name
Common
Alex
A-lihks
Alex (name) means a unisex given name, most often used as a short form of Alexander or Alexandra. Example: “Alex works as a graphic designer downtown.”
name
1
A unisex given name, most often used as a short form of Alexander or Alexandra.
"Alex works as a graphic designer downtown."
"CEO and cofounder Alex Karp distanced Palantir from other Silicon Valley technology companies in a letter included in the filing, writing that “we seem to share fewer and fewer of the technology sector’s values and commitments.”"
— Sara Ashley O'Brien and Rachel Metz, Palantir files paperwork to go public and reveals it has never turned a profit (2020)
How to use Alex
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA common short first name, used for both men and women.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Alexes
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_____ works as a graphic designer downtown.
Etymology
A clipping of Alexander (or Alexandra), ultimately from Greek meaning "defender of man."
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “Alex” mean?
The word “Alex” means a unisex given name, most often used as a short form of Alexander or Alexandra. In plain terms, a common short first name, used for both men and women.
How do you pronounce “Alex”?
“Alex” is pronounced A-lihks (/ˈæ.lɪks/ in IPA).
How do you use “Alex” in a sentence?
Here is “Alex” used in a sentence: “Alex works as a graphic designer downtown.”
What part of speech is “Alex”?
“Alex” is a name.
Where does the word “Alex” come from?
The word “Alex” comes from Greek. A clipping of Alexander (or Alexandra), ultimately from Greek meaning "defender of man.".
Is “Alex” a common word?
“Alex” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is Alex short for?
Alex is most commonly short for Alexander (for boys) or Alexandra (for girls). It can also shorten related names such as Alexis, Alexei, Alexandria or Alejandro. Many people are given Alex as their full legal name too, so it does not always stand for a longer version.
What does the name Alex mean?
Alex carries the meaning of the names it comes from, Alexander and Alexandra, which trace back to the Greek for 'defender' or 'protector of the people'. The root combines 'alexein', to defend, with 'andros', man or warrior. So the name broadly suggests a helper or guardian of others.
Is Alex a nickname or a full name?
It can be either. Traditionally Alex is a nickname or short form of longer names like Alexander and Alexandra. Increasingly, though, parents register Alex as a complete given name in its own right, so whether it is 'short for' anything depends entirely on the individual.
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