Allison is a popular given name of English origin that has gained international recognition over the years. Its roots can be traced back to the Old English word "Alice," which was derived from the Germanic name "Adalheidis." This name is composed of two elements: "adal," meaning noble, and "haid," meaning kind or battle.
The name Allison evolved from Alice as a variant form in Scotland during the Middle Ages. It became more prevalent in the United States during the 20th century, particularly after World War II when many immigrants brought their unique names with them to America.
Historically, Allison has been associated with several notable figures throughout history. One such example is Allison Janney, an American actress known for her role as CJ Cregg on the television series "The West Wing." Another famous bearer of this name is Allison Patrick, a British astronomer who made significant contributions to the field of astrophysics.
In literature and popular culture, Allison has been used in various characters and storylines. For instance, it is the given name of the protagonist in the novel "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley, while also appearing as a character in works such as "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger.
Today, Allison continues to be an appealing choice for parents seeking a strong yet feminine name with roots deep in history and culture. It has consistently ranked among the top 100 names for girls in countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia since the mid-20th century. Despite its popularity, it remains a timeless option that transcends trends and maintains a classic charm.
The name Allison has a fascinating history of popularity and fluctuation over the years in the United States. In the early 20th century, its usage was quite limited, with only single-digit numbers of births each year from 1908 to 1929.
However, starting from the 1930s, there was a gradual increase in the popularity of the name Allison. The number of births jumped significantly in 1946 to 85 and continued to rise throughout the 1950s, reaching an all-time high of 2630 births in 1970.
The 1970s and 1980s saw a steady increase in the popularity of the name Allison. In 1980 alone, there were 4869 births, and this number continued to grow, reaching a peak of 8150 births in 1994.
Despite its popularity, the usage of the name Allison started to decline in the late 1990s and early 2000s. By 2005, there were only 5634 births recorded for the name Allison, marking a significant decrease from previous years.
The trend continued throughout the 2000s and 2010s, with the number of births for the name Allison fluctuating between approximately 5000 to 6000 each year. However, since 2017, there has been a noticeable decrease in popularity, with only 3692 births recorded that year.
As of 2022, the total number of births for the name Allison in the United States is approximately 313885. Despite its ups and downs in popularity over the years, the name Allison remains a classic choice among parents, holding its own against other popular names like Emma, Olivia, and Sophia.
Overall, these statistics provide insight into the historical trends of the name Allison's popularity in the United States. They demonstrate that while the name has seen periods of high usage, it has also experienced significant declines over time. Nevertheless, Allison remains a timeless choice for parents looking to name their daughters with a traditional yet enduring moniker.