Alexandra is a female given name of Greek origin. It comes from the Greek word "alexein" which means to defend or protect, and "andros" meaning man. Therefore, the name Alexandra translates to "defending men" or "protecting mankind". It is a unisex name in some cultures, but it is most commonly used for females.
The name Alexandra has been popular throughout history. One of the most notable figures bearing this name was Queen Alexandra of Denmark, who married King Edward VII of the United Kingdom in 1863. She was a significant figure in British royal history and is remembered for her kindness, intelligence, and charm.
In literature, the name Alexandra has also been used prominently. It is the title character in both the novel "Alexandra" by Robin Waterfield and the play "Alexandre le Grand" by Jean Racine. Additionally, the name was popularized in the 19th century due to Alexander Pushkin's poem "Eugene Onegin", which features a character named Tatiana Alexandrovna.
Today, Alexandra remains a popular choice for parents naming their daughters. It has consistently ranked among the top 500 names for girls in the United States since the 1980s. The name is also widely recognized and appreciated across different cultures, making it a versatile and timeless option for parents seeking a meaningful and elegant name for their daughter.
The name Alexandra experienced a significant surge in popularity from the late 1970s to the mid-1980s, with peaks of 34 births in 1987 and 43 births in 1988. However, it has since declined, with only 5 births recorded each in both 2020 and 2021. Over the entire period from 1921 to 2021, there were a total of 869 babies named Alexandra at birth.