When was Alex most popular?

The name Alex reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.

What are the origins of the name Alex Layton?

The name Alex Layton combines two different traditions: the first name Alex has Greek roots, while the surname Layton originates from English.

Alex Layton — 173K & 20K bearers

Alex Layton 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 Layton: Layton is a surname derived from various place names in England. Two known etymologies stem from place names in Lancashire (in Blackpool) and another in North Yorkshire. The former was named in Old English as ‘settlement by the watercourse’, from Old English lād ‘watercourse’ + tūn ‘enclosure’, ‘settlement’; the latter as ‘leek enclosure’ or ‘herb garden’, from lēac ‘leek’ + tūn. Also often spelled as Leighton. Bentley Layton (1941–2025), American religious scholar Bob Layton (born 1953), American comic book artist Caleb R. Layton (1851–1930), U.S. Representative from Delaware Caleb S. 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: Layton

English

Layton is a surname derived from various place names in England. Two known etymologies stem from place names in Lancashire (in Blackpool) and another in North Yorkshire. The former was named in Old English as ‘settlement by the watercourse’, from Old English lād ‘watercourse’ + tūn ‘enclosure’, ‘settlement’; the latter as ‘leek enclosure’ or ‘herb garden’, from lēac ‘leek’ + tūn. Also often spelled as Leighton. Bentley Layton (1941–2025), American religious scholar Bob Layton (born 1953), American comic book artist Caleb R. Layton (1851–1930), U.S. Representative from Delaware Caleb S.

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

Notable People Named Alex Layton

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 Layton:

3

Expression Number

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

4

Soul Urge Number

Stability and hard work. Represents practicality, reliability and dedication — someone who builds solid foundations.

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 Layton?: The surname Layton originates from English. Layton is a surname derived from various place names in England. Two known etymologies stem from place names in Lancashire (in Blackpool) and another in North Yorkshire. The former was named in Old English as ‘settlement by the watercourse’, from Old English lād ‘watercourse’ + tūn ‘enclosure’, ‘settlement’; the latter as ‘leek enclosure’ or ‘herb garden’, from lēac ‘leek’ + tūn. Also often spelled as Leighton. Bentley Layton (1941–2025), American religious scholar Bob Layton (born 1953), American comic book artist Caleb R. Layton (1851–1930), U.S. Representative from Delaware Caleb S.
What are the origins of the name Alex Layton?: The name Alex Layton combines two different traditions: the first name Alex has Greek roots, while the surname Layton originates from English.