popularity Over Time

Popularity by State

ME
WA
MT
ND
MN
WI
MI
NY
VT
NH
MA
OR
ID
SD
IA
IL
IN
OH
PA
NJ
CT
RI
CA
NV
WY
NE
MO
KY
WV
VA
MD
DE
DC
UT
CO
KS
AR
TN
NC
SC
AK
AZ
NM
OK
LA
MS
AL
GA
HI
TX
FL
Top 10
11-50
51-100
101-500
500+
No data

Names that sound like Alex

Phonetically similar names — useful when Alex is the vibe but a different syllable count or letter feel might suit better. Linked entries have a profile on Peek a Name.

Source: Datamuse . Phonetic similarity ranking, not curated.

Frequently Asked Questions about Alex

What does the name Alex mean?
Alex is a unisex name, employed either as a hypocoristic or a standalone given name, derived from the Greek element ἀλέξειν (aléxein), meaning "to defend" or "to protect." Universally recognized as a diminutive for Alexander and Alexandra, Alex has, in contemporary usage, established itself as an independent given name for both males and females. Additionally, it is associated with Alexis.
How popular is Alex in 2026?
In 2026, Alex ranks #219 among boys' names in the U.S., with 1,658 babies given the name that year.
When was Alex most popular?
Alex reached its peak popularity in 1993, ranking #47 that year with 7,641 babies given the name.
In which U.S. states is Alex most popular?
Alex has historically been most popular in U.S. Territories, South Dakota, Iowa. Rankings vary year to year, but these states show the strongest concentration of births named Alex.
Is Alex a unisex name?
In U.S. Social Security records, Alex is primarily a boy's name. We don't have meaningful data for it as a girl's name.
What names go well with Alex?
Names that share a similar style or popularity range with Alex include Melvin, Bradley, Claude. These pairings are based on rank proximity and naming era in U.S. data.

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About the name Alex

Alex is a boy baby name tracked by the U.S. Social Security Administration. It first appeared in SSA records in 1880 and has accumulated 288K births in the dataset. Alex's peak popularity came in 1993 when it ranked #47. Use the chart and map above to compare Alex's trajectory across years and U.S. states, or browse the related names section to discover similar choices.

Continue exploring

Data sources

  • Birth statistics (counts, ranks, years 1880–2026) — U.S. Social Security Administration . Predictions for years not yet released by SSA are computed by Peek a Name from historical trends; we update with official data as soon as it ships.
  • Etymology, cultural origins, and related forms — Behind the Name (used under their public API terms).
  • Meaning prose and editorial summary — Wikipedia article extracts, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 .
  • Predicted nationality distribution — Nationalize.io .
  • Phonetically similar names — Datamuse .

Peek a Name aggregates and presents the above data for informational purposes. Statistical predictions and external attributions are clearly labelled where shown; we make no guarantee of accuracy beyond what each source provides.