Alexia is a feminine given name that serves as the female form of Alexis. The name Alexis itself derives from the Greek name Ἄλεξις (Alexis), meaning "helper" or "defender," which comes from the Greek verb ἀλέξω (alexo), meaning "to defend" or "to help." Historically, Alexis was the name of a 3rd-century BC Greek comic poet and several saints, and it is interchangeable with the related name Alexius, which was borne by five Byzantine emperors. Popularity and Usage In the English-speaking world, Alexis has become predominantly feminine, largely due to American actress Alexis Smith (1921–1993), who rose to fame in the 1940s, and later the character Alexis Carrington on the soap opera Dynasty in the 1980s. Alexia, though less common than Alexis, has maintained steady usage as a feminine variant. It is used in English, French, Greek, and Spanish-speaking countries. Notable Bearers Notable individuals with the name Alexia include Alexia (Italian singer, born 1967), known for her Eurodance hits; Alexia Bryn (1889–1983), a Norwegian pair skater and Olympic medalist; Alexia Fast (born 1982), a Canadian actress; and Alexia González-Barros González (1971–1985), a Spanish child declared Venerable by Pope Francis. Others include Alexia Bonatsos, an American venture capitalist; Alexia Dechaume-Balleret, a French tennis player; and Alexia Hilbertidou, a New Zealand social entrepreneur. Related Forms Variant forms of Alexia include Alexis and Alexus in English. Diminutive forms include Alexina, Lexi, Lexia, Lexie, Lexine, and Lexus. In other languages, the name appears as Alèxia in Catalan, Alessia in Italian, and Aljoša in Slovene. Masculine Spanish forms include Alejo. Meaning: Helper, defender Origin: Greek, via Alexis Type: Feminine given name Usage Regions: English, French, Greek, Spanish