Decoding the Name Alexandra: Origin and Meaning

What Does Alexandra Mean?

Alexandra is a girl’s name that roughly means “the defender of man.” According to Greek mythology, it is an epithet given to the goddess Hera. In this case, it means “one who comes to save warriors.”

What Is the Origin of the Name Alexandra?

Alexandra has deep roots in the Greek language. The name is a compound of the Greek verb “alexein” which means to defend, and the word “andros” meaning man. It is the female form of its male counterpart, Alexander.

The earliest form of the name seems to be from the Mycenaean Greek language. Mycenaean Greek is the most ancient arrested form of the language. Alexandra has been around for thousands of years ⁽¹⁾.

How Popular Is the Name Alexandra?

Alexandra is a popular name in many cultures. Over time, it spread far beyond Ancient Greece and has taken hold in the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, and Spain as one of the top names every year.

In the United States, it has fallen out of the rankings to sit at the 168th most popular name for a girl, at present. This is the lowest ranking in the last 20 years ⁽²⁾.

How Do I Pronounce Alexandra?

Alexandra is a multi-syllabic name that is pronounced similarly to the way it is spelled. It is most often pronounced as “ah-lig-zaan-DRUH” or “ah-lihg-zahn-DRUH”.

The emphasis is usually on the last syllable, but it can also be placed on the third depending on the dialect.

Is Alexandra a Boy or Girl Name?

Based on historical use, Alexandra is a girl’s name. It is the female counterpart to the popular boy name Alexander. There is no evidence to suggest these names have switched to apply to the opposite gender.

Variations of Alexandra

With the long history of Alexandra, variations have popped up across many different cultures. Here are a few versions of the name that are just as pretty in other countries and cultures:

• Alejandra (Spanish)
• Aleksandra (Albanian, Bulgarian, Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Macedonian, Polish, Russian, Serbo-Croatian)
• Alessandra (Italian)
• Alessia (Italian)
• Aliaksandra (Belarusian)
• Alikhandra (Egyptian)
• Alyssandra (Greek, Sicilian)
• Cassandra (Greek)
• Leska (Czech)
• Lexi (English)
• Oleksandra (Ukrainian)
• Sacha (French)
• Szandra (Hungarian)

Nicknames for Alexandra

Due to its multi-syllabic nature, Alexandra lends itself to many nicknames. Some endearing options include:

• Al
• Alex
• Allie
• Andie
• Andra
• Dra
• Lex
• Lexie
• Xan

Similar Names to Alexandra

If you like the name Alexandra, but want something a little different, try out one of these names inspired by Greek culture for a similar name to Alexandra:

• Adrianna
• Amara
• Anastasia
• Athena
• Catherine
• Cora
• Daphne
• Elliana
• Evangeline
• Isadora
• Liliana
• Maia
• Rhea
• Xanthe
• Zoey

Middle Names for Alexandra

Pairing two names that end in the letter “a” or the “a” sound is a pretty idea for a name that rolls off the tongue. If you prefer a traditional middle name, that also works with a classic name like Alexandra. A few options for a middle name are:

• Annie
• Brie
• Cienna
• Gianna
• Hyacinth
• Isabelle
• Joy
• Karissa
• Lou
• Marie
• Mae
• Natalie
• Olivia
• Penny
• Veronica

Sibling Names for Alexandra

With a classic and historical name like Alexandra, you might want to choose a sibling name that is historical in its own right. Consider pairing this name with others that also end in “a.” Check out these ideas for a sibling name:

For a brother:

• Andrew
• Artemis
• Christopher
• Dylan
• Henry
• Jonathon
• Peter
• Philip
• Timothy
• Tommy

For a Sister:

• Cecilia
• Delia
• Effie
• Francesca
• Kristina
• Maria
• Nathalia
• Theresa
• Sabrina
• Vivienne

Famous People Named Alexandra

There are plenty of famous people named Alexandra. Many of them are historical figures! Take a look at this list and see if you recognize any of the following:

• Alexandra of Denmark: Queen consort of the United Kingdom, Empress consort of India as the wife of King-Emperor Edward VII.
• Alexandra Feodorovna: Empress of Russia, wife of Tsar Nicholas II.
• Alexandra Fusai: French Tennis Player.
• Alexandra Lencastre: Portuguese Actress.
• Aleksandra Maltsevskaya: Russian Chess Master.
• Aleksandra Ziółkowska-Boehm: Polish writer.

Alexandra in Popular Culture

Alexandra, or Alex, is a name present in popular culture quite often. Check out these characters to see which ones you know and which you might have missed:

• Alex Russo: Character in Disney Channel’s “Wizards of Waverly Place.”
• Alexandra Gray: Character in the television show “Grey’s Anatomy.”
• Alexandra Dunphy: Character in the television show “Modern Family.”
• Alexandra Finch: Sister of Atticus Finch in the 1960 novel “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

Alexandra FAQs

These are some of the most commonly asked questions about the name Alexandra.