Alec
/ˈæl.ɪk/
Alec is a short form of Alexander, from the Greek Alexandros: alexein (to defend) plus aner/andros (man): "defender of men." Alexander the Great (356-323 BC) made the name one of the most powerful in recorded history, and its diminutives - Alex, Alec, Alick, Lex - have each developed independent standing across different eras and cultures.
Alec specifically became the preferred short form in British English, particularly in Scotland. Sir Alec Guinness (1914-2000), the British actor who won an Academy Award for The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) and became beloved worldwide as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the original Star Wars trilogy, is the definitive 20th-century bearer. His understatement and range defined a particular English acting style for generations.
In the United States, Alec Baldwin (born 1958) - actor, producer, and cultural presence across four decades - gave the name American mainstream visibility. His career from Beetlejuice (1988) through 30 Rock (2006-2013) kept Alec in active American naming consciousness.
What the name Alec means
Alec has two syllables: AL-ek. It has a clean, confident quality - shorter and crisper than Alex, with a slight British edge that sets it apart. It sits comfortably as both a formal given name and a nickname for the full Alexander.
Alec ranked No. 878 in the United States in 2024 with approximately 354 births. It peaked in the late 1990s, closely tracking both Alec Baldwin's prime years and the broader Alex/Alexander wave.
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Alec
Alec - similar names
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