Unisex name · Greek
Alexis
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: helper, defenderAlexis is a gender-neutral name that comes from Greek and means "helper, defender". It is used in English, Greek, French and Spanish.
- Meaning
- Helper, defender
- Origin
- Greek
- Gender
- Unisex
- Say it
- ah-LEK-sees (Spanish)
Meaning and origin of Alexis
As a gender-neutral name, Alexis comes from Greek and means "helper, defender". It is used in English, Greek and French.
As a girl's name, Alexis comes from Greek and means "helper, defender". It is used in English.
As a boy's name, Alexis comes from Greek and means "helper, defender". It is used in Spanish, English, French and Greek.
In Spanish, say ah-LEK-sees. Respellings are a guide; accents vary by region.
Alexis is also a surname: the 4,659th most common in the 2020 US Census, held by 7,379 people. See the most common last names.
Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names
Alexis on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Alexis on 3 lists.
“Helper, defender; Greek, a saint's name for centuries”
From Gender neutral names, classic and vintage unisex names
“Helper, defender; Greek. Say ah-LEK-sees”
From Mexican boy names, modern Mexican names for boys
“Helper, defender; Greek. Long a girls' favorite, though since 2024 slightly more US boys get it”
From Strong female names, warrior names for girls
How popular is Alexis?
In 2025, 547 girls and 584 boys in the US were named Alexis.
As a girl’s name
- US rank in 2025
- #554
- 547 babies, 340 per million girls
- Best rank
- #3 in 1999
- Most babies: 19,778 in 1998
- Babies since 1931
- At least 344,557
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 0 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 0 per million |
| 1900s | 0 per million |
| 1910s | 0 per million |
| 1920s | 0 per million |
| 1930s | 0 per million |
| 1940s | 92 per million |
| 1950s | 105 per million |
| 1960s | 91 per million |
| 1970s | 392 per million |
| 1980s | 1,532 per million |
| 1990s | 7,287 per million |
| 2000s | 7,081 per million |
| 2010s | 2,309 per million |
| 2020s | 484 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #118 | #143 | #179 | #235 | #311 | #342 | #359 | #448 | #501 | #554 |
As a boy’s name
- US rank in 2025
- #513
- 584 babies, 342 per million boys
- Best rank
- #103 in 2004
- 4,175 babies that year
- Babies since 1882
- At least 68,075
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 10 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 4 per million |
| 1900s | 4 per million |
| 1910s | 19 per million |
| 1920s | 13 per million |
| 1930s | 9 per million |
| 1940s | 10 per million |
| 1950s | 16 per million |
| 1960s | 49 per million |
| 1970s | 121 per million |
| 1980s | 273 per million |
| 1990s | 835 per million |
| 2000s | 1,404 per million |
| 2010s | 592 per million |
| 2020s | 365 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #350 | #397 | #445 | #450 | #481 | #469 | #458 | #472 | #484 | #513 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.
Other forms of Alexis
The same name in other languages and spellings, with the same meaning and origin.
- AlexeiDefender, helper (Greek, boy)
Names spelled like Alexis
One or two letters apart, but from a different root: they look alike without sharing a meaning.
- AlexDefender, protector (Greek, unisex)
- AlexaDefender of men (Greek, girl)
- AlekosDefender of men (Greek, boy)
- AloisFamous warrior (Germanic, boy)
Names with a similar meaning
- AlexanderDefender of men (Greek, boy)
- AlexandraDefender of men (Greek, girl)
- SandraDefender of men (Greek, girl)
- AleksandraDefender of the people (Greek, girl)
- AlexandreDefender of men (Greek, boy)
- AlexandrinaDefender of men (Greek, girl)
- AlistairDefender of men (Greek, boy)
- SandyDefender of men (Greek, boy)
- SashaDefender of men (Greek, unisex)
- XanderShort form of Alexander, defender of men (Greek, boy)
Middle names for Alexis
Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a shorter length, so the full name flows.
More names from Greek
- LucasMan from Lucania (Greek, boy)
- ChristianFollower of Christ (Greek, boy)
- ElenaForm of Helen, probably from Greek torch (Greek, girl)
- IrenePeace, tranquility (Greek, girl)
- IrisA rainbow (Greek, girl)
- LeonA lion (Greek, boy)
- SofiaWisdom, skill (Greek, girl)
- SophieWisdom, skill (Greek, girl)
- ZoeLife, living (Greek, girl)
- AnastasiaResurrection, rising again (Greek, girl)
Alexis: common questions
What does the name Alexis mean?
Alexis comes from Greek and means "helper, defender". It also has another origin: the same meaning in another language.
Is Alexis a boy or girl name?
Alexis is used for both boys and girls. In 2025, 547 girls and 584 boys in the US were named Alexis, according to Social Security Administration data.
Where does the name Alexis come from?
Alexis comes from Greek and means "helper, defender". Today it is used in English, Greek, French and Spanish.
How do you pronounce Alexis?
In Spanish, say ah-LEK-sees. Pronunciation can vary between languages and regions.
How popular is the name Alexis?
Alexis ranked #554 in the US in 2025, with 547 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
What are other forms of Alexis?
Forms of Alexis with the same meaning and origin include Alexei (Russian).
What middle names go with Alexis?
Middle names that flow well with Alexis include Chase, Eliza, Eve, Grant and Jack. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.