Alex

Boys

Best rank #83 (2009) · ranked in 5 years

With a peak of #83 in 2009, Alex appeared in the rankings across 2008-2012.

It eased from #84 in 2008 to #98 in 2012.

It does not appear in the top ranks in the most recent data (2025).

5,174 newborns received the name Alex in 2009, its peak year.

Alex was most popular around 2009, making it characteristic of the 2000s generation.

Rank by year

11020200820102012
  1. 2012983,870
  2. 2011954,041
  3. 2010934,442
  4. 2009835,174
  5. 2008845,400

Similar names

If Alex is on your shortlist, Ava, Alexander, Amelia are worth a look too, given the similar sound and comparable popularity trends.

Where Alex is most popular

In 2025, Alex was recorded in 41 of the 51 US jurisdictions the SSA reports on, with 1,518 births nationwide.

The largest share came from California at 264 births, 17.4% of the national total, where it ranked #265 that year.

By census region the name skews South, which accounts for 42.2% of Alex births, against 15.0% Northeast, 16.4% Midwest, 26.4% West.

State rankings spread more than the national figure suggests: Alex placed as high as #247 in Rhode Island and as low as #905 in Utah.

The 10 jurisdictions without a figure are not zeros. SSA withholds any name with fewer than 5 occurrences in a given state and year to protect privacy.

Top states, 2025

  1. 1California264 · #265 there
  2. 2Texas196 · #379 there
  3. 3Florida153 · #263 there
  4. 4New York84 · #441 there
  5. 5Illinois56 · #395 there

Share by census region

  • Northeast15.0%
  • Midwest16.4%
  • South42.2%
  • West26.4%

Shares are of this name's national total, not of each state's births. SSA withholds any name under 5 occurrences per state and year. Browse all states

Frequently asked questions

Is Alex a popular name?
Alex reached a best rank of #83 in 2009 and has charted in 5 years.
Where does Alex rank now?
Alex does not appear in the top ranks in the most recent data (2025).
Is Alex a boy or girl name?
It is recorded primarily as a boys' name.
When was Alex most popular?
Alex peaked around 2009.

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Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) - Popular Baby Names (national)