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At a Glance: Name: Alistair – Meaning: protector of men – Origin: Scottish Gaelic (form of Alexander) – Gender: Boy – Pronunciation: AL-ih-stair
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
Phonetic: AL-ih-stair IPA: /ˈælɪstɛr/
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.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data, 1956–2024.
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Names With a Similar Story
Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names we have no style data for, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.
FAQ
What does the name Alistair mean?
Protector of men. (Source: Wiktionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Alistair)
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.)
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