Alessandra

This name derives from the Ancient Greek “Aléxandros (Ᾰ̓λέξᾰνδρος),” composed of two elements: “aléxō ‎(ἀλέξω)” (keep off, turn aside, guard, protect, defend, help) plus “anḗr ‎(ἀνήρ) andrós ‎(ἀνδρός)” (man “adult male,” husband). In turn, the name means “defender of men, protector of men.” This definition is an example of the widespread reason of Greek (or Indo-European more generally) names expressing “battle-prowess,” in this case, the ability to resist or push back an enemy battle line. The earliest attested form of the name is the Mycenaean Greek feminine anthroponym (the name of a person) “arekasadara” transcribed as “Alexandra,” written in the Linear B syllabic script. The name was one of the titles or epithets given to the Greek goddess Hera and, as such, usually understood as “one who comes to save warriors.” The most famous connection to this root is Alexander the Great, who created one of the greatest empires in ancient history.