The nameAlison
Alison is a girl's name of Germanic origin, a medieval pet form of Alice meaning "of noble kind". It was popular in Britain in the 1960s and 1970s.
- Girl's name
- Norman French
Meaning
Alison comes from Aalis, an Old French form of Alice, from the Germanic Adalheidis, "of noble kind".
Origin
Norman French, then Scottish.
History
Alison was very common in Scotland and England in the mid 20th century and reached the American top 100. Elvis Costello's song Alison (1977) is a famous use of the name.
Famous people named Alison
- Alison Krauss, singer
- Alison Brie, actress
- Alison Hammond, presenter
- Alison Bechdel, cartoonist
Popularity of the name Alison
Alison in the United States
Alison was most popular in the United States in the 1980s, with 27,180 births over the decade, 23% of all recorded babies named Alison. Its rise began around 1949, and it peaked in 1986. Half of all babies named Alison in the United States were born before 1985, so it is mostly a parents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 676 births a year on average, against 857 in the five years before.
Alison in the United Kingdom
Alison was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 585 births over the decade, 38% of all recorded babies named Alison. Half of all babies named Alison in the United Kingdom were born before 2002. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 17 births a year on average, against 24 in the five years before.
Alison in Ireland
Alison in France
Alison in Belgium
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Alison
Names from the same generation as Alison, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Alison? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Alison with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Alison side by side with the name of your choice.
Alison in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Alison mean?
Alison comes from Aalis, an Old French form of Alice, from the Germanic Adalheidis, "of noble kind".
What is the origin of the name Alison?
Norman French, then Scottish.
Is Alison a girl's or a boy's name?
Alison is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Alison?
In 2024, Alison was the 465th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 673 births.
What are the variants of the name Alison?
Variants and related names of Alison include Alice, Alisson, Allison and Alysson.
What are good sibling names for Alison?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Carmen, Jessie, Molly and Madeleine for a sister, Johnny, Fabian, Frank and Andy for a brother.
Who are famous people named Alison?
Alison Krauss, singer; Alison Brie, actress; Alison Hammond, presenter; Alison Bechdel, cartoonist.