Alastor is a unique and uncommon male given name of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Scottish Gaelic word "Alasdair," which means "champion." The name Alastor has been used throughout history, with notable figures bearing this name including Alastair Reid, a prominent Scottish poet and translator, and Alastair Campbell, a British political aide and communicator.
The name Alastor is often associated with the supernatural due to its appearance in various literary works. In John Keats' poem "Lamia," there is a character named Alastor who is a spirit that can take on different forms. Additionally, Alastor is also the name of the demon in Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem "The Devil and the Lady."
Despite these supernatural associations, the name Alastor is simply a Scottish given name with a meaningful origin. It is not associated with any specific religious or cultural celebrations or festivals. While it may be less common than other male names, those who bear the name Alastor carry with them a unique and rich history that stretches back to Scotland's past.
In terms of pronunciation, Alastor is typically pronounced as "A-la-STOR." It consists of two syllables, with the stress falling on the second syllable. The name can be spelled in various ways, including Alastair, Alastore, and Alastor, among others. However, the most common spelling is simply Alastor.
Overall, Alastor is a distinctive and meaningful male given name with Scottish origins. While it may have some supernatural associations due to its appearance in literature, at its core, Alastor is simply a name that means "champion" and has been carried by notable figures throughout history.
The name Alastor has seen a steady increase in popularity over the years, with a significant jump from 23 births in 2018 to 37 births in 2019. This trend continued into 2022 with 42 births, making it one of the most popular years for the name. However, there was a slight decrease in 2023 with 33 births. Overall, Alastor has been chosen for 255 newborns since 2011.