Alistair
Alistair: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈæl.ɪ.stɚ/ · /ˈæl.ɪ.stə/
Meaning and origin of Alistair
- A male given name from Scottish Gaelic.
Etymology
From Scottish Gaelic Alasdair, from Norman Alexandre or Latin Alexander, from Ancient Greek Ἀλέξανδρος (Aléxandros), from ἀλέξω (aléxō, “to defend”) + ἀνδρ- (andr-), the stem of ἀνήρ (anḗr, “man”).
How popular is Alistair?
Since 1880, 4,088 boys in the U.S. have been named Alistair. Its highest rank for boys was #885 in 2016. In 2025 it ranked #897 for boys, with 265 babies given the name.
Names similar to Alistair
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Scottish boy names
Sibling name ideas for Alistair
Sister and brother names that share Alistair's Scottish roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Alistair FAQ
What does the name Alistair mean?
A male given name from Scottish Gaelic. From Scottish Gaelic Alasdair, from Norman Alexandre or Latin Alexander, from Ancient Greek Ἀλέξανδρος (Aléxandros), from ἀλέξω (aléxō, “to defend”) + ἀνδρ- (andr-), the stem of ἀνήρ (anḗr, “man”).
What is the origin of the name Alistair?
Alistair is listed as a name of Scottish origin.
How popular is the name Alistair?
Since 1880, 4,088 boys in the U.S. have been named Alistair. Its highest rank for boys was #885 in 2016. In 2025 it ranked #897 for boys, with 265 babies given the name.
Is Alistair a boy or girl name?
Alistair is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 0 girls and 4,088 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.