Alistair Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Alistair is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Alistair?
Alistair is spelled A-L-I-S-T-A-I-R. The name has 8 letters.
Alistair at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- Alistair is commonly derived from a Scottish form of Alexander, which means “defender of the people.”
- Origin
- Alistair is commonly associated with Scottish usage and is considered a form of the name Alexander with Gaelic influences.
- Pronunciation
- al-iss-TAIR · 3 syllables
Alistair Popularity in 2025
Rank#897
Recorded Births265
- Boys usage rose 12 places to #897 and recorded 8 more births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Alistair Mean?
Alistair is commonly derived from a Scottish form of Alexander, which means “defender of the people.”
Origin: Alistair is commonly associated with Scottish usage and is considered a form of the name Alexander with Gaelic influences.
How Do You Pronounce Alistair?
Pronunciational-iss-TAIR
Syllables3
What Is the History of the Name Alistair?
- History
- The name Alistair has been used in Scotland and English-speaking countries and is documented in historical records related to Scottish naming traditions.
Alistair Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2002 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | 265 | #897 |
| 2024 | Boys | 257 | #909 |
| 2023 | Boys | 250 | #921 |
| 2022 | Boys | 248 | #929 |
| 2021 | Boys | 255 | #901 |
| 2020 | Boys | 226 | #961 |
| 2019 | Boys | 221 | #968 |
| 2018 | Boys | 205 | #1,009 |
| 2017 | Boys | 225 | #929 |
| 2016 | Boys | 247 | #885 |
| 2015 | Boys | 198 | #1,023 |
| 2014 | Boys | 179 | #1,080 |
| 2013 | Boys | 132 | #1,305 |
| 2012 | Boys | 126 | #1,346 |
| 2011 | Boys | 108 | #1,495 |
| 2010 | Boys | 81 | #1,806 |
| 2009 | Boys | 90 | #1,717 |
| 2008 | Boys | 68 | #2,039 |
| 2007 | Boys | 71 | #1,972 |
| 2006 | Boys | 53 | #2,348 |
| 2005 | Boys | 42 | #2,614 |
| 2004 | Boys | 31 | #3,158 |
| 2003 | Boys | 23 | #3,732 |
| 2002 | Boys | 26 | #3,349 |
When Was Alistair Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
2025 · Boys
265 recorded births
National rank #897
2024 · Boys
257 recorded births
National rank #909
2021 · Boys
255 recorded births
National rank #901
2023 · Boys
250 recorded births
National rank #921
Where Alistair Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Boys
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| CO | #535 | 10 |
| MO | #559 | 10 |
| MA | #620 | 7 |
| OK | #698 | 5 |
| MD | #702 | 6 |
| UT | #703 | 5 |
| KY | #708 | 5 |
| TN | #719 | 9 |