The baby name Lex is part of the popular Alexander family, a mini name that might be ready to step out from its most famous bearer.
Thanks to Alexis for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.
WHAT DOES THE NAME LEX MEAN?
At its core, the baby name Lex is a diminutive form of Alexander. Or Alexandra. Like Alex and Sasha, Lex is a nickname that works across gender.
Alexander – and Alexandra – come from Greek elements meaning “defender of men.” It’s associated with the hero Paris in Greek mythology. The name surfaces briefly in the New Testament. Most notably, Alexander and Rufus are the sons of Simon of Cyrene, who carried Jesus’ cross to the crucifixion. Tradition holds that they became missionaries.
But all of this pales compared to Alexander the Great, the Macedonian king and military leader who created one of the largest empires through conquest.
Nickames for Alexander abound (FIXLINK), and Lex is among them.
LEX LUTHOR
Even if you’ve never read a comic book, you almost certainly recognize this name.
Alexander Joseph Luthor – better known as Lex – is a DC Comics supervillain, archenemy of Superman. The character was introduced in 1940, and Luthor has plenty of positive attributes. He’s brilliant, creative, and generous to charitable causes in Metropolis.
Sort of sounds like Tony Stark as Iron Man, right? But no. Luthor is power-hungry and out to get the Man of Steel from day one.
Speaking of day one, we also meet a young Lex on Superman-prequel Smallville. It makes the character less of a villain and more human, and we learn that the sworn rivals started out as close friends.
While Luthor is usually pictured as a genius entrepreneur and inventor, DC Comics has occasionally given him other callings. In one story line, he even won the White House.
Nicholas Hoult played the villain in 2025’s Superman. Rumor is that a sequel is in the works, with Hoult returning.
MAX, KNOX, JAX, AND LEX
A cluster of short names ending in X have enjoyed plenty of popularity in recent years.
From traditional Max to novel Jax, options abound.
Boy names ending in x also include retro Dex and swaggering Knox. Lex could fit right in.
HOW POPULAR IS THE NAME LEX?
Well before DC Comics gave us the villainous Lex Luthor, a handful of children received the name in the United States.
As of 2024, 89 boys and 5 girls were named Lex.
It might be the nickname of choice for so many others, though. While both Alexander and Alexandra are falling in use, along many related names, they remain powerfully popular.
In 2024 alone:
- 7,517 boys were named Alexander
- 1,387 girls were named Alexandra, as well as hundreds more named Alexandria, Alexis, and Alexa – to name just a few
Lex might be the perfect name for parents hoping to shorten any of those longer forms.
OVERLOOKED MINI NAME
On reflection, the baby name Lex might be more common that the numbers suggest, if only as a nickname.
But it fits current trends nicely. It’s a potentially unisex, X-ending name with deep roots and a sharp sound.
The Superman story makes it a villain’s name – but also a familiar one. And when it comes to all things superhero? It’s always possible that even the worst of the worst will get a redemption arc.
In the meantime, with so many Alexanders and Alexandras, it’s easy to imagine Lex emerging as an honor name, nickname, or abbreviated spin on those classic favorites.
What do you think of the baby name Lex?
First published on October 28, 2015, this post was revised on December 20, 2025.
