Alistair is a distinctive choice, ranked #545 in 2024. Your child is likely to be the only Alistair in their class.
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UK Rank 2024
#545
US Rank #905
About the Name Alistair
Alistair has seen a notable decline in recent years, dropping 81 places in five years. It was most popular in 1996 at #133 — parents choosing it today are making a deliberately counter-trend decision. The name has been a consistent presence in UK records since 1996.
Alistair is distinctive enough that your child will likely be the only one in both their class and their school — standing out on every register.
In the US it sits at #905 — notably more popular in the UK than across the Atlantic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the name Alistair
Unlikely. With around 70 UK babies named Alistair per year, your child will almost certainly be the only Alistair in his class, and possibly the only one in the whole school.
Alistair has been declining in UK popularity, dropping 81 places in the last five years. Its peak was #133 in 1996. Choosing it now means he is likely to be among the last of his generation with this name.
Alistair is more popular in the UK (#545) than in the US (#905). Names with strong rankings in both countries tend to have broad cross-cultural appeal, working well for international families or those with ties to both nations.
Notable people named Alistair include: Alistair Appleton — Alistair Appleton is an English broadcaster, psychotherapist and meditation teacher.; Alistair Alcock — Alistair Alcock is a New Zealand cricketer.; Alistair Guss — Alistair Guss is an Australian alpine skier..
Alistair ranks #905 in the US top 1,000 (2024). It's recognised in America but considerably more popular in the UK.
70
UK babies named Alistair (2024)
< 1
Expected classmates with this name (class of 28)
~0.0
In a school of 600
↓ 81 places
Rank change (last 5 years)
🏫 Who else is in the room?
In a typical UK class of 28, highlighted children share the name Alistair
Likely around 1 other Alistair in the class
UK Popularity (1996–2024)
Rank and birth count · ONS official data
US Popularity (2020–2024)
Rank · SSA official data
✨ Similar names to Alistair
Names with a similar style — each with their own classroom story
Alexander Morrison "Alistair" Carmichael is a British politician who has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Orkney and Shetland since 2001. A member of the Liberal Democrats, he previously served in the Cameron–Clegg coalition as Secretary of State for Scotland from 2013 to 2015 and as Deputy Government Chief Whip from 2010 to 2013.
Alistair Murray Moffat is a Scottish writer and journalist, former director of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and former Rector of the University of St Andrews.
Alistair Maclean Darling, Baron Darling of Roulanish, was a British politician who served as Chancellor of the Exchequer under prime minister Gordon Brown from 2007 to 2010. A member of the Labour Party, he was a member of Parliament (MP) from 1987 to 2015, representing Edinburgh Central and Edinburgh South West.