Alex is a name of Greek origin, derived from the name Alexander, which means "defender of mankind." The name Alek is a shorter form or a variant spelling of Alexander, and it has been used independently as a given name since the late 20th century.
The name Alek was popularized in part by the character Alex P. Keaton on the American sitcom "Family Ties," which aired from 1982 to 1989. The character, played by Michael J. Fox, was known for his conservative political views and his love of business, and he helped to bring attention to the name Alek as a result.
Throughout history, there have been many notable individuals with the name Alek or variations thereof. For example, Alexander the Great was a king of Macedon who conquered much of the known world in the 4th century BCE, while Alexei Yashin is a Russian ice hockey player who played professionally for several teams, including the New York Islanders.
Overall, Alek is a strong and distinctive name with a rich history and an attractive sound. Its Greek origins give it a classic feel, while its modern usage makes it feel fresh and contemporary. Whether you're looking for a name that's unique but not too unusual, or a name that has a strong historical pedigree, Alek is an excellent choice.
The name Alek experienced fluctuations in popularity over the years, with peaks in certain decades and dips in others. The highest number of births occurred in recent years, particularly in 2007, 2009, 2014, and 2019 with totals of 8, 7, 7, and 6 respectively. Conversely, there were fewer than six births per year from 1992 to 2002. Overall, Alek has seen a total of 86 births since 1992.