Alistair
Name meaning, origin, pronunciation, and popularity rankings
Origin:Irish
How to pronounce the name Alistair
Pronunciation guide for Alistair
ARPA
AE1 L IH0 S T EH2 R
IPA
ˈælɪˌstɛr
Pronunciation Breakdown
Detailed phonetic analysis of how to say Alistair
Syllables (3)
AE1 L IH0 S T EH2 R
Bold syllables indicate primary stress
Sound Breakdown
AE1
at (æ)L
lee (l)IH0
it (ɪ)S
sea (s)T
tea (t)EH2
Ed (ɛ)R
read (r)International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA)
ˈælɪˌstɛr
Standard international representation
Pronunciation Tips
• Alistair has 3 syllables. Take your time with each part.
• Emphasize the syllable marked in bold for correct pronunciation.
Name Statistics
Key metrics and characteristics of Alistair
Structure
Character Count
8
Syllable Count
3
Vowel Ratio
50%
Name Family
alis
Usability
Pronunciation Difficulty5/10
Moderate difficulty
International Friendliness10/10
Works well across languages
DNA profile of the name Alistair
Unique character and personality of the name Alistair
Name Personality
The Elegant
Elegant
Sophisticated
Formal
Key Characteristics
Length
Long
Distinctive and formal
Rhythm
Melodic
Rich and expressive
Sound
Balanced
Mix of vowels and consonants
Ease
Moderate
May require practice
Global
Universal
Works across cultures
Heritage
alis
Part of this name family
Letter Frequency
a×2
i×2
l×1
Most frequent letters in Alistair
Visual Pattern
Tall bars = vowels, Short bars = consonants
Name Statistics
📊
Syllables
3 syllables
🗣️
Ease of Pronunciation
Moderate
5/10 difficulty
🌍
International Friendliness
Excellent
10/10 global ease
Pronunciation Difficulty Comparison
How does Alistair compare to the average name?
Alistair5/10 😐
5.0
Average Name5.0/10
5.0
Alistair is average difficulty.
Difficulty Scale:
Very Easy (0–2)
Easy (2–4)
Moderate (4–6)← Alistair
Challenging (6–8)
Difficult (9–11)
👨👩👧👦Name Family
Names related to Alistair (root: alis)
Current Name
Alistair
Related Names (15)
Short variations:
Alis
Alisa
Alise
Medium variations:
Alisah
Alisan
Alisana
Alisande
Alisanne
Alisbha
Alischa
Aliscia
Alisdair
Long variations:
Alisabeth
Alisander
Alisandra
Alistair belongs to a family of 30 related names.Showing 15 most common variations.
What does the name Alistair mean?
The meaning and origin of Alistair
English
name
A male given name from Scottish Gaelic.
Etymology: From Scottish Gaelic Alasdair, from Norman Alexandre or Latin Alexandrus, from Ancient Greek Ἀλέξανδρος (Aléxandros), from ἀλέξω (aléxō, “I defend”) + ἀνδρ- (andr-), the stem of ἀνήρ (anḗr, “man”).
Meaning Theme
The emotional tone and themes in Alistair's meanings
Primary Theme
📖
Descriptive
Based on origin, place, or historical context
Theme Distribution
Descriptive
1
Name Numerology
Numerological analysis and letter patterns for Alistair
Life Path Number
8
The Achiever
Natural executives who excel at manifesting material success and authority.
Ambitious
Powerful
Business-minded
Authoritative
Most Common Letters
a×2
i×2
l×1
s×1
t×1
Sound Composition
Vowels
4(50%)
Consonants
4(50%)
Consonant-heavy names tend to sound more crisp and strong
Numerology Breakdown
a1
l3
i9
s1
t2
a1
i9
r9
Each letter is assigned a number (1-9). These are added together and reduced to find your Life Path Number.
Notable People Named Alistair
Famous individuals named Alistair
No notable people named Alistair are currently in our database.
Where is Alistair popular?
Countries where Alistair ranks in the top baby names
How popular is the name Alistair?
