Aleksius

Aleksius is a Latinized given name derived from the Greek name Alexios, which means defender or protector. The form Aleksius appears mainly in medieval Latin texts and in Slavic or Baltic ecclesiastical writings where Latinized names were common. In modern usage, the name has several regional variants, including Aleksiejus in Lithuanian, and Aleksy or Aleksius in Polish contexts, reflecting the interplay between Latin and local languages.

In historical sources, Aleksius is not associated with a single, universally recognized figure but is instead a name borne by various saints, bishops, and clerics who appear in hagiographies and church records. The most prominent saint linked to the broader Alexius tradition is Saint Alexius of Rome, a figure venerated in multiple Christian traditions; in some languages and manuscript traditions his name may appear in a Latinized form that resembles Aleksius. Because of the name’s long-standing use across different regions, the specific identifications of individuals named Aleksius often depend on the manuscript, liturgical calendar, or local tradition being referenced.

Overall, Aleksius reflects the historical practice of adapting Greek given names into Latin and vernacular spellings, producing a family of related forms used across Western and Eastern Christian contexts. For most purposes, the name is encountered in its more common Latinized variant Alexius, with Aleksius occupying a secondary position in scholarly and liturgical texts. See also Alexius, Alexios, and the regional forms Aleksiejus and Aleksy.