The boy's name Alexander \a-lexa-nder, alex(an)-der\ is pronounced al-ek-ZAN-der. It is of Greek origin, and its meaning is "man's defender, warrior". From the Latin form of the Greek name Alexandros.

The name was probably coined originally as a title of the goddess Hera, consort of Zeus. Alexander the Great (356-323 BC) conquered and ruled the greater part of the known world before his death at the age of 33. History describes him as a man of high physical courage, impulsive energy, and fervid imagination. It was a royal name in Scotland. Alec and Zander are modern offshoots. Sandy is a Scottish pet form; Alessandro is an Italian form; Alexandre and Alixandre are French. See also Lexer. English poet Alexander Pope; American statesman Alexander Hamilton; actors Sir Alec Guinness, Alec Baldwin; American Secretary of State Alexander Haig; Soviet writer and dissident Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn; writer Alexandre Dumas.

ORIGIN
Greek

MEANING
Defender of mankind

Alexander the Great brought worldwide attention to the name in the 4th century BC. Since then, three emperors, numerous kings and saints, and eight popes have taken the name. Has steadily increased in popularity since 1959. Historically, Alexander Graham Bell comes to mind.

VARIATIONS
Alexis Alexandra Alexandria

ALTERNATIVES
Aleksandr Alexzander Alexandre Aleksandar Aleksander Alixandre

NICKNAMES
Alik Xander Alex

FAMOUS Alexanders
Alexander Ovechkin (Russian hockey player) Shaun Alexander (football player) Jason Alexander (actor)

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