Alexandrine

Alexandrine is a French feminine form of Alexander, which derives from the ancient Greek name Alexandros, composed of the elements alexein, meaning to defend, and aner, meaning man, giving the overall sense of defender of men. The name gained widespread use across Europe through the fame of Alexander the Great, the Macedonian king whose conquests spread Greek culture throughout the ancient world. Alexandrine was borne by several European noblewomen, including Alexandrine of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, and the name lent its form to the alexandrine, a type of French poetic meter said to have been used in early poems about Alexander the Great. Related forms include Alexandra, Alexandria, and Alexandrina.