Alex

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /ˈælɪks/

Origin

Short form of Alexander, from Latin Alexander, from Ancient Greek Ἀλέξανδρος 'he who wards off men', i.e. protector, possibly of Hittite origin; and from Alexius, from the same Ancient Greek root, alexios "helping, defending". These two origins of Alex are indistinguishable in most languages.

Full definition of Alex

Proper noun

1. .
• 2006 Kate Atkinson, One Good Turn, Black Swan(2007), ISBN 9780552772440, page 81:Martin was pretty dull as names went but 'Alex Blake' had a certain dash to it. His publishers hadn't considered Martin's own name to be 'punchy' enough. The pseudonym Alex Blake was chosen after much deliberation, most of which excluded Martin. 'A strong, no-nonsense sort of name', his editor said, 'to compensate'. For what, she didn't say.
2. , short form of Alexandra or the female name Alexis, or a spelling variant of Alix.
• 2008 Philip Hensher, The Northern Clemency, Harpercollins, ISBN 9780007174799, page 588'I had a Christmas card from someone calling herself Alex the year before last,' Daniel said. 'I couldn't think who it was.''Oh, yes, she's changed again,' Alice said. 'I never got used to Alexandra, either. It never occurred to me that Sandra was short for Alexandra - anyway, she's Sandra on her birth certificate.'

Anagrams

• axel, Axel
• axle