Alexandros is a Greek masculine given name. It is composed of two elements, the first being 'ἀλέξω', which means "to defend" or "to protect", and the second being 'ἀνήρ', meaning "man". Thus, the name Alexandros signifies "defender of mankind".
The name Alexandros is of ancient Greek origin. It was borne by several notable figures in history, most famously Alexander the Great (356-323 BC), king of Macedon. His achievements, including the conquest of much of the known world, have made him one of the most famous figures in history.
The name Alexandros was also used by Alexander III, King of Epirus (209-242 BC), who was a descendant of Pyrrhus I of Epirus and therefore related to Alexander the Great. Other historical figures with this name include Saint Alexander of Alexandria (3rd century AD), who was a Christian theologian and bishop of Alexandria, and Alexander VII (1599-1667), a Pope who was born as Fabio Chigi.
The name Alexandros has been used in various forms throughout history. In English, it is often rendered as Alexander or Alex. In Greek, it can also be spelled 'Αλέξανδρος'. Other variations of the name include Alessandro (Italian), Alexandre (French and Portuguese), Alejandro (Spanish), and Alexandar (Bulgarian).
Despite its historical significance, the name Alexandros remains popular today. It is often given to newborn boys in Greece and other countries with Greek influences. Its strong and powerful meaning continues to appeal to parents seeking a meaningful name for their child.
Between 1960 and 2023, the name Alexandros was given to a total of 1690 newborns in the United States. During this period, there were significant fluctuations in its popularity from year to year.
The name first gained notable traction in the mid-1970s, with an increase in births recorded between 1974 and 1977, peaking at 26 births in 1977. This trend continued into the early 1980s, with Alexandros being given to around 20 to 30 newborns annually between 1980 and 1988.
The name's popularity surged again in the late 1990s, reaching its peak in recent years. Between 1997 and 2007, Alexandros was given to more than 30 newborns each year, with a notable spike of 60 births recorded in 2007.
However, after 2007, the popularity of the name began to decline once again. Despite some fluctuations, the number of newborns named Alexandros has remained relatively stable over the past decade, typically ranging between 25 and 49 births per year.