Rabbi Berel Wein: Greek Influence and Jewish History

Alexander the Great conquers the Persian Empire and most of the known world, and comes to the land of Israel at about 325 B.C.E.  He meets Simon the righteous, and is so impressed that he spares Jerusalem and the Temple.

The Jewish people remember Alexander and make a commitment that all the first born male children born during that year would be named after him. This is how the name becomes a common name in Jewish families.