Alexandria is a unique and captivating female name of Greek origin. It is derived from the city of Alexandria, which was founded by Alexander the Great in Egypt around 331 BCE. The city was named after its founder, with "andra" meaning "man" or "defender," and "lexandros" meaning "defending men." Thus, the name Alexandria translates to "defending men" or "protecting mankind."
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals named Alexandria. One of the most famous is Queen Alexandra of Denmark, who became the queen consort of King Edward VII in 1901. Her full name was Princess Alexandrine Caroline Marie Charlotte Louise Julia zu Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, but she adopted the shorter form of her name upon her marriage to the British monarch.
Another notable figure named Alexandria is the American poet and activist Audre Lorde, who published under her birth name, Alexandrina Maria Theodorete. Despite her unconventional name, Lorde went on to become a prominent voice in feminist theory and black lesbian literature during the 1970s and 1980s.
In popular culture, Alexandria has been used as a character name in various films, television shows, books, and video games. Some examples include the movie "Troy" (2004), featuring an Alexa who is believed to be the fictionalized version of Queen Alexandra; the TV series "The West Wing," with a character named Alex; and the video game "Final Fantasy X-2," featuring a character named Yuna's sister, whose real name is revealed to be Alexandria.
Today, Alexandria remains a relatively rare but distinctive name choice for parents looking for an elegant and meaningful moniker for their daughters. Its roots in history and culture give it depth and intrigue, while its regal associations add an air of sophistication. Ultimately, the name Alexandria embodies strength, intelligence, and grace – qualities that have been attributed to many notable individuals throughout history who have carried this unique name.
Statistics on the name Alexandria in the United States:
The name Alexandria first appeared in the Social Security Administration's baby name database in 1905 with five recorded births that year. After a gap of two decades, it resurfaced in 1923 with another five births.
In the following years, the number of babies named Alexandria varied:
* Five births were registered in 1905 and again in 1923.
* Six births were reported in 1937.
* After a long gap, the name reappeared in 1982 with seven births.
From 1984 onwards, there was an increase in the number of babies named Alexandria:
* Nine births in 1984
* Six births in 1985
* Ten births in 1986
The year 1987 marked a significant peak with fifteen births. This trend continued with fluctuations throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s:
* Twenty-six births in 1989
* Fourteen births in 1990
* Eleven births in 1991
* Eighteen births in 1992
However, there was a decline from the mid-1990s onwards, with numbers ranging between five and twelve:
* Nine births in 1995
* Five births each year from 1998 to 2001
* Eight births in 2003 and again in 2004
Most recently, there were five births reported for the name Alexandria in both 2005 and 2006.
In total, since its first recording in 1905, there have been approximately 230 babies named Alexandria born in the United States. This data provides a fascinating insight into the changing popularity of this particular name over time.