Rising since 1994, #3,848 for boys today.
Popularity of Alasdair since 1989
Babies named Alasdair per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 43 |
| 2000s | 85 |
| 2010s | 225 |
| 2020s | 167 |
Meaning & origin
Alasdair, a Scottish Gaelic form of Alexander, has been used in Scotland for centuries. In the United States, it has seen modest but steady use since its first recorded appearance in 1989. The name occupies a distinctive niche, ranking 3,848 in 2025 with about 1 in 61,003 boys receiving it. Its popularity rose gradually from 1994 onward, peaking in 2021 before a slight recent decline. While not concentrated in any particular state, it reflects a broader trend toward Celtic heritage names. Alasdair remains less common than Anglicized forms like Alistair or Alastair, appealing to parents seeking a direct link to Scottish tradition.
Alasdair is the Scottish Gaelic form of Alexander, from the Greek Alexandros (defending men). The name has been used in Scotland since the Middle Ages and is especially associated with the MacDonald clan, which historically used the patronymic MacAlasdair (son of Alasdair).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Al, Ally
Sibling names for Alasdair
Names that share Alasdair's style, for a brother or sister.
