Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Alec
BoyScottish, Greek· “defender of men”
- Meaning
- defender of men
- Origin
- Scottish, Greek
- Pronunciation
- A-lihk
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #977
- US babies 2025
- 234
- Best rank
- #109 (1994)
- Peak year
- 1995
Meaning and origin of Alec
Alec is a Scottish and Greek name that means “defender of men”.
Alec began as a Scottish short form of Alexander, a Greek name meaning defender of men. Alexander became famous through Alexander the Great and spread across Europe, and Scotland had several kings of that name. Alec has been used on its own for generations and gained wider fame through the actor Sir Alec Guinness and later Alec Baldwin. It feels brisk, smart and approachable, with a classic British edge. Alec is short enough that it rarely needs a nickname, though Al can be used, and it pairs well with longer middle names.
Popularity over time
Alec has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 114 different years. Its best national rank was #109 in 1994, and the most babies received it in 1995, when 3,420 were named Alec. In 2025, 234 babies were named Alec, and it ranked #977 nationally. That is 65% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #816 in 1920, #977 in 1950, #782 in 1980, #156 in 2000, #417 in 2010, and #977 in 2025. Of the 55,152 US boys named Alec since records began, 47% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 13,727 babies. Since 2010, 8,084 more have been named Alec.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Collin, Malik, Sergio, Chance, and Darius.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Alec ranked highest in Oklahoma, Arizona, and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | #505 | 8 |
| Arizona | #637 | 10 |
| California | #699 | 39 |
| Texas | #749 | 36 |
| Wisconsin | #786 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Alec is usually pronounced A-lihk, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with A and ends in “-ec”.
Middle names for Alec
A few middle names that flow with Alec: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Alec
Similar names
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Lists that include Alec
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Alec mean?
Alec is a Scottish and Greek name that means “defender of men”.
What is the origin of the name Alec?
Alec has Scottish and Greek roots. Alec began as a Scottish short form of Alexander, a Greek name meaning defender of men.
Is Alec a popular name?
Yes. Alec ranked #977 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Alec a boy or girl name?
Alec is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Alec?
Alec is usually pronounced A-lihk. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings