Alistair – Meaning and Origin
Alistair is a Scottish name derived from the Gaelic personal name Alastar, which is composed of two elements: “alas” meaning “rock” or “stone” and “tair” meaning “one who is noble.” The name was popularized in Scotland by King Malcolm III, who was known as Alastar mac Mhaol Chaluim in Gaelic.
The name Alistair has been used in Scotland since at least the 12th century, when it was recorded as Ailestare. It has also been spelled in various ways over the centuries, including Allaster, Allester, Allister, Alyster, and Elstare.
Popularity
Alistair is a popular name in Scotland and other parts of the United Kingdom. In England and Wales, it ranked #717 for boys born in 2018. In Scotland, it ranked #51 for boys born in 2018. It is also popular in Australia and New Zealand.
Famous People Named Alistair
There are many famous people named Alistair, including:
- Alistair Cooke (1908-2004), British-American journalist and broadcaster
- Alistair MacLeod (1936-2014), Canadian novelist and short story writer
- Alistair Brownlee (born 1988), British triathlete
- Alistair Darling (born 1953), British politician
- Alistair Overeem (born 1980), Dutch mixed martial artist
- Alistair Appleton (born 1967), British television presenter
Variations of the Name Alistair
Variations of the name Alistair include: Alasdhair, Alastar, Aleister, Allaster, Allester, Allister, Alyster, Elstare.
