Holding steady.
Popularity of Macallister since 1996
Babies named Macallister per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 29 |
| 2000s | 107 |
| 2010s | 105 |
| 2020s | 30 |
Meaning & origin
Macallister is a Scottish and Irish surname turned given name, reflecting the enduring appeal of Gaelic patronymics in modern naming. First recorded in the U.S. in 1996, it reached its peak usage in 2010 but has never entered the top 1,000 names for any year in the Social Security data. As of 2025, it remains a rare choice with a stable trajectory, appealing to parents drawn to Celtic heritage and the nickname 'Mac.' The name's history ties to Clan MacAlister, an ancient Highland clan. While not widely used, Macallister offers a distinctive alternative to more common surname-names like Mackenzie or Callister.
Macallister is an anglicized form of the Scottish Gaelic and Irish surname Mac Alasdair, meaning 'son of Alasdair'. Alasdair is the Gaelic form of Alexander, derived from the Greek Alexandros ('defender of men'). The surname originated as a patronymic in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, particularly associated with Clan MacAlister, a branch of Clan Donald. As a given name, Macallister emerged in the late 20th century, following the trend of using surnames as first names.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mac, Allister, Alec
Variants: McAllister, MacAlister
Sibling names for Macallister
Names that share Macallister's style, for a brother or sister.
