alex

Alex is a unisex given name and a common diminutive for Alexander and Alexandra. It derives from the Greek name Alexandros, traditionally interpreted as “defender of men” or “defending men.” As a short form, it has long been used independently as a given name in many countries.

Because of its brevity and versatility, Alex is widely used as a standalone name in English-speaking regions and as a nickname for longer names in many languages. It is used for both genders, though patterns of usage vary by culture; in some places it is more commonly given to boys, while in others it is more common for girls or used without regard to gender.

Variants and related forms include Alec, Alek, Alexa, and Alexandra. In some contexts, Alex serves as the base for compound names (e.g., Alexander, Alexandra) or as an independent name in its own right.

Notable people named Alex span fields such as sports, entertainment, and science. Examples include Alex Morgan, American soccer player; Alex Rodriguez, former American baseball player; Alex Trebek, Canadian-American television host; Alex Turner, English musician; and Alex Garland, British writer and filmmaker.

In popular culture, many fictional characters are named Alex. In video games, Alex is the female default player character in Minecraft, alongside Steve. The name remains common across many countries and languages, valued for its simplicity and adaptability.