Aleksandar is a masculine given name of Serbian origin. It is composed of two elements: "aleks" meaning "defending men," and "-andar" which denotes the bearer is a protector or defender. Thus, Aleksandar means "protector of mankind." This name has been popular in Serbia for centuries and was borne by several prominent figures throughout history, including Saint Aleksandar Nevski, a 13th-century Russian prince and folk hero.
The name first gained prominence during the Middle Ages when it was used by members of the Serbian royal family. The most notable bearer was Tsar Aleksandar Karađorđević (1888-1934), who ruled Serbia from 1921 to 1926 and later became king of Yugoslavia in exile during World War II.
Today, Aleksandar remains a popular choice among Serbian parents and has also gained some international recognition due to its strong meaning and appealing sound. It is often shortened or nicknamed as "Saša" or "Alex." Despite its foreign origin, Aleksandar can fit well with various Western cultures and languages as it follows standard phonetic rules.
In terms of name days, Orthodox Christians celebrate Saint Aleksandar Nevski on December 12th according to the Julian calendar (which corresponds to December 25th in the Gregorian calendar). However, it is essential not to confuse this saint with Alexander the Great, as they are entirely separate figures with distinct backgrounds and historical significance.
The name Aleksandar has a fascinating history of popularity in the United States over the past five decades, as evidenced by the statistics provided.
In the early years, from 1967 to 1985, the number of births with the name Aleksandar fluctuated between 5 and 18 per year. The late 1970s saw a noticeable increase in popularity, reaching a peak of 18 births in 1979.
The 1990s marked a significant turning point for the name Aleksandar's popularity in the United States. Starting with 6 births in 1993, there was a consistent rise in popularity over the next decade, peaking at 56 births in 2005. This trend continued into the early 2000s, with the number of births reaching an all-time high of 51 in 2003.
After the peak in the early 2000s, the popularity of the name Aleksandar began to decline gradually. From 2006 onwards, the number of births dropped below 50 per year, with notable low points of 28 and 24 births in 2016 and 2023 respectively.
Overall, since 1967 until 2023, there have been a total of 1390 births registered with the name Aleksandar in the United States. This data demonstrates how the popularity of this unique name has evolved over time, providing valuable insights into naming trends and patterns during different periods.