Alexei
Primarily a boy's name of Russian origin with 1,333 recorded births. Also given to 117 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A transliteration of the Russian male given name Алексе́й (Alekséj), equivalent to Alexius.
Alexei is a boy's and girl's baby name of Russian origin, a transliteration of the Russian name Aleksey, derived from the Greek Alexios, meaning 'defender' or 'helper' — from the Greek alexein, 'to defend.' It has been borne by Russian tsars and Orthodox saints.
Alexei carries a distinctly Eastern European and Russian identity that sets it apart from Alexander or Alex. The Romanov dynasty produced Alexei Nikolaevich, the young Tsarevich who became a symbol of both the dynasty's tragic end and the broader story of Russian history. In contemporary use, Alexei has a cosmopolitan, intellectual appeal.
EtymologyShow more
Though Alexei dates back to 1961 in U.S. records, its etymological path is not always straightforward. Names that predate modern naming databases sometimes resist easy classification — they may have been oral traditions, regional family names, or adaptations that were never systematically recorded. The Russian classification provides a starting point, but the full derivation likely involves more nuance than a single label can capture.
Alexei’s 1,333 recorded births provide enough of a footprint to establish it as a real, chosen name in American culture — not a typo or a one-off, but a deliberate selection by hundreds of families.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Alexei climbed 209 spots in the last 20 years — from #2953 to #2744.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 218 | #2886 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 351 | #3243 | — |
| 2000s | 378 | #2855 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 205 | #4086 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 74 | #4477 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 83 | #4067 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 24 | #3318 | — |
The Story of Alexei
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2021, Alexei is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Alexei are most likely born between 2011 and 2024.
How rare is Alexei?
Only about 1 in every 76,596 babies born in 2024 was named Alexei — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1961, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2000s with 378 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Alexei by the numbers
- Would fill 28 school buses
- Meeting one Alexei per day would take 3.7 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(56 years, 1961–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 47 | #2744 |
| 2023 | 34 | #3416 |
| 2022 | 45 | #2829 |
| 2021 | 51 | #2552 |
| 2020 | 41 | #2887 |
| 2019 | 47 | #2696 |
| 2018 | 37 | #3107 |
| 2017 | 37 | #3126 |
| 2016 | 34 | #3296 |
| 2015 | 39 | #2968 |
| 2014 | 35 | #3155 |
| 2013 | 32 | #3341 |
| 2012 | 25 | #4006 |
| 2011 | 29 | #3609 |
| 2010 | 36 | #3129 |
| 2009 | 29 | #3643 |
| 2008 | 40 | #2950 |
| 2007 | 27 | #3797 |
| 2006 | 38 | #2934 |
| 2005 | 45 | #2496 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Alexei as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Alexei has also been given to 117 girls in the U.S. since 1993.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alexei a boy's or girl's name?
When was Alexei most popular?
How popular is the name Alexei?
Can Alexei be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1961–2024