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Alek Boy

Popularity: #845 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationAH-lek / ˈɑːlɛk

Slavic; Greek

Meaning

Defender of mankind; protector

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Alek is derived from the Greek name Alexandros, which means "defender of men." The etymology can be traced back to the components "alexein," meaning "to defend," and "aner," meaning "man." This name was popularized in the ancient world through historical figures such as Alexander the Great, who reigned in the 4th century BCE and is known for his vast empire and military conquests. The name Alexandros was later adopted into Latin as Alexander, which subsequently influenced various languages, including Old French, before entering the English lexicon as Alexander and its diminutive forms, including Alek.

Throughout history, the name has been borne by numerous notable figures, including saints and monarchs. One of the most significant early bearers was Saint Alexander of Alexandria, a Christian bishop in the 4th century who played a crucial role in the early Church's theological debates. The name's prominence continued with various rulers across Europe, such as Alexander III of Scotland in the 13th century and Alexander II of Russia in the 19th century, both of whom contributed to the name's historical resonance.

Culturally, the name Alek and its variants have been associated with bravery and leadership, reflecting the qualities of its most famous namesake, Alexander the Great. The enduring legacy of the name is also evident in literature and the arts, where it has been used symbolically to represent strength and valor. The diminutive Alek has emerged as a modern variant, maintaining a connection to its historical roots while offering a contemporary appeal. Overall, the name Alek encapsulates a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution and cultural significance.

Trend Summary

Alek has seen moderate popularity in the United States, particularly as a variant of Alexander.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Alex
  • Aleksey
  • Aleksander

International Variants

  • Aleksandr (Russian)
  • Alejandro (Spanish)
  • Alexandre (French)

Famous people named Alek

Alek Wek is a model and designer best known for her work with high fashion brands and her advocacy for diversity in the fashion industry.

Alek Keshishian is a director and producer best known for Madonna: Truth or Dare, and the documentary film, The Last Dance.

Alek Manoah is a professional baseball player best known for his time with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Fictional characters named Alek

Alek is a fictional character from the novel series The Chaos Walking Trilogy by Patrick Ness. He is a key figure in the struggle against oppressive forces in a dystopian world.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Alek was first seen in the United States in 1916. Alek has ranked as high as #1144 nationally, which occurred in 1999, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Florida, Arizona, and Illinois. In the past 5 years the name Alek has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Alek (2024)

StateBirthsShare
TX 20
45%
CA 15
34%
AZ 9
20%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
191610
19195
19217
19735
19758
197812
19807
19815
198212
19838
198411
198516
198622
198724
198837
198956
199062
199189
199280
1993101
1994138
1995131
1996135
1997113
1998133
1999154
2000154
2001148
2002125
2003132
2004136
2005119
2006153
2007154
2008137
2009130
2010136
2011152
2012134
2013132
2014125
2015134
2016113
2017108
2018110
2019113
2020110
2021101
202295
2023102
202479