Alexis Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: uh-LEX-is //əˈlɛksɪs//
Origin: Greek; French
Meaning: Greek: defender of mankind; French: protector
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Alexis has its roots in the Greek name Ἀλέξις (Alexis), which is derived from the verb ἀλέξω (alexo), meaning "to defend" or "to help." This etymology suggests a connotation of protection or assistance. The name was used in ancient Greece and can be traced back to classical literature, where it appeared in works by playwrights such as Plautus and Terence.
From Greek, the name transitioned into Latin as Alexis, maintaining its original form and meaning, before entering Old French as Alexys, which eventually influenced its adoption into Middle English as Alexis. Historically, the name Alexis has been associated with various notable figures, including saints and scholars.
One of the most significant early bearers was Saint Alexis, a Christian saint who lived in the 4th century and is venerated in both the Eastern and Western Christian traditions. His life story, which emphasizes themes of humility and devotion, contributed to the name's enduring appeal in Christian contexts.
Additionally, the name appears in the context of the King James Bible, where it is associated with the notion of divine protection, further solidifying its significance in religious and cultural narratives. Culturally, Alexis has resonated through various traditions, often symbolizing strength and support.
The name has been embraced in literature and the arts, appearing in various forms across different cultures. In some contexts, diminutives such as Lexi have emerged, reflecting a more affectionate or informal usage.
The name's historical and cultural associations have allowed it to maintain a presence across generations, embodying qualities of resilience and care.
Famous people named Alexis
In this section, you will find notable people named Alexis. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Alexis who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Alexis who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Alexis Bledel is an actress best known for Gilmore Girls, The Handmaid's Tale, and Sin City.
Alexis Ohanian is an entrepreneur best known for co-founding Reddit, Initialized Capital, and serving as a partner at Y Combinator.
Alexis Ren is a model and social media influencer best known for her work with brands like Aerie, and her appearances in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
Alexis Arquette was an actress and transgender activist best known for her roles in The Wedding Singer, Pulp Fiction, and as a member of the Arquette family.
Alexis Knapp is an actress best known for her roles in Pitch Perfect, Project X, and So Undercover.
Fictional characters named Alexis
The following list of fictional characters named Alexis is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Alexis Rose is a fictional character from the TV series Schitt's Creek. She is a member of the wealthy Rose family who learns to adapt to a simpler life after losing their fortune.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Alexis, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Alexis. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Alexis was first seen in the United States in 1931.
Alexis has ranked as high as #23 nationally, which occurred in 1998, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Ohio.
In the past 5 years the name Alexis has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Alexis is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Alexis was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Alexis (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 95 | |
| TX | 51 | |
| NY | 34 | |
| FL | 32 | |
| AZ | 23 | |
| NC | 22 | |
| IL | 21 | |
| PA | 20 | |
| NJ | 19 | |
| OH | 18 | |
| KY | 17 | |
| VA | 14 | |
| IN | 13 | |
| WI | 12 | |
| CO | 12 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Alexis.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 604 |
| 2023 | 686 |
| 2022 | 877 |
| 2021 | 947 |
| 2020 | 1,033 |
| 2019 | 1,328 |
| 2018 | 1,655 |
| 2017 | 2,072 |
| 2016 | 2,695 |
| 2015 | 3,435 |
| 2014 | 4,246 |
| 2013 | 4,785 |
| 2012 | 5,372 |
| 2011 | 6,537 |
| 2010 | 8,278 |
| 2009 | 9,944 |
| 2008 | 9,734 |
| 2007 | 9,923 |
| 2006 | 11,239 |
| 2005 | 11,976 |
| 2004 | 13,477 |
| 2003 | 14,867 |
| 2002 | 15,636 |
| 2001 | 16,404 |
| 2000 | 17,631 |
| 1999 | 19,237 |
| 1998 | 19,778 |
| 1997 | 17,171 |
| 1996 | 16,592 |
| 1995 | 14,334 |
| 1994 | 13,039 |
| 1993 | 10,833 |
| 1992 | 7,948 |
| 1991 | 7,009 |
| 1990 | 5,257 |
| 1989 | 3,518 |
| 1988 | 2,901 |
| 1987 | 2,460 |
| 1986 | 2,198 |
| 1985 | 2,517 |
| 1984 | 3,292 |
| 1983 | 3,462 |
| 1982 | 3,122 |
| 1981 | 1,584 |
| 1980 | 1,269 |
| 1979 | 1,008 |
| 1978 | 771 |
| 1977 | 724 |
| 1976 | 693 |
| 1975 | 676 |
| 1974 | 601 |
| 1973 | 487 |
| 1972 | 396 |
| 1971 | 344 |
| 1970 | 353 |
| 1969 | 204 |
| 1968 | 174 |
| 1967 | 185 |
| 1966 | 186 |
| 1965 | 165 |
| 1964 | 104 |
| 1963 | 172 |
| 1962 | 154 |
| 1961 | 154 |
| 1960 | 168 |
| 1959 | 168 |
| 1958 | 185 |
| 1957 | 194 |
| 1956 | 181 |
| 1955 | 173 |
| 1954 | 177 |
| 1953 | 216 |
| 1952 | 252 |
| 1951 | 252 |
| 1950 | 230 |
| 1949 | 268 |
| 1948 | 217 |
| 1947 | 248 |
| 1946 | 221 |
| 1945 | 122 |
| 1944 | 124 |
| 1943 | 89 |
| 1942 | 36 |
| 1941 | 5 |
| 1931 | 5 |