The nameAlistair
Alistair is the Scottish form of Alexander. It has a refined British feel.
- Boy's name
- Greek
- Feast day
Meaning
Alistair comes from the Gaelic Alasdair, a form of Alexander, "defender of men".
Origin
Greek, through Scottish Gaelic.
History
In England and Wales Alistair reached 133rd in 1996.
Did you know?
- Alistair Brownlee was the first triathlete to win two Olympic titles, in 2012 and 2016.
Famous people named Alistair
- Alistair Cooke, broadcaster
- Alistair Darling, politician
- Alistair Brownlee, triathlete
Popularity of the name Alistair
Alistair in the United States
Alistair was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 1,721 births over the decade, 45% of all recorded babies named Alistair. Its rise began around 1999, and it peaked in 2024. Half of all babies named Alistair in the United States were born before 2016, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 247 births a year.
Alistair in the United Kingdom
Alistair was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 1,728 births over the decade, 38% of all recorded babies named Alistair. Half of all babies named Alistair in the United Kingdom were born before 2007, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 86 births a year on average, against 116 in the five years before.
Alistair in France
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Alistair
Names from the same generation as Alistair, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Alistair? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Alistair with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Alistair side by side with the name of your choice.
Alistair in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Alistair mean?
Alistair comes from the Gaelic Alasdair, a form of Alexander, "defender of men".
What is the origin of the name Alistair?
Greek, through Scottish Gaelic.
Is Alistair a girl's or a boy's name?
Alistair is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Alistair?
In 2024, Alistair was the 908th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 257 births.
What are the variants of the name Alistair?
Variants and related names of Alistair include Alexander, Alexandre and Alexandru.
What are good sibling names for Alistair?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Agnes, Margaux, Violette and Etta for a sister, Bastian, Imran, Jethro and Caius for a brother.
Who are famous people named Alistair?
Alistair Cooke, broadcaster; Alistair Darling, politician; Alistair Brownlee, triathlete.