National Alexander Day is celebrated on October 21 every year, and on this day, we honor everyone named Alexander. Alexander is a Latinized version of Alexandros, a Greek name that means “defender of men.” Alexander the Great, the 4th-century ruler of Macedonia in Greece and one of history’s most powerful military commanders, is most famously linked with the name. Alexander is a name that appears throughout the New Testament, and there are dozens of Christian saints named Alexander. Alexander is a popular choice for a boy’s name.
History of National Alexander Day
Alexander is predominantly a Greek masculine name that means “Defender of the People.” Alexandra, a Mycenaean Greek feminine anthroponym written in the Linear B syllabic script, is the earliest documented form of the name. Alaksandu, also known as Alakasandu or Alaksandus, was a Wilusa king who signed a pact with the Hittite king Muwatalli II in 1280 B.C.; the Hittite monarch Muwatalli II was commonly thought to have been a Greek named Alexandros.The name was given to the Greek goddess Hera as an epithet, and it is commonly translated as “one who comes to save warriors.” The character Paris is also known as Alexander in the Iliad. Alexander the Great, King of Macedon, was the most renowned bearer. He constructed a massive empire out of Greece, Egypt, Persia, and parts of India in the 4th century. His name spread throughout Europe as a result of his reputation and later medieval tales concerning him.Kings of Scotland, Poland, and Yugoslavia, as well as Russian emperors and eight popes, have all used the name. Other notable bearers include English poet Alexander Pope who was born in 1688, American statesman Alexander Hamilton, Scottish-Canadian explorer Sir Alexander MacKenzie, Russian poet Alexander Pushkin, and the Scottish-Canadian-American telephone inventor Alexander Graham Bell who was born in 1847. Depending on where you live, there are a slew of different ways to spell Alexander.
National Alexander Day timeline
Alaksandu, king of Wilusa, signs a pact with the Hittite king Muwatalli II.
Alexander the Great, King of Macedonia, is the most renowned bearer of the name, and he conquers large parts of Europe and Asia using weapons and strategies invented by his father, Phillip II.
The English poet Alexander Pope is born.
Alexander Graham Bell, born in 1847, invents the telephone and makes the first telephone call.
National Alexander Day FAQs
Is Alexander a high-status name?
It is especially well-known in Scotland, where it is still regarded as a regal surname.
What is Alexander's female counterpart?
Alexandra is the female version.
Is the word Alexander a scrabble term?
Alexander is, in fact, a scrabble word.
National Alexander Day Activities
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Go outside
Take advantage of the fresh air. Fresh air, pleasant weather, and a lovely view are sometimes all you need. Get outside and enjoy rock climbing, hiking, or kayaking. Alexander the Great himself aspired to traverse every continent and emulate Perseus, the mythical hero and explorer.
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Have a Zoom party
Why not throw a Zoom party with your friends and family if you reside in a foreign country? Participants will need to make some preparations ahead of time. Have a shared activity, such as a drink or food that everyone may consume at the same time, or a fun dress code, such as wearing party hats.
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Name trivia
Play a game of name facts with your buddies. Find as many amusing facts about your name as you can on the internet and use them as a fun quiz game on game night.
5 Interesting Facts About The Name Alexander
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The 102nd position
Alexander is the 102nd most popular name on the planet.
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Over three million Alexanders
Alexander is a name given to around 3,890,373 persons around the world.
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Alexanders in Russia
Russia has the most Alexander-bearing people in the world.
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Boys bearing the name
In the last 200 years, 706,235 boys have been given the name.
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Variants
Alexander has many variants, such as the shortened male name Sander, the neutral Alex, and the female variants Alexandra, Alexa, and Sandra.
Why We Love National Alexander Day
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Names are people's first impressions
Before anyone ever meets your child, they will be known by their name. Before anyone even speaks to them, a person's name might affect how they will be treated. Before their personality can be observed, their name is the first impression they provide.
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Names are labels
We utilize language to identify, classify, and connect in a world filled with words. As we use words to describe ourselves and the people around us, they are also used to label, define, and compare. The most powerful labels are names.
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Names have emotional value
A person's name has emotional value. Some names make you pause and consider, in particular, names that have meanings that are unique to the parents and their history as a relationship. Such names are appropriate for both the child and the family.
National Alexander Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | October 21 | Friday |
| 2023 | October 21 | Saturday |
| 2024 | October 21 | Monday |
| 2025 | October 21 | Tuesday |
| 2026 | October 21 | Wednesday |
