Alec
Alec was the 977th most popular name for boys in 2025, given to 234 babies. Its best year was 1994, when it ranked 109th; the most babies were born in 1995 (3,420). Over the last ten years it has moved down 521 places. More babies were named Alec in the 1990s than in any other decade.
Meaning short form of Alexander · Scottish, Greek
Say it AL-ik /ˈælɪk/
- Rank in 2025
- #977 boys, down 389 places since 2020
- Babies in 2025
- 234boys
- Girls and boys
- Almost always a boy’s name2021–2025
- Peak year
- 19953,420 babies
- Total since 1880
- 55,489babies recorded
What does the name Alec mean?
Alec is a short form of Alexander, originally Scottish. Alexander is from Greek Alexandros, made of alexein 'to defend, protect' and anēr, andros 'man', so 'defender of men'. The name was spread by Alexander the Great and was a royal name in Scotland, where Alec and Alick became common short forms. The actors Alec Guinness and Alec Baldwin are well-known bearers.
ἀλέξειν (alexein) (Ancient Greek, “to defend”)ἀνήρ (anēr) (Ancient Greek, “man”)
How sure is this? Well established.
Related names: Alexander, Alex, Alick, Alexis.
See also: Greek names, names that mean protector.
Sources for this meaning
- Wiktionary, entry 'Alec', Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0; facts restated, no text reused)
- Dictionary of Medieval Names from European Sources, ed. S. L. Uckelman, Edition 2023 no. 1, s.v. 'Alexander', DMNES (Durham University)
Alec popularity since 1880
A few girls are given the name too: 337 since 1984.
| Year | Rank (boys) | Babies (boys) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #977 | 234 |
| 2020 | #588 | 470 |
| 2010 | #417 | 669 |
| 2000 | #156 | 2,479 |
| 1990 | #271 | 978 |
| 1980 | #782 | 125 |
| 1970 | #796 | 105 |
| 1960 | #764 | 100 |
| 1950 | #977 | 50 |
| 1940 | #1,183 | 32 |
| 1930 | #1,151 | 37 |
| 1920 | #816 | 67 |
| 1910 | #708 | 18 |
| 1900 | #650 | 15 |
| 1890 | #603 | 11 |
| 1880 | #571 | 11 |
How popular is Alec, counting every spelling?
Alec is the most common spelling of a name family that ranked #824 for boys in 2025 once every spelling is counted together, compared with #977 for Alec on its own. Together these spellings went to 284 boys in 2025.
Spellings count together when they sound the same in American English and are used for the same sex; nicknames and forms that sound different (such as Theo and Theodore) are kept apart. How we group spellings.
How many kids will share the name Alec?
234 of the 3,606,400 babies born in the US in 2025 were named Alec (0.06 per 1,000 births). For a boy named Alec born in 2025, the chance that another child with the same name is in a class of 20 children the same age is under 1 in 50. If every grade liked the name as much as the 2025 babies do, only about one elementary school in 36 (of 430 pupils) would have a child named Alec.
Shares of all registered births (NCHS); classes assumed to be children born the same year. How we estimate this.
How old are people named Alec?
About 51,700 people born in the US named Alec are alive today, with a median age of 28; half are between 22 and 32. That makes Alec mostly worn by children and young adults.
Babies given the name each year (SSA) times the share of that birth year still alive (SSA life tables). Counts people born in the US only. Method.
Alec by state
How common Alec was among boys born in each state in 2021–2025. It is notably more common than nationally in Arizona (1.9×), California (1.6×), Florida (1.6×), Texas (1.5×). In 19 states fewer than five boys a year got the name, too few for SSA to publish, so those states show as zero.
Names with a similar history
These names rose and fell in step with Alec: their share of US boys followed the most similar curve since 1880. If you like Alec, they share its era and feel.
Middle names for Alec · Sibling names for Alec
Alec is also a nickname for Alexander.
Questions about the name Alec
What does Alec mean?
Alec means “short form of Alexander” (Scottish, Greek origin). Certainty: well established.
How popular is the name Alec?
Alec was the 977th most popular name for boys in 2025, given to 234 babies. Its best year was 1994, when it ranked 109th; the most babies were born in 1995 (3,420). Over the last ten years it has moved down 521 places. More babies were named Alec in the 1990s than in any other decade.
Is Alec a boy or girl name?
In 2021–2025, almost always a boy’s name given the name Alec in the US.
Where is Alec most popular?
In 2021–2025, Alec was most common in Arizona (0.34 per 1,000 boys), followed by New Mexico and California.