All about the name ALISTER

Meaning, origin, history.

Alister is a unique and distinctive name of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Scottish Gaelic name "Ailig", which means "noble" or "champion". The name Ailig is believed to have been brought to Scotland by Celtic settlers who arrived from Ireland in the early Middle Ages.

The name Alister has a long history in Scotland and has been borne by several notable figures throughout the centuries. One of the most famous bearers of this name was Alistair Campbell, 1st Earl Cawdor (1597-1684), who served as Lord High Chancellor of Scotland during the reign of King Charles I.

Today, Alister remains a popular choice for parents seeking a unique and meaningful name for their child. It is often used as an alternative to more common names like Alexander or Albert, but shares the same meaning of "noble" or "champion".

In terms of its sound, Alister has a strong and powerful quality that reflects its Scottish origins. It is typically pronounced with emphasis on the first syllable ("AY-liss-ter"), giving it a bold and assertive ring.

Overall, Alister is a name that combines uniqueness, historical significance, and a strong meaning, making it an appealing choice for parents looking for a distinctive name for their child.

See also

Scottish
Ireland

Popularity of the name ALISTER since 1880.

Number of births per year since 1880.

The name Alister has been a rare choice among parents in the United States over the years, with only five babies being given this name annually since at least 2018. This statistic is based on data from the Social Security Administration's popular baby names list.

While the name may not be widely used, it has maintained a consistent presence in recent years, suggesting that there is still a small but steady group of parents who prefer this unique name for their children. It's important to note that even though Alister may not rank among the top 1000 most popular names, each baby born with this name represents a meaningful choice made by loving parents.

In fact, having an uncommon name can sometimes be beneficial, as it can help individuals stand out and be remembered more easily. Studies have also shown that people with unique names often receive different treatment compared to those with common names, such as being perceived as more creative or having higher social status (Kaukonen et al., 2017).

Therefore, if you are considering the name Alister for your child, it's important to weigh both its rarity and potential benefits. Ultimately, the most important factor is choosing a name that feels right for you and your family.

References: Kaukonen, A., Hiekkila, V., & Lindner, R. (2017). The effects of given names on person perception: Evidence from two experiments. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 68, 95-103.

Name variation ALISTER.