Alexander (disambiguation)

Alexander is a common male first name and a less well-known surname. Its origin is from Greek Alexandros (??????????), composed of alex-, the compound-form of alexis "refuge, protection, defence" and -andros, the compound form of an?r "man", with a meaning of more or less "protector of men". It is either a rare type of "inverse tatpurusha" compound, with the modifier in second position (the cognate Sanskrit tatpurusha being *{{IAST|nararak?a}}, c.f. {{IAST|nararak?asa}}, e.g. Ramayana 6.33.45; the exact Sanskrit counterpart would be *{{IAST|rak?inara}} from PIE {{PIE|hleks(i)-hnros}}), or a worn down terpsimbrotos type compound, with an originally verbal meaning "he protects men".

Related Topics:
First name - Surname - Greek - Tatpurusha - Sanskrit - Ramayana - PIE - Terpsimbrotos

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It was one of the titles ("epithets") given to the Greek goddess Hera, who was believed to come to the aid of warriors in battle. In the Iliad, the character Paris is known also as Alexander.

Related Topics:
Hera - Iliad - Paris

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The name's popularity was spread by the military conquests of King Alexander III of Macedon, known as Alexander the Great (????? ??????????). He was also known as Alexander The Conqueror.

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The female version of the name is Alexandra.

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Nicknames: Alec, Alle, Alecu (Romania), Alex, Allie, Lex, Sander, Sandra (Female only), Sandro (Italy), Sandu (Romania), Sandy, (also female) Sanya (Slavic), Sascha (German, common in Austria), Sasha (Russian affectionate form), Shura (also in Russia), Xan, Xander, Xandi;

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The surname bears various forms depending on the country. In all but a few cases, these forms directly correspond with the form of the first name used in that country. For example, the English version is generally spelled Alexander, the Italian version of the surname is spelled Alessandro, and so on.

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