Alison
Alison: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈælɪsən/
Meaning and origin of Alison
Root meaning: “of noble kind”
- A female given name from the Germanic languages.
Etymology
From Middle English Alisoun, from Old French Alison, brought to England by the Normans (from Anglo-Norman Alison, from Norman Alison), diminutive of Aliz, equivalent to English Alice, from Old High German Adalhaid (“of noble kind”).
How popular is Alison?
Since 1880, 116,886 girls and 595 boys in the U.S. have been named Alison (99% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #96 in 1986. Its highest rank for boys was #2226 in 1986. In 2025 it ranked #476 for girls, with 649 babies given the name.
Names similar to Alison
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Germanic girl names
Sibling name ideas for Alison
Sister and brother names that share Alison's Germanic roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Alison FAQ
What does the name Alison mean?
Alison traces back to a root meaning "of noble kind". A female given name from the Germanic languages. From Middle English Alisoun, from Old French Alison, brought to England by the Normans (from Anglo-Norman Alison, from Norman Alison), diminutive of Aliz, equivalent to English Alice, from Old High German Adalhaid (“of noble kind”).
What is the origin of the name Alison?
Alison is listed as a name of Germanic origin.
How popular is the name Alison?
Since 1880, 116,886 girls and 595 boys in the U.S. have been named Alison (99% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #96 in 1986. Its highest rank for boys was #2226 in 1986. In 2025 it ranked #476 for girls, with 649 babies given the name.
Is Alison a boy or girl name?
Alison is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 116,886 girls and 595 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.