Alexei – Name Meaning
Alexei is a Russian name derived from the Greek name “Alexios”, which means “defender of man”. It is a popular name in Russia and other Slavic countries, and has been used as a given name since the Middle Ages. The name Alexei is often associated with strength, courage, and loyalty.
History and Origin
The origin of the name Alexei can be traced back to the Greek language. The original form of the name was “Alexios”, which was derived from the Greek word “alexo” meaning “to defend” or “to protect”. This was then adapted into the Russian language as “Alexei”. The name has been used in Russia since at least the 12th century, when it was first recorded in documents.
Popularity
The name Alexei is quite popular in Russia and other Slavic countries. According to data from 2018, it was the 11th most popular male name in Russia. It is also popular in other countries such as Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and Moldova.
Famous People Named Alexei
There are many famous people who have borne the name Alexei over the years. These include:
- Alexei Navalny – Russian opposition leader and anti-corruption activist.
- Alexei Yagudin – Russian figure skater and Olympic gold medalist.
- Alexei Leonov – Soviet cosmonaut who became the first human to walk in space.
- Alexei Sayle – British comedian and actor.
- Alexei Nemov – Russian gymnast and four-time Olympic gold medalist.
Variations of the Name
The name Alexei can also be spelled in various ways depending on the language or country. Some common variations include: Aleksei (Russian), Oleksiy (Ukrainian), Aleksi (Finnish), Aleksa (Serbian), Aleksije (Croatian), Aleš (Czech/Slovak), Olexiy (Belarusian).
