Alister

Meaning & origin

Alister is a Scottish variant of Alastair, itself a Gaelic form of Alexander, meaning 'defender of men'. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1924, but for decades it remained extremely rare. Since 1992, its trajectory has been steadily rising, and in 2025 it ranked 1688, given to about 1 in 17,609 boys. Its peak year so far was 2022, reflecting a growing appreciation for distinctively Scottish names in the United States. The most common states for Alister include Indiana, Ohio, and California, suggesting a broad geographic appeal. Unlike the more familiar Alistair or Alastair, the spelling Alister feels streamlined yet retains its Scottish heritage, appealing to parents seeking a name that is traditional but not overly common.

Alister is a Scottish variant of Alastair, the Gaelic form of Alexander. Alexander comes from the Greek name Alexandros, meaning 'defending men' (from alexein 'to defend' and aner 'man'). The name entered Scottish use through the Gaelic Alasdair, and the spelling Alister became established in the 20th century. It has been used consistently in Scotland and among Scottish diaspora, though it remains less common than Alastair.