Alexis

Alexis is a Greek name derived from the verb alexein, meaning to defend or to protect, making it essentially equivalent in sense to defender of men, the meaning associated with the related name Alexander. It was borne in antiquity by the Greek comic poet Alexis of Thurii and later became widely used across Byzantine and Western Christian cultures through its association with Saint Alexius of Rome, a fifth-century ascetic venerated in both Eastern and Western churches. The name functions as both a masculine and feminine given name in modern usage and is found across numerous languages and traditions. Related forms include Alexia, Alexi, and Aleksis.