Boy name
İskender name meaning
“defender or protector of people”
İskender means “defender or protector of people.” It is the Turkish form of Greek Alexandros, transmitted through Persian and Arabic usage and built from elements meaning to defend and man. Used for boys in Türkiye, it has a historical association with Alexander the Great and a literary one with İskendernâme narratives.
What does İskender mean?
Defender or protector of people
In Turkish: insanları savunan, koruyucu
İskender is closely associated with Alexander the Great and the stories that developed around him. The İskendernâme tradition in Turkish and Persian literature places the name between history and legend; Alexander and Aleksandr are other forms of the same Greek name.
In Alper and Caner, er is a Turkish component meaning “man” or “brave man.” In other names, such as Ömer, the final letters do not form that component. More boy names ending in -er →
Origin of the name İskender
İskender is the eastern form of Greek Alexandros, transmitted into Turkish through Persian and Arabic usage. The Greek name combines alexein, 'to defend,' with anēr, andros, 'man.'
Double names with İskender
Double-name ideas built from names in our dictionary, with the meaning of each name.
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İskender Kamran
Meaning of each name
- İskender: defender or protector of people
- Kamran: fulfilled; successful and fortunate
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Şevki İskender
Meaning of each name
- Şevki: associated with enthusiasm, joy, and longing
- İskender: defender or protector of people
-
İskender Levon
Meaning of each name
- İskender: defender or protector of people
- Levon: lion; a name associated with the lion
-
Suphi İskender
Meaning of each name
- Suphi: relating to morning or daybreak
- İskender: defender or protector of people
-
İskender Şadan
Meaning of each name
- İskender: defender or protector of people
- Şadan: joyful, cheerful; glad at heart
-
Burç İskender
Meaning of each name
- Burç: fortress tower; zodiac sign
- İskender: defender or protector of people
How to pronounce İskender
| Syllables | 3 · 8 letters · 8-letter boy names |
|---|---|
| IPA | /iskendeɾ/ |
| Ottoman Turkish | اسكندر |
Is İskender a boy’s name?
Yes, İskender is used mostly as a boy’s name. See all boy names.
İskender does not appear in TÜİK’s top-30 lists (Türkiye and provinces, up to 2025). In our sample of notable people (Wikidata), 43 people bear it; this is not a national figure.
Spellings and similar names
Spellings covered by this page: Iskender
Names with related meanings
Famous people named İskender
- İskender Pala · b. 1958
- İskender Alın · b. 1984
- İskender Köksal · b. 1981
- İskender Başlakov · b. 1990
- İskender Paydaş · b. 1967
- Iskender Yediler · b. 1953
- İskender Bayhan · b. 1971
- İskender Batu · b. 1899
- İskender Günen · b. 1958
- İskender Alper · b. 1893
- İskender Alptekin · b. 1961
- İskender Altın · b. 1964
FAQ about the name İskender
What is the meaning of İskender?
İskender means “defender or protector of people”. İskender is the eastern form of Greek Alexandros, transmitted into Turkish through Persian and Arabic usage. The Greek name combines alexein, 'to defend,' with anēr, andros, 'man.'
Is İskender a boy’s name?
Yes, İskender is used mostly as a boy’s name.
Is İskender in the Quran?
No. Neither the name İskender nor its source word occurs in the Quran.
What is the origin of the name İskender?
İskender is of Greek origin.
How many syllables does İskender have?
İskender has 3 syllables and 8 letters.
How popular is the name İskender?
İskender does not appear in TÜİK’s top-30 lists (Türkiye and provinces, up to 2025). In our sample of notable people (Wikidata), 43 people bear it; this is not a national figure.
What are other spellings of İskender?
Other spellings: Iskender.
What names go well with İskender?
Some ideas: İskender Kamran; Şevki İskender; İskender Levon.
Famous people named İskender?
Notable people named İskender include İskender Pala, İskender Alın, İskender Köksal.
Sources and method
Meanings and origins draw on language sources and name dictionaries; popularity figures come from TÜİK’s address-based population register, and notable people from Wikidata.
Entry ID: nm01008 · Updated 2026-10-24 · How we research names · Report a mistake