Alexandros is a Greek masculine given name. It is composed of two elements, the first being 'ἀλέξω', which means "to defend" or "to protect", and the second being 'ἀνήρ', meaning "man". Thus, the name Alexandros signifies "defender of mankind".
The name Alexandros is of ancient Greek origin. It was borne by several notable figures in history, most famously Alexander the Great (356-323 BC), king of Macedon. His achievements, including the conquest of much of the known world, have made him one of the most famous figures in history.
The name Alexandros was also used by Alexander III, King of Epirus (209-242 BC), who was a descendant of Pyrrhus I of Epirus and therefore related to Alexander the Great. Other historical figures with this name include Saint Alexander of Alexandria (3rd century AD), who was a Christian theologian and bishop of Alexandria, and Alexander VII (1599-1667), a Pope who was born as Fabio Chigi.
The name Alexandros has been used in various forms throughout history. In English, it is often rendered as Alexander or Alex. In Greek, it can also be spelled 'Αλέξανδρος'. Other variations of the name include Alessandro (Italian), Alexandre (French and Portuguese), Alejandro (Spanish), and Alexandar (Bulgarian).
Despite its historical significance, the name Alexandros remains popular today. It is often given to newborn boys in Greece and other countries with Greek influences. Its strong and powerful meaning continues to appeal to parents seeking a meaningful name for their child.
The name Alexandros experienced a significant increase in popularity from the late 1980s onwards, with a notable peak in 2007 (60 births) and another peak in 2021 (49 births). However, there were periods of relatively low usage, such as between 1960 and 1973 (ranging from 5 to 14 births annually), and more recently between 2016 and 2020 (ranging from 25 to 29 births annually). Overall, Alexandros has been given to a total of 1690 newborns over the years.