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Home › Baby Names Directory › Alison

Alison

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Alison

Pronounced AL-ih-sun /ˈæl.ɪ.sən/Medium

Meaning: From a medieval diminutive of Alice (itself from Adelaide, 'noble; nobility'), with the French -on ending. It began partly as a boy's/surname name but is now overwhelmingly a girl's name; used here for a boy, a cross-sex point we flag honestly.Low

In 30 seconds: A name of two routes: Alison began partly for boys but is now overwhelmingly a girl's name, from Alice, 'noble' (said 'AL-ih-sun'). We flag the lean.
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Origin LowEnglish, French
MeaningFrom a medieval diminutive of Alice (itself from Adelaide, 'noble; nobility'), with the French -on ending. It began partly as a boy's/surname name but is now overwhelmingly a girl's name; used here for a boy, a cross-sex point we flag honestly.
U.S. rank (2022)#10927 ↘ Falling
2022 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1989
Total births (all-time)≈ 590

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 198919132022

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Alison comes from a medieval diminutive of Alice — from Adelaide, 'noble; nobility' — with the French -on ending. It appears historically as a boy's name and surname, yet today it is overwhelmingly a girl's given name. Used here for a boy, which we flag honestly, giving both routes (said 'AL-ih-sun').

For boys it appears very rarely, against far heavier girls' use. Rare, classic-rooted, and cross-sex.

Did you know? Alison grew from a medieval diminutive of Alice ('noble') and was once found for boys and as a surname — but today it reads overwhelmingly as a girl's name, so its use for a boy is a point we flag honestly (said 'AL-ih-sun').
Overall data confidence 42%
References — Alison — Diminutive of Alice ('noble'); historically boy/surname, now girl-dominant; cross-sex

Variations

AllisonAlysonAlisson

Nicknames

AlAli

Famous Bearers

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If you like Alison…

Allison— a like spelling of the name
Alistair— a like Al- classic
Harrison— a like -son surname name
Addison— a like -son cross-sex name

Explore names like Alison

By themeuncertainenglishcross-sexnobleclassic-rooted

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Alison mean?

Alison is from a medieval diminutive of Alice ('noble'); once found for boys, today it is overwhelmingly a girl's name — we give both routes.

How do you pronounce Alison?

It's said AL-ih-sun /ˈæl.ɪ.sən/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Alison a boy or girl name?

Alison is used here for a boy, but today it is overwhelmingly a girl's name — we flag the lean honestly.

How popular is Alison?

Alison is very rare for boys in the U.S., and far more common for girls.

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