Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Alexandra
GirlGreek· “defender of men”
- Meaning
- defender of men
- Origin
- Greek
- Pronunciation
- al-ig-ZAN-druh
- Syllables
- 4
- US rank 2025
- #237
- US babies 2025
- 1,314
- Best rank
- #26 (1995)
- Peak year
- 1993
Meaning and origin of Alexandra
Alexandra is a Greek name that means “defender of men”.
Alexandra is the feminine form of Alexander, from Greek elements meaning "to defend" and "man", so it is usually rendered "defender of men". In Greek mythology Alexandra was also an epithet of Cassandra, the Trojan prophetess. The name gained royal weight through Queen Alexandra, wife of Edward VII of Britain, and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, the last empress of Russia. It has stayed in use throughout Europe for centuries. Alexandra is polished and substantial, with a wealth of nicknames that let it change with age: Alex, Lexi, Sasha, Sandra, Alix and Ali. It suits parents who want a classic with presence.
Popularity over time
Alexandra first appears in US Social Security records in 1894. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 91 different years, starting in 1915. Its best national rank was #26 in 1995, and the most babies received it in 1993, when 10,683 were named Alexandra. In 2025, 1,314 babies were named Alexandra, and it ranked #237 nationally. That is 56% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,283 in 1920, #803 in 1950, #284 in 1980, #36 in 2000, #64 in 2010, and #237 in 2025. Of the 245,451 US girls named Alexandra since records began, 39% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 61,253 babies. Since 2010, 40,392 more have been named Alexandra.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Kelsey, Jasmine, Victoria, Allison, and Marissa.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Alexandra ranked highest in District of Columbia, Rhode Island, and New York.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | #93 | 8 |
| Rhode Island | #107 | 8 |
| New York | #126 | 124 |
| New Hampshire | #151 | 8 |
| Maryland | #157 | 31 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Alexandra is usually pronounced al-ig-ZAN-druh, with four syllables. It has nine letters, starts with A and ends in “-ra”.
Middle names for Alexandra
A few middle names that flow with Alexandra: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Alexandra
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Lists that include Alexandra
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Alexandra mean?
Alexandra is a Greek name that means “defender of men”.
What is the origin of the name Alexandra?
Alexandra has Greek roots. Alexandra is the feminine form of Alexander, from Greek elements meaning "to defend" and "man", so it is usually rendered "defender of men".
Is Alexandra a popular name?
Yes. Alexandra ranked #237 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Alexandra a boy or girl name?
Alexandra is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Alexandra?
Alexandra is usually pronounced al-ig-ZAN-druh. 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