Alec

Meaning & origin

Alec is a solidly established short form of Alexander that has carved out its own identity, especially in the United States. It first appeared in Social Security records in 1880, and its popularity peaked in 1995 before beginning a gradual decline. In 2025, it ranked 977th, a far cry from its peak but still a familiar choice. The name is borne by roughly 1 in every 7,299 boys born that year. While it has never been among the top hundred, Alec saw its greatest concentration in the 1990s, a decade when many short, genial 'A' names like Alex and Andy thrived. Geographically, it has been most common in Oklahoma, Arizona, and California. Alec's trajectory since 1995 has been steadily downward, reflecting a broader shift away from names that feel like dated nicknames. Nonetheless, it remains a clean, straightforward choice for parents who want a name with Greek heritage and a Scottish twist.

Alec is a Scottish diminutive of Alexander, derived from the Greek Alexandros, from alexo ('to defend') and aner ('man'). It has been used as an independent given name in Scotland and England since the 19th century, gaining popularity in the United States particularly in the mid-to-late 20th century.