When was Alex most popular?

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

What are the origins of the name Alex Reilly?

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

Alex Reilly — 173K & 41K bearers

Alex Reilly 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 Reilly: Reilly ( ) is an Irish surname (other forms include O'Reilly), and is derived from the Gaelic Ó Raghallaigh Sept that was based in Counties Cavan and Westmeath. Reilly is among the ten most frequently found surnames in Ireland and although they are very widespread they can be mostly found in the region of the ancestral homeland. The Riley spelling is an anglicised version and not found originally in Ireland. 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: Reilly

Celtic

Reilly ( ) is an Irish surname (other forms include O'Reilly), and is derived from the Gaelic Ó Raghallaigh Sept that was based in Counties Cavan and Westmeath. Reilly is among the ten most frequently found surnames in Ireland and although they are very widespread they can be mostly found in the region of the ancestral homeland. The Riley spelling is an anglicised version and not found originally in Ireland.

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 Reilly

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 Reilly:

6

Expression Number

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

2

Soul Urge Number

Cooperation and sensitivity. A diplomatic, gentle nature with strong empathy, thriving in partnerships and harmony.

4

Personality Number

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

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 Reilly?: The surname Reilly originates from Celtic. Reilly ( ) is an Irish surname (other forms include O'Reilly), and is derived from the Gaelic Ó Raghallaigh Sept that was based in Counties Cavan and Westmeath. Reilly is among the ten most frequently found surnames in Ireland and although they are very widespread they can be mostly found in the region of the ancestral homeland. The Riley spelling is an anglicised version and not found originally in Ireland.
What are the origins of the name Alex Reilly?: The name Alex Reilly combines two different traditions: the first name Alex has Greek roots, while the surname Reilly originates from Celtic.