Alex Gilroy

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Alex Gilroy — Greek
173K People worldwide
United States Most common in
1970s Peak popularity
Gender
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Alex Gilroy is a name that combines Greek origins. The first name Alex is a masculine given name of Greek origin. Alex is a unisex name, employed either as a hypocoristic or a standalone given name, derived from the Greek element ἀλέξειν (aléxein), meaning "to defend" or "to protect." Universally recognized as a diminutive for Alexander and Alexandra, Alex has, in contemporary usage, established itself as an independent given name for both males and females. Additionally, it is associated with Alexis. The surname Gilroy: Gilroy is a surname that appeared in Irish as Mac Giolla Rua, which means "son of the red-haired youth". The name Gilroy has seen many modifications since it was first devised. The surname Gilroy was first found in County Clare (Irish: An Clár), on the west coast of Ireland, in the province of Munster. It was that of the chiefs of Clonderlaw, conjecturally descended from Tiobraid, son of Iral Glunmhar, King of Ulster. The scribes and church officials of the Middle Ages who recorded names in official documents spelled the names as they sounded. Alex is a distinctive first name, carried by approximately 173K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Alex reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Alex

Greek

Alex is a unisex name, employed either as a hypocoristic or a standalone given name, derived from the Greek element ἀλέξειν (aléxein), meaning "to defend" or "to protect." Universally recognized as a diminutive for Alexander and Alexandra, Alex has, in contemporary usage, established itself as an independent given name for both males and females. Additionally, it is associated with Alexis.

Surname: Gilroy

Meaning: son of the red-haired youth

Irish

Gilroy is a surname that appeared in Irish as Mac Giolla Rua, which means "son of the red-haired youth". The name Gilroy has seen many modifications since it was first devised. The surname Gilroy was first found in County Clare (Irish: An Clár), on the west coast of Ireland, in the province of Munster. It was that of the chiefs of Clonderlaw, conjecturally descended from Tiobraid, son of Iral Glunmhar, King of Ulster. The scribes and church officials of the Middle Ages who recorded names in official documents spelled the names as they sounded.

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Geographic Distribution

The first name Alex is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 52%
United Kingdom 27%
Australia 13%
Canada 9%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Alex by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
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Notable People Named Alex Gilroy

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Alex Gilroy:

11
Expression Number

Intuition and inspiration (Master Number 11). Amplifies spiritual awareness, creative vision and sensitivity.

3
Soul Urge Number

Creativity and self-expression. Associated with artistic flair, optimism and sociability — a natural communicator.

8
Personality Number

Ambition and material success. Represents power, business acumen and the drive to achieve significant goals.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Alex?
The first name Alex originates from Greek. Alex is a unisex name, employed either as a hypocoristic or a standalone given name, derived from the Greek element ἀλέξειν (aléxein), meaning "to defend" or "to protect." Universally recognized as a diminutive for Alexander and Alexandra, Alex has, in contemporary usage, established itself as an independent given name for both males and females. Additionally, it is associated with Alexis.
When was Alex most popular?
The name Alex reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname Gilroy?
The surname Gilroy originates from Irish. Gilroy is a surname that appeared in Irish as Mac Giolla Rua, which means "son of the red-haired youth". The name Gilroy has seen many modifications since it was first devised. The surname Gilroy was first found in County Clare (Irish: An Clár), on the west coast of Ireland, in the province of Munster. It was that of the chiefs of Clonderlaw, conjecturally descended from Tiobraid, son of Iral Glunmhar, King of Ulster. The scribes and church officials of the Middle Ages who recorded names in official documents spelled the names as they sounded.
What are the origins of the name Alex Gilroy?
The name Alex Gilroy combines two different traditions: the first name Alex has Greek roots, while the surname Gilroy originates from Irish.
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