Quote Originally Posted by Линдзи
Oh, I know that Александр is also a distinct Russian name. But aren't the two from simliar roots?
Yes, they came from the Greek root "alex". Александр means "defender of people" and Алексей means "defender"(source: Лев Успенский "Ты и твоё имя")

And I can't help recalling Лёха Попович, Илюха Муромец and Добрыняха ( ) Никитич.