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 fame of Alexander the Great, the Macedonian king who built one of the largest empires of the ancient world. It has been borne by numerous Russian tsars, most notably Alexander I and Alexander II, cementing its place as one of the most historically significant names in Russian culture. Related forms include Aleksander, Oleksandr, and Iskander.