NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Lexa

A feminine diminutive form of Alexandra, meaning "defender of mankind".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2018. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Lexa is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Lexa popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2018 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3178, with 7 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2016, with 18 births.

This profile covers 82 England and Wales registrations across 13 recorded years from 2001 to 2018. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 39% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 82 living people in the UK are called Lexa. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2019 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Lexa ranked #3178 for girls in England and Wales in 2018, with 7 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2016, when 18 girls were registered as Lexa.
  • About 82 living people in the UK are estimated to have Lexa as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3178

2018

Births in 2018

7

Latest year

Peak year

2016

18 births

Estimated living

82

2026

Meaning

What does Lexa mean?

The name Lexa has its origins in the ancient Greek language, derived from the word "Alexo," which means "to defend" or "to help." It was initially a masculine name that gained popularity during the Hellenistic period of ancient Greece, spanning from the 4th to the 1st century BC.

The earliest recorded use of the name Lexa can be traced back to the 3rd century BC, when it was mentioned in various Greek literary works and historical texts. One notable bearer of the name was Lexa of Corinth, a philosopher and scholar who lived during the 2nd century BC.

As the centuries passed, the name spread across Europe and underwent various spelling variations, such as Lexa, Lexia, and Lexia. In the Middle Ages, it was particularly popular in regions with strong Greek cultural influences, such as parts of Italy and the Byzantine Empire.

One of the earliest recorded examples of a prominent figure bearing the name Lexa was Lexa of Amalfi, an Italian noblewoman and patron of the arts who lived in the 11th century. She was renowned for her support of artists and scholars during the Renaissance period.

During the Renaissance, the name Lexa gained further recognition with the birth of Lexa Alberti (1404-1472), an Italian humanist, author, and philosopher. His works on architecture and city planning were highly influential and helped shape the artistic and intellectual landscape of the time.

In the 18th century, Lexa Mikhailovna Golitsyna (1738-1796), a Russian noble and philanthropist, was known for her charitable endeavors and patronage of the arts. She established several schools and hospitals, and her legacy continues to be celebrated in Russia.

Another notable figure was Lexa Baring (1801-1890), a British banker and politician who served as the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the mid-19th century. He played a significant role in shaping economic policies and financial reforms during his tenure.

In the realm of literature, Lexa Tolstaya (1884-1975), a Russian writer and translator, made significant contributions to the literary world. She was the daughter of the renowned author Leo Tolstoy and translated several of her father's works into English.

These are just a few examples of the many individuals throughout history who have borne the name Lexa, each leaving their mark in various fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of human civilization.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Lexa over time

The chart below shows babies named Lexa registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2001 to 2018. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Lexa, the clearest high point is 2016. The latest England and Wales figure is 7 births in 2018, compared with 18 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Lexa
0591418200120092018

Decades

Lexa by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Lexa was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2010s #3898 63 8
2000s #4196 19 5

Related

Names similar to Lexa

FAQ

Lexa: questions and answers

How popular is the name Lexa in the UK right now?

In 2018, Lexa was ranked #3178 for girls in England and Wales, with 7 births registered.

When was Lexa most popular?

The peak year on record was 2016, with 18 babies registered as Lexa in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Lexa?

A feminine diminutive form of Alexandra, meaning "defender of mankind".

How many people are called Lexa in the UK?

A total of 82 babies have been registered as Lexa across the 13 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.