Alistair

At a Glance

Meaning

Protector of men

Origin

Scottish Gaelic (form of Alexander)

Gender

Boy

Pronunciation

AL-ih-stairListen

Alistair is a boy's name from Scottish Gaelic, a form of Alexander, pronounced AL-ih-stair (IPA /ˈælɪstɛr/). It's often said to mean 'defender of mankind' or 'protector of the people,' but that's not quite precise — as with Alexander, the root andr- specifically means 'man/men,' so 'protector of men' is the more accurate translation. It's among worldly names.

Meaning & Origin of Alistair

Meaning: Protector of men.

Origin: Scottish Gaelic (form of Alexander).

A common claim: Alistair is often said to mean 'defender of mankind' or 'protector of the people.' Actually: As with Alexander, the root andr- specifically means 'man/men' — so 'defender of men' is the more precise translation than the popular 'mankind/people' gloss.

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Alistair

Popularity of Alistair

Alistair has stayed a rare pick in U.S. birth records from 1956 to 2024, peaking at #885 in 2016 with 247 babies and now standing at #905 in 2024 with 257 — a slightly lower rank despite a slightly higher count.

Names Like Alistair

These names share Alistair’s style, era or origin.

• Arran
• Calder
• Glen
• Innes
• Sorley
• Tavish

FAQ

What does the name Alistair mean?

Protector of men. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Alistair?

Alistair is pronounced AL-ih-stair (IPA: /ˈælɪstɛr/).

Is Alistair a popular name right now?

Alistair is near its all-time peak (#885 in 2016), ranked #905 in 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1956–2024.)

Make Alistair Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Alistair, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.