Will my child share the name Alister with classmates?

Unlikely. With around 8 UK babies named Alister per year, your child will almost certainly be the only Alister in their class, and possibly the only one in the whole school.

Is Alister becoming more or less popular in the UK?

Alister is declining: down 260 places since 2020, to #2,664 in 2025. It peaked at #564 in 1996.

Is Alister a good choice for a distinctive name?

Alister is a distinctive choice sitting outside the mainstream UK top names. Parents choosing less common names often find their children appreciate the individuality as they grow up, rarely needing to add an initial to distinguish themselves.

Is Alister a popular baby name in the United States?

Alister does not appear in the US top 1,000 baby names, making it a distinctively British choice.

👦 Boy's name 💎 Relatively Unique UK #2664

Alister

🗳️ Add Alister to a family shortlist

Alister is a distinctive choice, ranked #2664 in 2025. Your child is likely to be the only Alister in their class.

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UK Rank 2025

#2664

About the Name Alister

Alister has seen a notable decline in recent years, dropping 851 places in five years. It was most popular in 1996 at #564 — parents choosing it today are making a deliberately counter-trend decision. The name has been a consistent presence in UK records since 1996.

Alister is rare in the UK, so your child is very likely to be the only Alister in their class.