Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Lexa
GirlGreek· “short form of Alexandra, defender”
- Meaning
- short form of Alexandra, defender
- Origin
- Greek
- Pronunciation
- LEK-suh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #4,827
- US babies 2025
- 28
- Best rank
- #1,810 (2017)
- Peak year
- 2017
Meaning and origin of Lexa
Lexa is a Greek name that is usually said to mean “short form of Alexandra, defender”.
Lexa is a short form of Alexandra, the feminine of Alexander, from Greek alexein, "to defend," and aner, "man." It has been used as an independent name in English since at least the late twentieth century, as short forms of long names increasingly stood alone. It is said LEK-suh. Lexi, Alexa and Lexie are related names. The name is short and modern, and it offers a crisp alternative to Alexa. Lexa also appears as a character name in recent television, which has brought it to the attention of younger parents.
Popularity over time
Lexa first appears in US Social Security records in 1949. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,810 in 2017, the same year it reached its highest count of 115 babies. In 2025, 28 babies were named Lexa, and it ranked #4,827 nationally. That is 33% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #9,766 in 1980, #4,906 in 2000, #3,724 in 2010, and #4,827 in 2025. Of the 1,578 US girls named Lexa since records began, 38% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 390 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Avigail, Merida, Avia, Alayla, and Aoife.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Lexa is usually pronounced LEK-suh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with L and ends in “-xa”.
Middle names for Lexa
A few middle names that flow with Lexa: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Lexa
Similar names
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Lists that include Lexa
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Lexa mean?
Lexa is a Greek name that is usually said to mean “short form of Alexandra, defender”.
What is the origin of the name Lexa?
Lexa has Greek roots. Lexa is a short form of Alexandra, the feminine of Alexander, from Greek alexein, "to defend," and aner, "man." It has been used as an independent name in English since at least the late twentieth century, as short forms of long names increasingly stood alone.
Is Lexa a popular name?
Not especially. Lexa ranked #4,827 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Lexa a boy or girl name?
Lexa is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Lexa?
Lexa is usually pronounced LEK-suh. 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