Alexander is a masculine given name of Greek origin, derived from the word "alexein," which means "to defend" or "to ward off." It is also associated with the Greek god Alexander, who was said to protect against illness and misfortune.
The name Alexander gained popularity during the Hellenistic period following the conquests of Alexander the Great, a Macedonian king who established one of the largest empires in ancient history. This historic figure had a significant impact on the spread of the name throughout Europe and Asia.
In various languages, Alexander has different forms and equivalents. In Greek, it is Alexandros, while in Latin, it is Alexanderius. Other variations include Sasha in Russian, Alejandro in Spanish, Alessandro in Italian, Alexandre in French, and Aleksandrs in Latvian.
Alexander has been used as a given name for centuries and continues to be popular today. Some notable individuals who have borne this name include Alexander the Great himself, several Roman emperors, various saints, and numerous monarchs throughout history. Additionally, Alexander has inspired many works of art and literature, such as "Alexander Pushkin" by Vladimir Nabokov and "The Alexander Quartet," a string quartet based in San Francisco.
In terms of popularity, Alexander has consistently ranked among the most popular boys' names in various countries over time. In the United States, for example, it was one of the top 100 names for boys from the 1920s to the 1980s and has since regained popularity, ranking at number 74 in 2020.
In summary, Alexander is a prominent given name with roots tracing back to ancient Greece. Its meaning, "to defend" or "to ward off," reflects its association with protection and strength. Throughout history, numerous notable figures have carried this name, contributing to its enduring popularity across different cultures and languages.
Alexander has been a consistent yet evolving name choice for parents in the United States over the past century. Between 1909 and 2023, there have been a total of 4,520 births registered with the name Alexander.
The popularity of the name began to rise significantly from the late 1960s onwards. In 1968, there were 16 births recorded for boys named Alexander, and this number more than doubled the following year to 31 births in 1969. This trend continued throughout the 1970s, with the highest number of births recorded during this decade being 52 in 1980.
The 1980s marked a significant turning point for the name Alexander's popularity. Between 1982 and 1988, the number of annual births with this name increased exponentially from 78 to a peak of 331. This high level of popularity persisted throughout the 1990s, with over 200 births recorded annually between 1990 and 1995.
However, Alexander's popularity began to decline in the late 1990s, reaching its lowest point in recent history with only 9 births recorded in 2020. Despite this decrease, Alexander remains a beloved name choice for many parents, as evidenced by the consistent number of births each year since then.
In conclusion, while Alexander has experienced fluctuations in popularity over time, it remains a timeless and enduring name choice among American parents. Its consistent presence throughout the century reflects its appeal across different generations.