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Alistair

♂ Boy

Pronounced AL-ih-stair /ˈæl.ɪ.stɛər/High

Meaning: Scottish Gaelic form of Alexander, from Greek Alexandros, composed of alexein (to defend, protect) and aner/andros (man); meaning defender or protector of menHigh

In 30 seconds: Alistair is the Scottish Gaelic form of Alexander, meaning defender of men from Greek, carrying all the historical weight of one of history's greatest names in a distinctly Scottish package that appeals to parents across the English-speaking world.
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Origin HighScottish Gaelic, Greek
MeaningScottish Gaelic form of Alexander, from Greek Alexandros, composed of alexein (to defend, protect) and aner/andros (man); meaning defender or protector of men
U.S. rank (2025)#897 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births265 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2025
Total births (all-time)≈ 4,087

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202519562025

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

History & Origin

Alistair (also spelled Alastair, Alasdair) is the Scottish Gaelic adaptation of Alexander, which comes from Greek Alexandros: alexein (to defend, protect) and aner (man, genitive andros). Alexander entered Scotland via its Norman and Latin ecclesiastical forms and was adapted into Gaelic phonology as Alasdair, with Alistair and Alastair emerging as anglicised variants. The name has been used in Scotland since the medieval period and was borne by several Scottish kings.

In the 20th century Alistair became popular in England and beyond, moving from a distinctly Scottish name to a broader British upper-class and intellectual name. Broadcaster Alistair Cooke (1908–2004), whose Letter from America ran on BBC Radio for 58 years, is perhaps the best-known 20th-century bearer. In the United States Alistair is used as a sophisticated, slightly literary alternative to Alexander, valued for its Scottish heritage and its crisp three-syllable sound. The Alastair spelling is also current.

Did you know? Alexander the Great's legacy was so enormous that the name Alexander spread through much of the known world in the centuries after his death, spawning dozens of national forms — Alistair (Scots Gaelic), Alessandro (Italian), Alejandro (Spanish), Aleksander (Slavic), and Iskandar (Arabic and Persian) — all meaning the same thing.
Overall data confidence 95%
Behind the Name — Alistair — etymology and Scottish usage

Variations

AlastairAlasdairAlister

Nicknames

AlAliAlly

Famous Bearers

  • ★Alistair Cooke (1908–2004)
    British-American journalist and broadcaster whose Letter from America ran on BBC Radio for 58 years, one of the longest-running speech radio programmes ever.

If you like Alistair…

Alexander— the Greek original of which Alistair is the Scottish Gaelic form, sharing the exact meaning
Callum— Scottish Gaelic boys name with the same Highland heritage and three-syllable structure
Hamish— Scottish Gaelic form of James with the same Scots distinctiveness and literary quality
Angus— classic Scottish Gaelic boys name with comparable Celtic heritage and quiet dignity

Frequently Asked

What does Alistair mean?

Alistair is the Scottish form of Alexander, meaning defender of men from Greek alexein (to defend) and aner (man).

How do you pronounce Alistair?

It is said AL-ih-stair — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Alistair Scottish?

Yes, Alistair is the anglicised form of the Scottish Gaelic name Alasdair, the Scottish equivalent of Alexander.

What is the difference between Alistair and Alastair?

They are alternate spellings of the same Scottish name; both are correct. Alastair is slightly more traditional in Scotland while Alistair is common across Britain.