Alexander in Chinese
Alexander in Chinese is 亚历山大 (Yà Lì Shān Dà).
- Origin
- Greek
- Meaning
- defender of the people
Etymologically, Alexander is Greek and is commonly glossed as "defender of the people". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 1990s. Names sharing the same root meaning include Alexandra, Alejandro, Alexandria.
3 ways to write Alexander
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
亚历山大
Yà Lì Shān Dà
The standard transliteration of Alexander: 亚 (yà, "Asia; second (phonetic 'a/ya')"), 历 (lì, "to experience; history"), 山 (shān, "mountain"), 大 (dà, "big, great"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
The mapping is one character per syllable: 亚 (yà) carries "a", 历 (lì) carries "le", 山 (shān) carries "xan", 大 (dà) carries "der". The tone contour is 4-4-1-4 (falling, falling, high level, falling).
Character breakdown
16 strokes total (simplified)- 亚
yà
Tone 4 · 6 strokes (simplified)
Asia; second (phonetic 'a/ya')
- 历
lì
Tone 4 · 4 strokes (simplified)
to experience; history
- 山
shān
Tone 1 · 3 strokes (simplified)
mountain
- 大
dà
Tone 4 · 3 strokes (simplified)
big, great
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
志刚
Zhì Gāng
Inspired by "defender of the people": 志 (zhì, "will, aspiration") + 刚 (gāng, "firm, strong"), expressing strength and courage.
Why these characters?
Because Alexander is linked to "defender", the name leads with 志 (will, aspiration); 刚 (firm, strong) gives it a natural given-name finish.
Character breakdown
13 strokes total (simplified)- 志
zhì
Tone 4 · 7 strokes (simplified)
will, aspiration
- 刚
gāng
Tone 1 · 6 strokes (simplified)
firm, strong
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
亚毅
Yà Yì
亚 (yà, "Asia; second (phonetic 'a/ya')") + 毅 (yì, "resolute, persevering"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
It keeps 亚 (yà), the same opening character as the transliteration 亚历山大, for the "a" sound, and replaces the rest with 毅 ("resolute, persevering") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
21 strokes total (simplified)- 亚
yà
Tone 4 · 6 strokes (simplified)
Asia; second (phonetic 'a/ya')
- 毅
yì
Tone 4 · 15 strokes (simplified)
resolute, persevering
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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Recent US usage of Alexander
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Alexander ranked 17 among names recorded for boys, with 51,145 registrations in that group across the period. These are US birth-name records, rather than search counts or a ranking of Chinese names. The period covers part of a decade; it is not a final ranking for the whole 2020s.
Compare the dated figures in the SSA’s official 2020s name table. This snapshot was checked on 2026-10-15; any historical figures on this page describe their own stated period.
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 661,068 boys named Alexander since 1880, with the high point in 1993 (20,522 births) and the busiest decade being the 1990s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #28 to #13 among boys.
- Peak year
- 1993
- Peak decade
- 1990s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 661,068
More About Alexander in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Alexander offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Alexander, you'll find options that work for you.
Names with the same root meaning include Alexandra in Chinese, Alejandro in Chinese, and Alexandria in Chinese, which share similar origins or meanings.
If you're exploring Chinese names for boys, you might also be interested in Alexandra in Chinese, Alejandro in Chinese, and Alexandria in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Robert in Chinese, Brandon in Chinese, Justin in Chinese, Jonathan in Chinese, and Tyler in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Alexander, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Alexander to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
How do you write Alexander in Chinese?
亚历山大 (Yà Lì Shān Dà), or 亞歷山大 in traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
How popular is the name Alexander?
US Social Security records show 661,068 boys named Alexander since 1880, with the high point in 1993 (20,522 births) and the busiest decade being the 1990s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #28 to #13 among boys.
Is Alexander written differently in traditional Chinese?
Yes: 亚历山大 becomes 亞歷山大; the changed characters are 亚→亞, 历→歷. Use traditional for Taiwan or Hong Kong audiences.