Popularity rankings and trends for Alistair around the world
Alistair Popularity in United States
Historical ranking trend for boys named Alistair
Lower rank numbers indicate higher popularity (e.g., #1 is most popular)
Country Comparison
How Alistair ranks across different countries
Showing top 2 countries by ranking (lower rank = more popular)
Parents who like Alistair also like these names
Names similar to Alistair in style, sound, and origin
What words rhyme with the name Alistair?
Rhyming words for Alistair
advacare
airfare
alastair
alternacare
americare
anywhere
appleshare
armchair
ashare
bakeware
bankshare
bundeswehr
childcare
compuware
conair
confair
cookware
cosmair
cycare
daycare
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Alistair mean in English?
A male given name from Scottish Gaelic.
How popular is Alistair in New Zealand?
Alistair is moderately popular in New Zealand as of 1969, ranking at #98. It ranks in the top 100 boys' names.
How popular is Alistair in United States?
Alistair is used but uncommon in United States as of 2024, ranking at #905. While it is used as a boys' name, it's relatively uncommon.
How do you pronounce Alistair?
IPA: /ˈælɪˌstɛr/ ARPA: AE1 L IH0 S T EH2 R This name has a moderate pronunciation difficulty.
How many syllables are in Alistair?
Alistair has 3 syllables.
Is Alistair easy to pronounce?
Alistair has moderate pronunciation difficulty. Some people may need to hear it a few times to get it right.
Is Alistair easy to pronounce internationally?
Yes, Alistair is extremely international-friendly (10/10). It uses sounds that are common across many languages and cultures, making it easy for people worldwide to pronounce.
What names are similar to Alistair?
Names similar to Alistair include: Alis, Alisa, Alisabeth, Alisah, Alisan. These names share similar sounds or roots.
Is Alistair a good baby name?
Alistair is a good baby name, particularly if you value names that are internationally friendly.
Is Alistair a boy or girl name?
Alistair can be used for any gender, though usage varies by culture and region. Check the rankings section to see gender distribution patterns.
How do you spell Alistair?
The name is spelled A-l-i-s-t-a-i-r. Common spelling variations include: Alis, Alisa, Alisabeth.
What are common nicknames for Alistair?
Common nicknames for Alistair include: Ali, Alisy, Aliie. Nicknames often develop naturally based on personal preference and family traditions.
What middle names go well with Alistair?
Middle names that pair well with Alistair include: James, Rose, Grace. Consider the flow and rhythm when saying the full name aloud. Names with different syllable counts often create a pleasant cadence.
What sibling names pair well with Alistair?
Sibling names that pair well with Alistair include: Alis, Alisa, Alisabeth, Alisah. These names share similar origins, sounds, or cultural backgrounds, creating a cohesive family naming theme.
Will teachers be able to pronounce Alistair?
Most teachers will be able to pronounce Alistair correctly after hearing it once or twice. It's relatively phonetic and doesn't contain unusual sound combinations. You may need to provide pronunciation guidance at the start of each school year.
What culture is the name Alistair from?
Alistair has a multicultural heritage, with potential roots in multiple linguistic and cultural traditions. Many names have complex etymological paths, being borrowed, adapted, and adopted across different cultures throughout history. This cultural journey often enriches the name with multiple layers of meaning and significance, reflecting the interconnected nature of human societies and their naming traditions.
Is Alistair suitable for a professional career?
Alistair is well-suited for professional contexts. It's internationally friendly for global careers and appropriate length for business cards and email addresses. Names that are easy to say, spell, and remember often have advantages in career settings, though ultimately competence matters far more than name choice.
Is Alistair a long or short name?
Alistair is a medium-length name with 8 letters (3 syllables). Medium-length names offer a good balance - substantial enough to feel complete, but not overly long for forms and documents.
What are common misspellings of Alistair?
Common spelling variations of Alistair include: Alisdair. Always verify the correct spelling with the parent.
What's the difference between Alistair and Alis?
Alistair and Alis are related names that share similar origins or sounds. Alistair is spelled Alistair while Alis is spelled Alis. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference, cultural background, or family tradition.