Alessandro
ah-leh-SAN-dro /ˌɑː.lɛˈsæn.droʊ/
Meaning of Alessandro
Alessandro is the Italian form of Alexander, from the Greek Ἀλέξανδρος (Alexandros): alexein ('to defend') + andros ('man'). The full meaning is 'defender of men.' Alessandro is standard in Italian naming while Alejandro is Spanish and Alexandre is Portuguese/French. The name rose to global prominence through Alessandro de' Medici and, in literature, Alessandro Manzoni's I Promessi Sposi.
How to pronounce Alessandro
In Italian: a-les-SAN-dro (ss is doubled and sharp).
Current popularity of Alessandro
Rankings from the most recent fully-published year in each national registry. Source links at the foot of the page.
| Registry | Year | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Italy (ISTAT) | 2024 | #11 |
Notable bearers of Alessandro
Alessandro de' Medici (1510–1537); Alessandro Volta (inventor of the battery); Alessandro Del Piero (footballer).
Similar names & variants
Cognates, spelling variants and close relatives. Click any name with an underline to read its own page.
Sibling-name suggestions
Names that pair stylistically with Alessandro — useful as middle names or for siblings.
About this entry
Compiled by the Baby Name Finder editorial team following the rules in our Methodology and Editorial guidelines. If you spot an error, please tell us; our corrections policy is at /editorial-guidelines#corrections.
Sources
Last reviewed: 2026-05-31