Alexis is a Greek name that means "helper" or "defender." It has been used throughout history and across different cultures, but it was the Roman Emperor Hadrian who first brought significant attention to the name Alexis.
Hadrian, whose reign lasted from AD 117 to 138, was known for his love of art and culture. He had a close friend named Aelius, whose full name was believed to be Aelius Aristides Alexis. This association with Hadrian helped popularize the name Alexis in ancient Rome.
Over time, the name Alexis continued to gain popularity throughout Europe. It was used by several royals and nobles, further cementing its status as a prestigious name. For instance, Alexis of Russia was the son of Tsar Nicholas II and a member of the Romanov dynasty.
In literature, the name Alexis has been featured prominently in works like "Alexis ou Le Traité du peintre" (Alexis or The Treatise on Painting) by Jacques-Louis David, a French painter and politician. This further contributed to its cultural significance.
Today, Alexis remains a popular choice for parents seeking a name with a strong historical background and a unique sound. It is often used in both English-speaking countries and those influenced by Greek culture. Despite its rich history, the name Alexis does not have any specific festivals or traits associated with it, allowing each individual to create their own legacy based on their personal qualities and experiences.
The name Alexis has been quite popular in the United States over the past century, with a significant increase in usage starting from the late 1970s to early 1980s. Between 1882 and 1973, the number of births with the name Alexis remained relatively low, fluctuating between 5 to 20 births per year.
However, beginning in 1974, there was a noticeable rise in the popularity of the name, with 180 births recorded that year. This upward trend continued throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, reaching an all-time high of 331 births in 1979 and 405 births in 1981.
The name's popularity peaked in the mid-1990s, with a total of 2317 births recorded in 1998. Since then, the number of newborn girls named Alexis has gradually decreased but remains steady, with approximately 600 to 700 births per year from 2000 to present.
In summary, while the name Alexis was not particularly common during the early to mid-20th century in the United States, it gained significant popularity starting in the late 1970s and has remained a popular choice for parents ever since. As of 2023, the total number of births with the name Alexis in the United States stands at 66,846.