Find out how popular the first name Allistair has been for the last 18 years (from 2006 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Allistair by gender

Based on the last 18 years of data, Allistair is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 7 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Allistair.

The history of the first name Allistair

The name Allistair originated from the Scottish Gaelic name Alasdair, which is derived from the Greek name Alexandros. The name Alexandros is composed of the elements "alexo" meaning "to defend" and "andros" meaning "man". Alasdair is the Scottish Gaelic form of the name, which was later anglicized to Allistair.

The earliest recorded use of the name Allistair can be traced back to the late Middle Ages in Scotland. It gained popularity among Scottish clans and noble families, particularly in the Highlands and Islands regions. The name was often associated with strength, bravery, and leadership.

One of the earliest notable figures with the name Allistair was Allistair Og MacDonald, who lived in the 14th century and was a prominent chief of the Clan Donald. Another historical figure was Allistair MacColla, a famous Scottish military commander who fought in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms during the 17th century.

In the realm of literature, the name Allistair was immortalized in the works of Scottish novelist Sir Walter Scott. One of his most famous characters, Allistair McIvor, appeared in the novel "Waverley" published in 1814. This contributed to the name's popularity in the 19th century.

During the 20th century, several notable individuals bore the name Allistair. One was Allistair Cooke, a renowned British-American journalist and broadcaster who hosted the long-running television series "Masterpiece Theatre" from 1966 to 1992. Another was Allistair MacLean, a Scottish novelist known for his popular thriller and adventure stories, including "The Guns of Navarone" and "Ice Station Zebra".

In the realm of sports, Allistair Brownlee is a British triathlete who won gold medals in the triathlon event at the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics. Allistair Overeem is a Dutch mixed martial artist and kickboxer who has competed in various promotions, including the UFC and PRIDE Fighting Championships.

While the name Allistair has Scottish origins, it has gained popularity in various parts of the world, particularly in English-speaking countries. However, its roots can be traced back to the ancient Greek name Alexandros, which has influenced the development of many modern names across different cultures and languages.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Allistair was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Allistair, please contact us.

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