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    The first name Alastair

    A boy’s name from Scottish Gaelic meaning “alexander”.

    Pronounced /ˈæl.ə.stɚ/ 3 syllables Male

    Meaning and origin

    Scottish Gaelic origin

    Alastair means “alexander” in Scottish Gaelic.

    From Scottish Gaelic Alasdair (“Alexander”). Doublet of Alexander.

    From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

    Popularity

    Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

    In 2025, 25 boys were named Alastair, making it the 1,153rd most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 1996, with 166 births (#195).

    0100200 1996200020052010201520202025
    1,660
    babies named Alastair, 1996–2025
    #1,153
    rank in 2025
    1996
    peak year

    Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Alastair with other names.

    Popularity in the United States

    Babies named Alastair at birth, 1880–2025

    In 2025, 67 boys born in the United States were named Alastair, the 2,147th most popular boys’ name that year.

    03570 188018851890189519001905191019151920192519301935194019451950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025
    1,364
    babies named Alastair since 1880
    #2,147
    rank in 2025
    2025
    peak year

    US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

    Nicknames and spellings

    Other spellings and forms

    Famous people named Alastair

    16 on Wikidata, most written-about first

    • Alastair Reynolds
      British science fiction author (born 1966)
    • Alastair Cook
      English cricketer (born 1984)
    • Alastair McCorquodale
      British athlete (1925-2009)
    • Alastair Heathcote
      British rower, born 1977
    • Alastair Gordon
      Australian rower, born 1976
    • Alastair G. W. Cameron
      Canadian astrophysicist (1925–2005)
    • Alastair Fothergill
      British producer, born 1960
    • Alastair Stout
      British actor, born 2010
    • Alastair Denniston
      British cryptographer and Royal Navy Commander (1881-1961)
    • Alastair Bradley Martin
      American tennis player and art collector (1915–2010)
    • Alastair Mackenzie
      British actor, born 1970
    • Alastair Bruce, 5th Baron Aberdare
      British politician, born 1947

    More Scottish Gaelic boys’ names

    All 54 names of Scottish Gaelic origin

    Questions

    What does the name Alastair mean?
    Alastair means “alexander” in Scottish Gaelic.
    What is the origin of the name Alastair?
    From Scottish Gaelic Alasdair (“Alexander”). Doublet of Alexander.
    How popular is the name Alastair?
    In 2025, 25 boys born in England and Wales were named Alastair, ranking 1,153rd. Its peak was 1996, with 166 births.
    Is Alastair a boy's or a girl's name?
    Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 1,364 US babies named Alastair since 1880 were boys.
    When was Alastair most popular?
    2025 in the United States, when 67 babies were named Alastair, its highest rank at 2,147th.
    How do you pronounce Alastair?
    Alastair is /ˈæl.ə.stɚ/, 3 syllables.
    What are other spellings of Alastair?
    Aleister.