Aleksei
Primarily a boy's name of Greek origin with 444 recorded births. Also given to 12 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A transliteration of the Russian male given name Алексе́й (Alekséj).
Aleksei is a boy's and girl's baby name of Greek origin, the Russian transliteration of Alexei, from the Greek Alexios, derived from alexein (to defend), meaning 'defender' or 'protector.'
Aleksei is the spelling used in Russian-language transliteration of the name carried by several Russian tsars — most notably Tsarevich Alexei Nikolaevich, the hemophiliac son of Tsar Nicholas II, whose illness played a tragic role in Russia's revolutionary history. The name also belongs to Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov, the first human to walk in space. This spelling immediately signals Russian heritage and history.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Aleksei is a boy's name with a focused stretch of recorded use (1994–2024). Its Greek roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.
Today, Aleksei is an active part of the American naming landscape (ranked #5440), continuing to accumulate its own cultural meaning with each new child who carries it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Aleksei was #3864 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #5440, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 64 | #6683 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 133 | #6645 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 175 | #5168 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 72 | #5491 | — |
The Story of Aleksei
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2001, Aleksei is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Aleksei are most likely born between 1994 and 2011.
How rare is Aleksei?
Only about 1 in every 211,765 babies born in 2024 was named Aleksei — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1994, peaked in the 2000s with 175 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Aleksei by the numbers
- Would fill 9 school buses
- Meeting one Aleksei per day would take 1.2 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(31 years, 1994–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 17 | #5440 |
| 2023 | 13 | #6536 |
| 2022 | 9 | #8331 |
| 2021 | 11 | #7114 |
| 2020 | 14 | #5994 |
| 2019 | 15 | #5823 |
| 2018 | 15 | #5781 |
| 2017 | 9 | #8175 |
| 2016 | 19 | #4951 |
| 2015 | 7 | #9614 |
| 2014 | 9 | #8159 |
| 2013 | 11 | #7040 |
| 2012 | 11 | #7074 |
| 2011 | 18 | #4986 |
| 2010 | 19 | #4850 |
| 2009 | 13 | #6441 |
| 2008 | 15 | #5773 |
| 2007 | 18 | #4999 |
| 2006 | 23 | #4105 |
| 2005 | 18 | #4629 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Aleksei as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Aleksei has also been given to 12 girls in the U.S. since 1996.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aleksei a boy's or girl's name?
When was Aleksei most popular?
How popular is the name Aleksei?
Can Aleksei be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1994–2024