When was Alex most popular?

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

What are the origins of the name Alex Maclean?

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

Alex Maclean — 173K & 8K bearers

Alex Maclean 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 Maclean: MacLean, also spelt McLean, is a Scottish Gaelic surname (Mac Gille Eathain, or, Mac Giolla Eóin in Irish Gaelic), Eóin being a Gaelic form of Johannes (John). The clan surname is an Anglicisation of the Scottish Gaelic "Mac Gille Eathain", a patronymic meaning "son of Gillean". Gillean means "the Servant of [Saint] John [the Baptist]"), named for Gilleathain na Tuaidh, known as "Gillian of the Battleaxe", a famous 5th century warrior. Eachan Reaganach and his brother Lachlan were descended from Gilleathain na Tuaidh, and are the progenitors of the clan. 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: Maclean

Celtic

MacLean, also spelt McLean, is a Scottish Gaelic surname (Mac Gille Eathain, or, Mac Giolla Eóin in Irish Gaelic), Eóin being a Gaelic form of Johannes (John). The clan surname is an Anglicisation of the Scottish Gaelic "Mac Gille Eathain", a patronymic meaning "son of Gillean". Gillean means "the Servant of [Saint] John [the Baptist]"), named for Gilleathain na Tuaidh, known as "Gillian of the Battleaxe", a famous 5th century warrior. Eachan Reaganach and his brother Lachlan were descended from Gilleathain na Tuaidh, and are the progenitors of the clan.

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 Maclean

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 Maclean:

1

Expression Number

Leadership and independence. This number suggests a self-reliant, ambitious and pioneering personality that forges its own path.

4

Soul Urge Number

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

6

Personality Number

Nurturing and responsibility. Associated with care, family values and a strong sense of duty towards loved ones.

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 Maclean?: The surname Maclean originates from Celtic. MacLean, also spelt McLean, is a Scottish Gaelic surname (Mac Gille Eathain, or, Mac Giolla Eóin in Irish Gaelic), Eóin being a Gaelic form of Johannes (John). The clan surname is an Anglicisation of the Scottish Gaelic "Mac Gille Eathain", a patronymic meaning "son of Gillean". Gillean means "the Servant of [Saint] John [the Baptist]"), named for Gilleathain na Tuaidh, known as "Gillian of the Battleaxe", a famous 5th century warrior. Eachan Reaganach and his brother Lachlan were descended from Gilleathain na Tuaidh, and are the progenitors of the clan.
What are the origins of the name Alex Maclean?: The name Alex Maclean combines two different traditions: the first name Alex has Greek roots, while the surname Maclean originates from Celtic.