Alistair
“Defender of mankind”
Scotland origin · Boy name
#919US 2023
250Births / yr
↑Rising
2.8kAll-time births
📅 Since 195600.01% of births at peak
How to pronounce Alistair
AL·ist·er
/ˈæl.ɪst.ˌɛr/ · stress on AL · 3 syllables
“Defender of mankind”
Scotland origin · Boy name
What does Alistair mean and where does it come from?
Alistair is a Scottish variant of the name Alexander, derived from the Greek name 'Alexandros'. The name has royal associations, particularly through Scottish history. It has been historically recorded as early as the 12th century and remains popular in Scotland and among English speakers. Variants
Cultural significance
Alistair has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Scotland-speaking communities, where it reflects values of defender of mankind.
Peak popularity
Reached #883 in 2016 — currently #919 in the US.
What middle names flow best with Alistair?
Alistair works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful
Alistair Grace
Most popular combo · classic
Alistair Rose
Floral · soft ending
Alistair Mae
Sweet · timeless
Alistair Claire
French influence · crisp
Alistair Jane
Literary · strong
Alistair Skye
Modern · airy feel
How popular is Alistair right now?
Rising — up 10 spots — currently #919 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
The story of Alistair
Alistair entered American naming records in 1956 and has been in use for over 68 years. With 2,804 total births recorded, Alistair remains relatively uncommon. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #5158 in 1970 to #919 in 2023.
Names that peaked alongside Alistair in 2016:
Alistair by decade
Alistair peaked in the 2010s. See all 2010s names →
| Decade | Births | |
|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 7 | |
| 1960s | 11 | |
| 1970s | 96 | |
| 1980s | 112 | |
| 1990s | 189 | |
| 2000s | 449 | |
| 2010s ★ | 1,717 | |
| 2020s | 223 |
With 2,804 total births, Alistair is an uncommon but established name.
What are good nicknames for Alistair?
ALBANIAN
Skender
BULGARIAN
Sasho
CATALAN
Àlex
CROATIAN
SandiSaša
What names sound and feel like Alistair?
Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Alistair also consider these
How is Alistair written in other languages?
What are the girl versions of Alistair?
Alexandra ANCIENT GREEKAleksandra BULGARIANAleksandrina BULGARIANSashka BULGARIANAleksandra CROATIANSanda CROATIANSandra CROATIANSaša CROATIANAlexandra CZECHAlexandra DANISHSandra DANISHAlex DUTCHAlexandra DUTCHSandra DUTCHXandra DUTCHAlex ENGLISHAlexa ENGLISHAlexandra ENGLISHAlexandrea ENGLISHAlexandria ENGLISHAlexandrina ENGLISHAlexina ENGLISHAli ENGLISHAllie ENGLISHAlly ENGLISHAlyx ENGLISHLexa ENGLISHLexi ENGLISHLexie ENGLISHLexine ENGLISHLexy ENGLISHSandie ENGLISHSandra ENGLISHSandy ENGLISHSasha ENGLISHSondra ENGLISHZandra ENGLISHAleksandra ESTONIANAlexandra FRENCHAlexandrie FRENCHAlexandrine FRENCHSacha FRENCHSandra FRENCHSandrine FRENCHSasha FRENCHAlexa GERMANAlexandra GERMANSandra GERMANSascha GERMANAlexandra GREEK MYTHOLOGYAlexandra GREEKAlexa HUNGARIANAlexandra HUNGARIANSzandra HUNGARIANAlexandra ICELANDICSandra ICELANDICAlastríona IRISHAlessa ITALIANAlessandra ITALIANAlexandra ITALIANSandra ITALIANSandra LATVIANSandra LITHUANIANAleksandra MACEDONIANSandra MACEDONIANSashka MACEDONIANAlexandra NORWEGIANSandra NORWEGIANAleksandra POLISHOla POLISHSandra POLISHAlexandra PORTUGUESEAlexandrina PORTUGUESESandra PORTUGUESEAlexandra ROMANIANSanda ROMANIANSandra ROMANIANAleksandra RUSSIANAleksandrina RUSSIANAlexandra RUSSIANSanya RUSSIANSasha RUSSIANShura RUSSIANSaundra SCOTTISHAleksandra SERBIANSandra SERBIANSaša SERBIANAlexandra SLOVAKAleksandra SLOVENESandra SLOVENESaša SLOVENEAle SPANISHAlejandra SPANISHAlexandra SPANISHSandra SPANISHAlexandra SWEDISHSandra SWEDISHSassa SWEDISHAleksandra UKRAINIANAlexandra UKRAINIANLesya UKRAINIANOleksandra UKRAINIANSasha UKRAINIAN
Common questions about the name Alistair
What does the name Alistair mean?
Alistair means "Defender of mankind" — a name rooted in Scotland tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.
How popular is the name Alistair?
Alistair is currently ranked #919 as a boy name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Alistair have increased significantly in recent years.
What is the cultural origin of Alistair?
Alistair originates from Scotland tradition. Scotland names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.
How do you pronounce the name Alistair?
Alistair is a three-syllable name pronounced AE1 L IH0 S T EH2 R. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.
What sibling names go well with Alistair?
Alistair pairs beautifully with sibling names that share a similar Scotland heritage or complement its melodic and flowing sound. Names with a similar vibe create a cohesive sibling set without matching too closely.
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