Alexandria
/ˌæl.ɪɡ.ˈzæn.dɹi.ə/
Alexandria is the feminine form of Alexander, from the Greek Alexandros, combining alexein (“to defend”) and aner (“man”), meaning “defender of men.” It is also the name of the ancient Egyptian city founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC.
Alexander the Great founded numerous cities named Alexandria across his empire as he moved east, but the Egyptian city — with its legendary library and lighthouse — became the most famous. The name carried imperial prestige for centuries.
Alexandria peaked at No. 69 in 1993 with 5,027 births. In 2024 it ranks No. 463 with 675 births, well down from its 1990s heights.
What the name Alexandria means
Famous bearers include US Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (1989-), who brought the name back into public consciousness from 2018 onward. The ancient city remains a UNESCO-recognised site of historical significance.
Six syllables — al-ig-ZAN-dree-ah — with stress on the third beat. The full form has a grand, classical weight; it almost always generates a shortened form in daily use.
Parents choosing Alexandria over the shorter Alexandra often want the extra syllable’s formality and the direct link to one of history’s most famous cities.
Common shortenings include Alex, Alexa, Lexi, and Allie. The Spanish form is Alejandra and the Italian is Alessandria.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Alexandria
Alexandria - similar names
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