Allison

Meaning & origin

Allison has been a steady presence on the U.S. popularity charts since records began in 1908, but its journey has been anything but flat. After a modest debut, the name climbed gradually, reaching its peak rank of 31st in 1995, when it was given to nearly 10,000 baby girls. Since that year, however, it has been on a steady decline, falling to 103rd in 2025. At its current rate, approximately 1 in 627 newborn girls receives the name. Geographically, Allison has found particular favor in Nevada, Delaware, and New Hampshire, suggesting a regional preference that has helped sustain its usage even as national numbers drop. Despite the downturn, Allison remains a familiar and well-liked choice, neither outdated nor trendy, and its long history in the United States ensures it will not disappear quickly.

Allison is a medieval diminutive of the name Alice, derived from the Old French name Aalis, itself from the Germanic name Adalheidis, meaning 'noble' or 'of noble kind'. The name was brought to England by the Normans and became common in the Middle Ages, often spelled as Alyson or Alison. It experienced a resurgence in the late 20th century, particularly in the United States.