Boy
Alistair
defender of mankind, protector of men
About Alistair
Distinguished, refined, unmistakably classic—Alistair belongs to that rare category of names that instantly convey intelligence and character. The name carries centuries of history while somehow avoiding any sense of being outdated or stuffy. Its formal structure and elegant pronunciation make it particularly appealing to parents who appreciate traditional names with authentic heritage. Alistair suggests someone who values knowledge, culture, and thoughtful discourse. The name has an almost literary quality, bringing to mind scholars, leaders, and creative thinkers throughout history. Yet it remains wonderfully wearable for modern boys, offering built-in nickname options like Al or Ally for more casual settings. The Scottish connection adds cultural depth without limiting the name's universal appeal. Alistair sounds equally appropriate in academic settings, creative fields, or business environments. It's a name that commands respect while remaining warm and personable. Parents choosing Alistair often seek something timeless rather than trendy, a name that will serve their son well throughout every chapter of his life, from childhood adventures to adult achievements.
Popularity of the Name Alistair
Rank among the 1,000 most popular baby names, by year.
| United States | United Kingdom | New Zealand | Ireland | Canada | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | #885 | #389 | #718 | #531 | |
| 2017 | #929 | #386 | #614 | #587 | |
| 2019 | #968 | #436 | #535 | #624 | |
| 2020 | #961 | #429 | #389 | #711 | #661 |
| 2021 | #902 | #533 | #605 | #623 | |
| 2022 | #929 | #494 | #685 | ||
| 2023 | #921 | #502 | #499 | #712 | |
| 2024 | #909 | #511 | #758 | #768 | |
| 2025 | #897 | #496 | #494 | #614 | |
| 1997 | #137 | #352 | #821 | ||
| 1998 | #138 | ||||
| 1999 | #155 | ||||
| 2000 | #179 | ||||
| 2001 | #193 | ||||
| 2002 | #222 | ||||
| 2003 | #213 | ||||
| 2004 | #216 | ||||
| 2005 | #269 | #448 | |||
| 2006 | #245 | #600 | #949 | ||
| 2007 | #262 | #808 | |||
| 2008 | #289 | #474 | |||
| 2009 | #324 | ||||
| 2010 | #354 | #890 | |||
| 2011 | #336 | #766 | |||
| 2012 | #322 | #679 | |||
| 2013 | #325 | #535 | #718 | ||
| 2014 | #350 | #613 | #585 | ||
| 2015 | #381 | #522 | |||
| 2018 | #447 | #618 | |||
| 1929 | #153 | ||||
| 1931 | #128 | ||||
| 1933 | #119 | ||||
| 1935 | #121 | ||||
| 1936 | #140 | ||||
| 1937 | #155 | ||||
| 1938 | #124 | ||||
| 1939 | #117 | ||||
| 1940 | #154 | ||||
| 1941 | #115 | ||||
| 1942 | #113 | ||||
| 1943 | #115 | ||||
| 1944 | #102 | ||||
| 1945 | #116 | ||||
| 1946 | #106 | ||||
| 1947 | #114 | ||||
| 1948 | #123 | ||||
| 1949 | #92 | ||||
| 1950 | #103 | ||||
| 1951 | #96 | ||||
| 1952 | #111 | ||||
| 1953 | #99 | ||||
| 1954 | #106 | ||||
| 1955 | #113 | ||||
| 1956 | #96 | ||||
| 1957 | #100 | ||||
| 1958 | #87 | ||||
| 1959 | #94 | ||||
| 1960 | #93 | ||||
| 1961 | #95 | ||||
| 1962 | #89 | ||||
| 1963 | #104 | ||||
| 1964 | #99 | ||||
| 1965 | #111 | ||||
| 1966 | #162 | ||||
| 1967 | #110 | ||||
| 1968 | #109 | ||||
| 1969 | #98 | #292 | |||
| 1970 | #134 | #279 | |||
| 1971 | #146 | ||||
| 1972 | #124 | ||||
| 1973 | #126 | ||||
| 1974 | #147 | #272 | |||
| 1975 | #142 | #322 | |||
| 1976 | #142 | #258 | |||
| 1977 | #134 | ||||
| 1978 | #202 | ||||
| 1979 | #192 | #245 | |||
| 1980 | #181 | #289 | |||
| 1981 | #205 | #261 | |||
| 1982 | #184 | ||||
| 1983 | #155 | ||||
| 1984 | #172 | ||||
| 1985 | #177 | #307 | |||
| 1986 | #146 | #259 | |||
| 1987 | #214 | #304 | |||
| 1988 | #185 | ||||
| 1989 | #189 | ||||
| 1990 | #213 | #325 | |||
| 1991 | #198 | ||||
| 1992 | #200 | #341 | #705 | ||
| 1993 | #206 | ||||
| 1994 | #251 | #960 | |||
| 1995 | #230 | #336 | #946 | ||
| 1996 | #291 |
Top names by country: United States · United Kingdom · New Zealand · Ireland · Canada
Variations of Name Alistair
Names Similar to Alistair
Nicknames for Alistair
- Al
- Ali
- Stair
- Ally
Famous People Named Alistair
| Alistair Brownlee | British triathlete and Olympic gold medalist |
| Alistair Cooke | British-American journalist and broadcaster |
| Alistair Darling | British politician and former Chancellor of the Exchequer |
| Alistair Hulett | Australian folk singer and political activist |
| Alistair MacLean | Scottish novelist and author of adventure thrillers |
| Alistair McGowan | British comedian, impressionist, and actor |
| Alistair Urquhart | Scottish World War II veteran and author |
| Alistair Whitton | British professional BMX rider |
| Alistair Carmichael | British politician and Member of Parliament |
| Alistair Edwards | Australian former football - soccer player |
| Alistair Griffin | British singer-songwriter and musician |
| Alistair Hennessey | English footballer |
| Alistair Johnston | Canadian soccer player |
| Alistair Mackenzie | Scottish actor |
| Alistair Murdoch | Scottish rugby union player |
| Alistair Overeem | British television presenter and journalist |
| Alistair Taylor | British music executive and artist manager |
| Alistair Brown | Scottish cricket player |
Characters Named Alistair
| Alistair Theirin | A character from the Dragon Age video game series |
| Alistair Wonderland | Son of Alice in the TV series "Ever After High" |
| Alistair Crane | A character from the TV series "Passions" |
| Alistair Knight | A character from the anime series "Viewtiful Joe" |
| Alistair Brammer | A character from the musical "Miss Saigon" |
| Alistair Cookie | A parody of Sesame Street's Cookie Monster from "Monsterpiece Theater" |
| Alistair Peck | A character from the TV series "The Twilight Zone" |
| Alistair Loveless | A character from the comic series "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" |
| Alistair Greystone | A character from the TV series "Andromeda" |
| Alistair "Copper" Craig | A character from the video game "We Happy Few" |
| Alistair Kingsleigh | A character from the movie "Alice in Wonderland" |
| Alistair Smith | A character from the TV series "The West Wing" |
| Alistair Ryle | A character from the movie "A Mighty Wind" |
| Alistair Krei | A character from the animated series "Transformers - Robots in Disguise" |
| Alistair Smythe | A character from the animated series "Spider-Man - The Animated Series" |
| Alistair Bloom | A character from the TV series "Doctor Who" |
| Alistair Fitz | A character from the TV series "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D" |
| Alistair Cork | A character from the video game "Deus Ex" |