The name Alessandra is of Italian origin and means "defending men" or "protecting mankind". It is derived from the male name Alessandro, which is ultimately based on Alexander, a Greek name meaning "defender of mankind".
Alessandra has been used as a female given name since at least the Renaissance period in Italy. It was popular among Italian nobles and can be found in historical records dating back to the 15th century. Some notable figures named Alessandra include Alessandra di Tommaso, an Italian painter active during the early Renaissance, and Alessandra Mussolini, the Italian politician and actress who is a granddaughter of Benito Mussolini.
The name Alessandra has also been used by non-Italian speakers in recent years, particularly among English-speaking countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom. Its popularity may be due in part to its exotic sound and its association with famous historical figures like Alexander the Great.
The name Allesandra experienced fluctuations in popularity over time, with notable peaks in the late 90s and mid-2000s, but has since seen a decline in usage, as indicated by the lower birth counts from 2011 onwards.