Alejandro – Name Meaning
The name Alejandro is a Spanish form of the name Alexander, which is derived from the Greek name Alexandros. The meaning of the name Alexander is “defender of men” or “protector of mankind”. It is a popular name in many countries around the world, including Spain, Mexico, and the United States.
History and Origin
The origin of the name Alejandro can be traced back to ancient Greece. In Greek mythology, Alexander was the son of King Philip II of Macedon and Olympias, daughter of King Neoptolemus I of Epirus. He was one of the most successful military commanders in history and conquered much of what is now known as Europe and Asia Minor. His conquests spread Greek culture throughout the region.
The name Alexander has been used for centuries in various forms throughout Europe. In Spanish-speaking countries, it is commonly spelled Alejandro. The popularity of this spelling has grown over time and it is now one of the most common names in Latin America.
Popularity
Alejandro is a very popular name in many Spanish-speaking countries. According to data from 2018, it was the second most popular male name in Mexico and the fourth most popular male name in Spain. It was also among the top 100 baby names in the United States that year.
In addition to its popularity as a given name, Alejandro is also a popular surname in many Spanish-speaking countries. It is derived from the given name and means “son of Alejandro”.
Famous People Named Alejandro
There are many famous people who have been given the name Alejandro throughout history. Some notable examples include:
- Alejandro Sanz, a Spanish singer-songwriter who has won numerous awards for his music.
- Alejandro Amenábar, an award-winning Spanish film director.
- Alejandro González Iñárritu, an Academy Award-winning Mexican film director.
Variations of Alejandro
The name Alejandro has several variations depending on language and country:
- Alexandre (French)
- Alexander (English)
- Alessandro (Italian)
- Aleksandr (Russian)