Alistair

Name meaning, origin, pronunciation, and popularity rankings

Origin:Irish
Names Ending in RLong NamesThree Syllable Names
Generate more names like AlistairCompare with other namesFind similar names
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:

Alamo

Medium variations:

Alaniz
Alaric
Alastair
Alaster
Alberson
Albion
Albury
Alchemy
Algarin
Algernon

Long variations:

Albemarle
Albertine
Albertson
Albritton

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.

How popular is the name Alistair?
Popularity rankings for Alistair around the world
CountryGenderRankYears
United Kingdomboy#4712018-2018
United Statesboy#9282017-2017
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
AlamoAlanizAlaricAlastairAlasterAlbemarleAlbersonAlbertineAlbertsonAlbionAlbrittonAlburyAlchemyAlgarinAlgernonAlibiAlihanAlisonAlisterAllbrittonAllgaierAllinsonAllisonAllowayAllysonAlsobrookAlvarezAlabasterAlanAland
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 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: Alamo, Alaniz, Alaric, Alastair, Alaster. 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: Alamo, Alaniz, Alaric.
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: Alamo, Alaniz, Alaric, Alastair. 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: Alastair, Alister. Always verify the correct spelling with the parent.
What's the difference between Alistair and Alamo?
Alistair and Alamo are related names that share similar origins or sounds. Alistair is spelled Alistair while Alamo is spelled Alamo. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference, cultural background, or family tradition.