Declining since 2013, #5,608 for boys today.
Popularity of Alston since 1894
Babies named Alston per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2017, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Alston's real moment was 1894.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 7 |
| 1900s | 0 |
| 1910s | 108 |
| 1920s | 155 |
| 1930s | 113 |
| 1940s | 92 |
| 1950s | 93 |
| 1960s | 77 |
| 1970s | 72 |
| 1980s | 152 |
| 1990s | 471 |
| 2000s | 469 |
| 2010s | 594 |
| 2020s | 175 |
Meaning & origin
Alston is a rare masculine given name in the United States, with its highest recorded usage in its first year of appearance, 1894, when it ranked 5,608. Since 2013, its popularity has been falling, making it an uncommon choice today; in 2025, roughly 1 in 106,755 babies received the name. Though it has never been a mainstream favorite, its surname-like quality and short, crisp sound appeal to parents seeking a distinctive yet straightforward name. No top states were recorded for Alston, reflecting its sporadic use across the country.
Alston is primarily an English surname turned given name, derived from various place names in England, such as Alston in Cumbria. The place name likely comes from the Old English personal name 'Ælf' plus 'tun' meaning 'settlement', but the exact origin is debated. As a first name, Alston has seen occasional use since the late 19th century, never ranking among the top names in the United States.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Al
Variants: Allston
Sibling names for Alston
Names that share Alston's style, for a brother or sister.
