Alexander

Derived from the ancient Greek name Alexandros, composed of the elements alexein, meaning to defend or protect, and aner, meaning man, giving the overall sense of defender of men. The name was borne most famously by Alexander the Great, the fourth-century BCE Macedonian king whose vast conquests spread Greek culture across much of the known world, making the name enormously popular across Europe and beyond. It has been carried by numerous rulers, saints, and popes throughout history, cementing its place as one of the most enduring names in the Western tradition. Related forms include Aleksandar, Aleksander, Alexandru, Alejandro, Alexandre, Alessandro, and Sasha, along with the feminine variants Alexandra and Alexandria.