Aleksander
Say it: al-ek-SAN-der/a.lɛkˈsan.dɛr/
BoyMeans usually explained as "defender of people"10 letters4 syllables
#348
in Ireland (2025)
#336 with spellings combined
11
babies in 2025
#159
best rank (2009)
441
babies since 2006
Down 115
10-year rank change
Aleksander through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 11 | #336 |
| 2024 | 11 | #339 |
| 2023 | 7 | #460 |
| 2022 | 17 | #266 |
| 2021 | 8 | #400 |
| 2020 | 17 | #262 |
| 2019 | 21 | #228 |
| 2018 | 33 | #172 |
| 2017 | 23 | #234 |
| 2016 | 25 | #218 |
| 2015 | 25 | #221 |
| 2014 | 30 | #193 |
| 2013 | 26 | #219 |
| 2012 | 41 | #163 |
| 2011 | 29 | #201 |
| 2010 | 40 | #169 |
| 2009 | 39 | #159 |
| 2008 | 24 | #219 |
| 2007 | 9 | #342 |
| 2006 | 5 | #423 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Aleksander mean?
Usually explained as "defender of people"
Polish form of Alexander, from the Greek Alexandros.
Say it right
alekSANder
In Polish the stress falls on the third syllable, and the final r is rolled.
The story of Aleksander
Aleksander is the Polish form of Alexander. Alexander comes from the Greek Alexandros, usually explained as joining a word meaning to defend with a word for men or people. Its most famous bearer was Alexander the Great, the king of Macedonia who built one of the largest empires of the ancient world. In Polish the everyday short form is Olek.
Aleksander first appears in the CSO records in 2006, a couple of years after many Polish families came to live in Ireland. It rose quickly and reached its best rank, number 159, in 2009. Its biggest year for numbers was 2012, with 41 boys. It has been given less often since, and 11 boys were named Aleksander in 2025. The CSO counts it separately from Alexander, which is far more common here. In Northern Ireland its best rank was number 250 in 2017.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Aleksander (Polish proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Alexander
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- NISRA, First Forenames Given to Babies Registered in Northern Ireland
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Nicknames
Olek
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Aleksander | 11 | 441 |
In Northern Ireland
Not in the 2025 list. Best rank #250 (2017); 54 babies since 2008.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.