Aleksandr

Aleksandr is the Russian and Armenian form of Alexander, derived from the ancient Greek name Alexandros, composed of the elements alexein, meaning to defend or protect, and aner, meaning man. The name gained widespread use across the Slavic world largely through the enduring fame of Alexander the Great, the Macedonian king who built one of history's largest empires in the fourth century BC. Notable Russian bearers include the poet Aleksandr Pushkin and Emperor Alexander I. Related forms include Aleksander, Oleksandr, and Aleksandar.