Alexandria is a unique and captivating female name of Greek origin. It is derived from the ancient city of Alexandria in Egypt, which was founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC. The city was named after its founder's wife, who was also his sister, Roxane, but it was eventually corrupted to sound more like her husband's name.
The meaning of the name Alexandria is "defender of humankind." This significance comes from the fact that the city became a center of learning and culture during the ancient world. It housed one of the largest libraries in history, known as the Library of Alexandria, which attracted scholars from around the globe to study and contribute to its vast collection.
Throughout history, there have been several notable figures with the name Alexandria or variations thereof. One famous example is Queen Alexandra of Denmark (1844-1925), who became the wife of King Edward VII of the United Kingdom. Another notable figure is Lady Diana Spencer's full first name, which was also Alexandria.
Today, the name Alexandria remains relatively rare but continues to evoke images of history and sophistication due to its ancient origins and associations with learning and culture. Parents who choose this name for their daughters often do so because they appreciate its unique sound, rich history, and meaningful significance. Despite being derived from a place name, Alexandria has evolved into an elegant and distinctive personal name that stands on its own merits.
The name Alexandria has seen a significant fluctuation in popularity over the past century in the United States. In the early 1900s, it was quite rare, with fewer than 10 births recorded annually between 1902 and 1916. However, its popularity began to rise steadily from there, reaching over 30 births per year by 1914.
The 1920s saw a significant drop in the number of girls named Alexandria, with fewer than 40 births recorded each year throughout the decade. This trend continued into the early 1930s, but starting in 1935, we see another uptick in popularity, with over 10 births per year consistently until the end of World War II.
Post-war, the name Alexandria became even more popular, with over 20 births recorded annually from 1946 to 1950. The mid-1950s saw a brief dip, but by 1956, it was back on the rise and continued to gain traction throughout the late 1960s.
The 1970s marked a turning point for the name Alexandria in terms of popularity. From 1970 onwards, over 100 births were recorded each year, with peaks in 1978 (196 births) and 1980 (244 births). This trend continued throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, reaching a high of 552 births in 1981.
However, beginning in the mid-1990s, we see another decline in the popularity of the name Alexandria. Between 1994 and 2003, there were fewer than 3,000 births recorded annually. This downward trend continued throughout most of the 2000s, with the lowest point reached in 2008 (1,793 births).
In recent years, the name Alexandria has remained relatively stable, with around 1,500 births recorded each year between 2010 and 2020. Despite fluctuations over time, it remains a popular choice among parents in the United States.
In conclusion, while the popularity of the name Alexandria has varied significantly over the past century, it has nonetheless remained a enduring choice for parents throughout much of that time.