Declining since 2000, #2,604 for boys today.
Popularity of Alek since 1916
Babies named Alek per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 15 |
| 1920s | 7 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 25 |
| 1980s | 198 |
| 1990s | 1,136 |
| 2000s | 1,388 |
| 2010s | 1,257 |
| 2020s | 537 |
Meaning & origin
Alek is a concise Slavic form of Alexander, meaning 'defender of man.' While its U.S. usage has never been widespread, it reached its peak popularity in 1999 and has since followed a falling trajectory. In 2025, it ranked 2604 with approximately 1 in 34,162 newborn boys receiving the name. The name is most commonly found in Arizona, Texas, and California, reflecting communities with Slavic heritage. Its crisp, strong sound and cross-cultural appeal make it a distinctive choice that balances familiarity with individuality.
Alek is a Slavic short form of Aleksander, itself from the Greek Alexandros, meaning 'defender of man.' The name spread through Eastern Europe and gained some usage in the United States, particularly among families with Slavic heritage.
Where Alek is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Alek” around the world
Where Alek lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
35
babies in 2024
Quebec
8
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Alek
Names that share Alek's style, for a brother or sister.
