Zander
Gender: Boy
Meaning: Defender of the people
Origin: Greek
Popularity: Ranked #397 in 2025 with 804 babies born.
History: Zander is a variant of Xander and Alexander, from the Greek 'Alexandros,' meaning defender of men. It is also a type of freshwater fish common in Eastern Europe, where the spelling Zander is used. As a given name, it has become popular in the United States and Northern Europe as a shorter, more contemporary alternative to Alexander.
Name length: 6 letters
How common is Zander? About 1 in 4,140 babies born in 2025 were named Zander, or roughly 2.2 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Zander
What does the name Zander mean?
Zander means “Defender of the people” from Greek roots.
What is the origin of the name Zander?
Zander has Greek origin. The traditional meaning is “Defender of the people”.
How popular is Zander?
Zander ranked #396 in 2025 — given to 804 babies that year.
When was Zander most popular?
Zander peaked in 2013 with 1,600 babies registered that year.
Is Zander a boy or girl name?
Zander is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Zanders in registered births are male.
Is the name Zander rising or falling in popularity?
Zander has fallen 115 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #281 in 2020 to #396 in 2025.
How long has Zander been recorded?
Zander appears in birth records across 40 years — from 1915 through 2025.