Alex is a unisex given name, derived from the Greek Alexander, which means "defending men." It has gained significant popularity worldwide, particularly in English-speaking countries such as the United States and Britain. The name Alex was first used as a given name for both boys and girls in the late 19th century, initially being more popular among males but now also frequently used for females. Some notable individuals named Alex include American actor Alex Pettyfer and British singer-songwriter Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys fame. However, its popularity has led to it becoming somewhat gender-neutral, with many people preferring not to assign a specific gender to the name based solely on its sound or spelling.
The name Alex has seen fluctuating popularity over the years, with peaks occurring in 2001 and 2006 when six babies were named Alex each year. The most recent years show a decline in usage, with five births each in 2013. Overall, there have been 34 babies named Alex between 1988 and 2013.