Alexus

Alexus is an Americanized respelling of Alexis. Alexis is technically considered a gender-neutral name, although it’s quite a bit more popular for baby girls in the United States, Canada and Australia. Elsewhere it’s more commonly thought of as masculine. The name is ultimately derived from the Greek “alexo” (αλεξω) meaning “to help, defend”. It’s essentially from the same root as Alexander (a name which means “defender of mankind”). The name Alexis was notably borne by a celebrated Greek comic/poet spanning the 4th and 3rd centuries B.C. in Athens. He wrote prolifically and his works were quite popular among his contemporaries, earning him accolades in his lifetime. A punster with a sharp wit, it was said Alexis died at 106 years old; providing early evidence that laughter does extend longevity! Alexis and Alexius are basically interchangeable names which owe their enduring success to the early Eastern Empire; in homage to an early 5th century Eastern saint whose legend and cult grew in the Middle Ages (apparently an apparition of the Virgin Mary identified St. Alexius specifically as “A Man of God”). As the story goes, Alexius left his wealthy and privileged life – escaping on his arranged wedding day, no less – in order to give himself over to God. He subjected himself to poverty, disguised himself as a beggar, and selflessly shared his charitable receipts with the other poor people on the streets. Eventually, his parents – good Christians that they were – took this poor man under their own care (not recognizing it was their own son). St. Alexius lived out the rest of his life inside a tiny, dark closet under his parent’s stairwell teaching Christian principals to young children. It was only after his death when miraculous writings on his body revealed his true identity. Such legends became enormously popular during precarious medieval times, and names of admired saints were used on children as a protective measure. Alexis/Alexius are names which promulgated across Eastern Europe thanks to this early saint. In fact, Alexius was a name shared by no less than five Byzantine Emperors during the Middle Ages, and Alexei remains a Top 10 favorite baby boy’s name in Russia. The United States appears to be the only country that uses the variant spelling of Alexus – considered a phonetic re-rendering of Alexis for baby girls.