Alex
Alex first appears in US records in 1880. It peaked in 1993, when 7,639 boys were given the name; in 2025 there were 1,515.
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Is Alex popular?
Declining Alex is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 1993 peak.
| 2020s | 11,154 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 32,605 | |
| 2000s | 63,781 | |
| 1990s | 70,830 | |
| 1980s | 38,712 | |
| 1970s | 13,997 | |
| 1960s | 12,034 | |
| 1950s | 8,198 | |
| 1940s | 6,855 | |
| 1930s | 6,306 | |
| 1920s | 9,182 | |
| 1910s | 7,871 | |
| 1900s | 1,745 | |
| 1890s | 1,448 | |
| 1880s | 1,451 |
Counts from US Social Security Administration data, 1880–2025.
What does Alex mean?
Alex is a short form of Alexander or Alexandra, from the Greek for “defender of the people.” It stands widely on its own for both sexes.
Nicknames for Alex
- Al
- Lex
Variants & spellings
- Alix
Explore related names
Frequently asked questions
Is Alex a boy or a girl name?
Alex is most commonly used as a boy name.
Is Alex a popular name right now?
Alex is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 1993 peak.
How popular is the name Alex?
In 2025, Alex ranked #232 among boys’ names in the United States, according to U.S. Social Security Administration data.
When was the name Alex most popular?
Alex was most popular in 1993, when about 7,639 US babies were given the name that year, according to US Social Security Administration records.
What are common nicknames for Alex?
Common nicknames for Alex include Al, Lex.