Allison is a feminine given name of English origin. It is derived from the medieval female given name Alice, which was itself derived from the Old French name Aalis or Adeline. These names are believed to have been variations of the Germanic name Adalheidis, which means "noble and kind."
The name Allison has been in use for centuries, but it gained significant popularity during the 20th century. It became particularly popular in the United States after the 1950s.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne this name. For instance, Allison Janney is a renowned American actress known for her role in the television series "The West Wing," while Allison Pataki is an American novelist who has written several books including "Revolutionary" and "The Traitor's Wife."
In literature and popular culture, Allison has also been used as a character name. One notable example is Allison Reynolds, played by Ally Sheedy in the 1985 film "The Breakfast Club.
"The name Allison peaked in popularity during the mid-1980s with a total of 63 recorded births over nine years."