The name ''''Alexander'''' masc. proper name, from L., from Gk. ''Alexandros'' "defender of men," from ''alexein'' "to ward off, keep off, turn (something) away, defend, protect" + ''aner'' (gen. andros) "man." The first element is related to Gk. alke "protection, help, strength, power, courage," alkimos "strong;" cf. also Skt. raksati "protects," O.E. ealgian "to defend.". ''See also disambiguation of the name ''''[[Alexis (disambiguation)|Alexis]]''''