Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Alejandro
BoySpanish, Greek· “defender of men”
- Meaning
- defender of men
- Origin
- Spanish, Greek
- Pronunciation
- ah-leh-HAHN-droh
- Syllables
- 4
- US rank 2025
- #195
- US babies 2025
- 1,842
- Best rank
- #88 (1999)
- Peak year
- 2001
Meaning and origin of Alejandro
Alejandro is a Spanish and Greek name that means “defender of men”.
Alejandro is the Spanish form of Alexander, from Greek elements meaning "to defend" and "man", so it is usually rendered "defender of men". The fame of Alexander the Great, the Macedonian king who created a vast empire, made the name popular across the ancient world and later throughout Christian Europe. In Spanish-speaking countries Alejandro has been a steady favorite for generations, and it is widely used in the United States. Alex and Alejo are common short forms, while Jandro is a more playful nickname. Alejandro has a strong, rhythmic sound and a classic image.
Popularity over time
Alejandro first appears in US Social Security records in 1885. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 112 different years, starting in 1885. Its best national rank was #88 in 1999, and the most babies received it in 2001, when 4,557 were named Alejandro. In 2025, 1,842 babies were named Alejandro, and it ranked #195 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #817 in 1920, #642 in 1950, #187 in 1980, #89 in 2000, #103 in 2010, and #195 in 2025. Of the 146,624 US boys named Alejandro since records began, 29% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 35,178 babies. Since 2010, 36,307 more have been named Alejandro.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Bryce, Colby, Jalen, Eduardo, and Garrett.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Alejandro ranked highest in New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | #76 | 23 |
| Arizona | #79 | 98 |
| Texas | #84 | 471 |
| California | #111 | 361 |
| Nevada | #134 | 23 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Alejandro is usually pronounced ah-leh-HAHN-droh, with four syllables. It has nine letters, starts with A and ends in “-ro”.
Middle names for Alejandro
A few middle names that flow with Alejandro: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Alejandro
Similar names
Alessandro Boy
ah-leh-SAHN-droh
“defender of men” · Italian
#497
Pedro Boy
PAY-droh
“stone, rock” · Spanish
#455
Andres Boy
ahn-DREHS
“manly, brave” · Spanish
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Esteban Boy
ehs-TEH-bahn
“crown, garland” · Spanish
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Isidro Boy
ee-SEE-droh
“gift of Isis” · Spanish
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Alexander Boy
a-lihg-ZAN-dur
“defender of men” · Greek
#30
Arturo Boy
ahr-TOO-roh
“uncertain; perhaps 'bear'” · Spanish
#627
Leandro Boy
lee-AN-droh
“lion man” · Spanish
#406
Demetrius Boy
dih-MEE-tree-uhs
“follower of Demeter” · Greek
#1,229
Alexzander Boy
al-ihg-ZAN-dur
“variant of Alexander, 'defender of the people'” · American (modern coinage)
#2,126
Jethro Boy
JEHTH-roh
“abundance” · Hebrew
#953
Nicodemus Boy
nik-uh-DEE-mus
“victory of the people” · Greek
#2,826
Lists that include Alejandro
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Alejandro mean?
Alejandro is a Spanish and Greek name that means “defender of men”.
What is the origin of the name Alejandro?
Alejandro has Spanish and Greek roots. Alejandro is the Spanish form of Alexander, from Greek elements meaning "to defend" and "man", so it is usually rendered "defender of men".
Is Alejandro a popular name?
Yes. Alejandro ranked #195 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Alejandro a boy or girl name?
Alejandro is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Alejandro?
Alejandro is usually pronounced ah-leh-HAHN-droh. 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