What does Alistair mean?

Alistair is the Scottish Gaelic form of Alexander, meaning 'defender of men'.

How do you pronounce Alistair?

It is typically pronounced 'AL-iss-ter', with the emphasis on the first syllable.

Is Alistair a boy or girl name?

Alistair is traditionally a masculine given name.

What is the most common spelling of Alistair?

While 'Alistair' is common, 'Alastair' and the original Gaelic 'Alasdair' are also widely used in Scotland.

Name meaning & originAlistair

/AL-iss-ter/

Scottish GaelicBoy

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Alistair is a Scottish Gaelic boy's name pronounced /AL-iss-ter/. The beloved Scottish form of Alexander, meaning defender of men.

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Meaning of Alistair

The beloved Scottish form of Alexander, meaning defender of men.

Alistair is the anglicized spelling of Alasdair, the Scottish Gaelic derivative of the Greek name Alexandros. It combines 'alexein' (to defend) and 'aner' (man), historically translating to 'defender of men'.

Origin: Scottish Gaelic
Pronunciation: /AL-iss-ter/

Cultural background

The name is a quintessential Scottish classic that remains popular throughout the United Kingdom and Commonwealth nations. It is traditionally used as a masculine given name and carries an image of refined strength.

Variations & nicknames

Alasdair
Alastair
Allister
Alisdair
Ally
Al

Famous people named Alistair

Well-known namesakes — celebrities, historical figures and characters.

Alistair Cooke
British-American journalist and broadcaster known for 'Letter from America'.
Journalism · 1908–2004
Alistair MacLean
Best-selling Scottish novelist of thrillers and adventure stories.
Literature · 1922–1987
Alistair Overeem
Professional heavyweight mixed martial artist and kickboxer.
Sport · 1999–present
Alastair Campbell
British strategist and spokesman who served as Director of Communications for Tony Blair.
Politics · 1990s–present
Alistair Brownlee
British triathlete and two-time Olympic gold medalist.
Sport · 2000s–present
Alistair Theirin
Major companion and potential king in the Dragon Age video game series.
Gaming · 2009–present

Frequently asked about Alistair

What does Alistair mean?: Alistair is the Scottish Gaelic form of Alexander, meaning 'defender of men'.
How do you pronounce Alistair?: It is typically pronounced 'AL-iss-ter', with the emphasis on the first syllable.
Is Alistair a boy or girl name?: Alistair is traditionally a masculine given name.
What is the most common spelling of Alistair?: While 'Alistair' is common, 'Alastair' and the original Gaelic 'Alasdair' are also widely used in Scotland.

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