The nameAlexis
Alexis is a name of Greek origin meaning "defender". A boy's name in Europe, it was a top 10 girls' name in the United States around 2000.
- Unisex name
- Greek
- Feast day
Meaning
Alexis comes from the Greek alexis, "defence, help", from alexein, "to defend".
Origin
Greek. Saint Alexius, a 5th century Roman saint, and several Byzantine emperors bore it.
History
Alexis is a boy's name in France, Greece and Russia. In the United States it became a girl's name, reaching third place in 1999, partly thanks to Alexis Carrington of the series Dynasty.
Alexis in other languages
Alexis is Alessio in Italian, Aleix in Catalan, Aleksy in Polish and Alexei in Russian. In the United States it is mostly a girls' name, while it remains a boys' name in France.
Nicknames for Alexis
The most common nicknames for Alexis: Alex and Lexi.
Did you know?
- Alexis de Tocqueville published Democracy in America in 1835, after travelling across the United States.
- The surgeon Alexis Carrel won the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1912.
Famous people named Alexis
- Alexis de Tocqueville, writer
- Alexis Sánchez, footballer
- Alexis Bledel, actress
- Alexis Carrington, Dynasty character
Popularity of the name Alexis
Alexis in the United States
Alexis was most popular in the United States in the 2000s, with 158,859 births over the decade, 39% of all recorded babies named Alexis. Its rise began around 1982, and it peaked in 1998. Half of all babies named Alexis in the United States were born before 2000. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 1,469 births a year on average, against 3,059 in the five years before.
Alexis in the United Kingdom
Alexis was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 4,581 births over the decade, 62% of all recorded babies named Alexis. Half of all babies named Alexis in the United Kingdom were born before 2012, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 76 births a year on average, against 242 in the five years before.
Alexis in France
Alexis in Belgium
Alexis in Switzerland
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Alexis
Names from the same generation as Alexis, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Alexis? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Alexis with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Alexis side by side with the name of your choice.
Alexis in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Alexis mean?
Alexis comes from the Greek alexis, "defence, help", from alexein, "to defend".
What is the origin of the name Alexis?
Greek. Saint Alexius, a 5th century Roman saint, and several Byzantine emperors bore it.
Is Alexis a girl's or a boy's name?
Alexis is a unisex name, given to both girls and boys. In the United States, 84% of the babies named Alexis are girls.
How popular is the name Alexis?
In 2024, Alexis was the 508th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 604 births.
What are the variants of the name Alexis?
Variants and related names of Alexis include Alessia, Alessio, Alexi, Alexia, Alexie and Alexine.
What are good sibling names for Alexis?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Stephanie, Melissa, Nicole and Kayla for a sister, Nicholas, Steven, Brian and Brandon for a brother.
What are common nicknames for Alexis?
The most common nicknames for Alexis are Alex and Lexi.
Who are famous people named Alexis?
Alexis de Tocqueville, writer; Alexis Sánchez, footballer; Alexis Bledel, actress; Alexis Carrington, Dynasty character.