Alexander



Origin: Greek


Αλέξανδρος (Greek) Alexandros


Meaning: the Latinized form of Greek Alexandros which means "defending men" or "defender of men" from Greek alexo (to defend, help) and aner (man).


Alexander was another name for the hero Paris, who brought about the Trojan war when he abducted Helen. The most famous Alexander is the Macedonian king better known as Alexander the Great who created one of the largest empires in the ancient world. 


The feminine form, Alexandra, was an epithet used for the Greek goddess Hera, as well as another name for Cassandra, the sister of Paris and a prophetess cursed to never have her prophecies believed, including the destruction of Troy.


Alexander was such a popular name that it has dozens of variants in different languages- too many for this post. I'll do a post listing all the Alex forms in a later post.


Nicknames: Alex, Sander, Xander, Xan, Lex, Alec, Sandy



Feminine forms:

  • Alexandra
  • Alexandria
  • Alexa
  • Alexina

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