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Alison

♀ Girl

Pronounced AL-ih-sun /ˈæl.ɪ.sən/High

Meaning: Medieval French diminutive of Alice (Aliz), from Old High German Adalheidis, composed of 'adal' (noble) and 'heit' (kind, type), meaning 'noble kind' or 'of noble character'High

In 30 seconds: Alison is a classic medieval French form of Alice meaning 'noble,' worn with easy confidence across centuries. Friendly, timeless, and never overused, it remains one of the most reliably stylish names for girls.
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Origin HighFrench, German
MeaningMedieval French diminutive of Alice (Aliz), from Old High German Adalheidis, composed of 'adal' (noble) and 'heit' (kind, type), meaning 'noble kind' or 'of noble character'
U.S. rank (2025)#476 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births644 girls (0.04% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1980
Total births (all-time)≈ 116,881

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 198019052025

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

History & Origin

Alison is a medieval French diminutive of Alice (French Aliz), itself derived from the Old High German Adalheidis, composed of adal (noble) and heit (kind, type). The name was brought to England by the Normans and was common throughout medieval England. Chaucer used the name for the Wife of Bath in his Canterbury Tales.

Alison remained popular in Scotland and England through the 17th and 18th centuries when it was less common in America. It gained strong U.S. traction in the mid-20th century and has been a top-200 girls' name for decades. Elvis Costello's 1977 song Alison gave it additional cultural resonance.

Did you know? Alison appears in Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales (c. 1390) as the name of the Wife of Bath — one of the most vivid characters in medieval English literature, cementing this name's literary pedigree for over 600 years.
Overall data confidence 92%
Behind the Name — Alison — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

AllisonAllysonAlysonAlice

Nicknames

AliAllyAl

Famous Bearers

  • ★Alison (Wife of Bath)
    Character in Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, one of medieval literature's most vivid figures

If you like Alison…

Allison— the double-L spelling of the same name with identical sound
Alice— the classic root from which Alison derives
Addison— shares the -ison suffix and the same era of modern popularity
Emerson— another three-syllable -son surname name with the same friendly appeal

Frequently Asked

What does Alison mean?

Alison means 'noble' or 'of noble kind,' from the French form of Alice, which derives from the Germanic Adalheidis meaning noble kind.

How do you pronounce Alison?

Alison is pronounced AL-ih-sun /ˈæl.ɪ.sən/ — three syllables with stress on the first.

What is the difference between Alison and Allison?

They are alternate spellings with the same pronunciation. Allison uses a double L; both are equally correct and popular.

Is Alison a popular girls' name?

Yes. Alison has been consistently in the U.S. top 200 girls' names for decades and is valued for its friendly, timeless quality.