Alistair Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Alistair is a Scottish Gaelic name derived from Alexander, meaning 'defender of the people.' It evolved from the Greek Alexander through Gaelic forms. The name carries traits of nobility and strength, and while it does not have biblical relevance, it has gained historical popularity in English-speaking areas. Common variants include Alasdair and Alec, contributing to its modern image as a classic and distinguished name.
The name Alistair is most popular in Washington, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Alistair has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, too falling for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Alistair' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 6287th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 3998th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 3589th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 2274th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 974th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Alistair' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Alistair"
Pronunciation
/ˈælɪstə/
Origin
Scottish Gaelic
Etymology
The name Alistair is derived from the Scottish Gaelic form of Alexander, which means 'defender of the people.' It combines the elements 'Al' meaning 'noble' and 'stair' which is a form of 'Alexander.'
Meaning
defender of the people
Language Evolution
Alexander (Greek), Alasdair (Scottish Gaelic), Alistair (Scottish English)
Historical Usage
Alistair gained popularity in Scotland and other English-speaking countries during the 19th and 20th centuries, particularly as a variation of the more common Alexander.
Variants & Derivatives
Alasdair, Alistair, Alec, Alex
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Alistair is perceived as a distinguished and classic name, often associated with sophistication and a Scottish heritage.
Famous People
Alistair Cooke, a British-American journalist and broadcaster., Alistair Overeem, a Dutch mixed martial artist and former kickboxer.
Explore More Alistair Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Alistair"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Alistair"
"Alistair" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 6287th of 7552 | 13 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 3998th of 10718 | 107 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 3589th of 16616 | 236 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 2274th of 24088 | 824 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 974th of 23106 | 2,642 |
Regional Popularity of "Alistair" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- |
57.01% 2551st/4475 |
- |
47.06% 2973rd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
48.47% 2221st/4582 |
40.38% 2085th/5164 |
40.08% 2931st/7313 |
26.48% 1976th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
23.02% 917th/3984 |
23.65% 1061st/4487 |
15.95% 1088th/6822 |
14.47% 908th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Alistair" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Alistair"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Alistair" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.