3 syllables: al, ex, is. Stress on ex.
uh-LEK-sis
/əˈlɛksɪs/
alexis is pronounced uh-LEK-sis (/əˈlɛksɪs/). It has three syllables (al-ex-is), with the stress on "ex". Alexis is a proper name that can function as a given name or surname and is often used in Western contexts. It typically involves two syllables and a light to moderate stress pattern, though accent and language can shift stress. In many English varieties, it is pronounced with an initial vowel sound that blends into a light 'l' onset, followed by a clear 'ee' or 'i' vowel and an 's' ending.
Alexis is a proper name that can function as a given name or surname and is often used in Western contexts. It typically involves two syllables and a light to moderate stress pattern, though accent and language can shift stress. In many English varieties, it is pronounced with an initial vowel sound that blends into a light 'l' onset, followed by a clear 'ee' or 'i' vowel and an 's' ending.
"Alexis gave a thoughtful presentation at the conference."
"I spoke with Alexis about the project timeline."
"Alexis decided to study abroad next semester."
Pronounce as al-ÉX-is in US and UK English, with the primary stress on the second syllable. Phonetically: /ˌælˈɛk.sɪs/ for both US and UK. The initial sound is a low-front vowel blend /æ/ as in ‘cat’, then an /l/ closure, followed by a short /ɛ/ in the second syllable, and ending with /sɪs/. In casual speech, the middle vowel may be reduced slightly toward /e/; the final /ɪs/ is typically crisp.
Common mistakes include stressing the first syllable AL-ex-is rather than AL-EX-is, and pronouncing the middle vowel as a dull /ɪ/ or delaying the /s/ too long, resulting in /ˌælɪkˈsɪs/. Correction: keep the second syllable’s /ɛ/ clearly and keep the /s/ final crisp; practice with /ˌælˈɛk.sɪs/ and reduce vowel reduction in rapid speech.
In American and British English, Alexis tends to have secondary stress on the second syllable with a crisp /s/ at the end: /ˌælˈɛk.sɪs/. Australian English follows similar patterns but may exhibit a slightly softer /s/ or a more centralized ending; some speakers might reduce the /ɛ/ toward /e/ in rapid speech. The overall rhotics and vowel qualities remain fairly close across these accents.
Key challenges include maintaining accurate vowel quality for /æ/ vs /ɛ/ in the second syllable and ensuring a crisp /s/ without following consonants that might blur the final /s/. Also, the two-syllable rhythm with stress on the second syllable can feel counterintuitive if you’re not used to trochaic patterns in proper names. Focus on timing and mouth positions for each phoneme.
A distinctive feature is the clear contrast between /æ/ (as in ‘cat’) and /ɛ/ (as in ‘bed’) within two adjacent vowels in a proper name; maintaining that contrast while delivering a crisp final /s/ is essential. Practitioners should ensure the mid vowel in the second syllable is not reduced to /ə/ in careful speech, preserving the /ɛ/ sound and keeping the /s/ sibilant crisp.
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Alexis derives from the Greek name Alexandros (masculine) or Alexandra (feminine), from alexein ‘to defend, help’ and aner/andros ‘man’. In the classical era, the root alex- conveyed ‘to defend, to help’; over time, Alexandros became a popular personal name in Hellenistic and Byzantine periods, eventually spreading into Latinized forms and various modern languages. The feminine form Alexis emerges as a unisex given name in English-speaking countries in the 20th century, with usage accelerating in the United States and parts of Europe. First known uses appear in medieval/early modern texts where Alexandros and Alexandra appear; Alexis as a pet form or diminutive appears in English-language records by the 18th–19th centuries, evolving into an independent given name and surname in contemporary usage. The name’s globalization has led to multiple pronunciations; in some languages, the initial stress falls on the second syllable when used as a surname or in certain given-name contexts. The meaning, historically tied to defending or helping, remains a cultural touchstone in name-giving practices around family heritage and personal identity.
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Words that rhyme with "alexis"
-sis sounds
-ies sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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