Alice

♀ Girl

Pronounced AL-iss /ˈæl.ɪs/High

Meaning: Noble; of noble kindHigh

In 30 seconds: A beloved Old French–Germanic classic meaning 'noble.' Immortalized by Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, it balances literary charm with timeless simplicity.

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Origin HighOld French, Old High German

MeaningNoble; of noble kind

Peak year1921

Total births (all-time)≈ 560,070

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Alice is the Old French form of the Old High German name Adalheidis, composed of adal (noble) and heid (kind, sort). It entered England via the Normans after 1066 and was common throughout the medieval period.

Alice fell from fashion by the 18th century but was dramatically revived by Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1865). It remained popular throughout the late Victorian and Edwardian eras and has experienced a fresh 21st-century revival.

Did you know? Lewis Carroll's Alice was inspired by Alice Liddell, the real daughter of his Oxford colleague Henry Liddell.

Variations

AliciaAliseAliciaAilisAliss

Nicknames

AliAllieLissy

Famous Bearers

★Alice Liddell (1852–1934)
The inspiration for Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland.
★Alice Walker (1944–)
American novelist and Pulitzer Prize winner, author of The Color Purple.

If you like Alice…

Eleanor— same timeless literary elegance and vintage charm

Clara— short, bright classic with the same crisp feel

Violet— vintage botanical name enjoying the same modern revival

Frequently Asked

What does the name Alice mean?

Alice comes from the Old French and Old High German Adalheidis, meaning 'noble' or 'of noble kind.'

How do you pronounce Alice?

It is said AL-iss /ˈæl.ɪs/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Alice a boy or girl name?

Alice is almost exclusively a girl's name in English-speaking countries.

How popular is Alice?

Alice has been climbing the U.S. charts steadily, re-entering the top 100 girls' names and continuing to rise.