Alastair Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: AL-uh-steer /ˈæləsˌtɛr/
Origin: Scottish; Greek
Meaning: Scottish: defender of mankind; Greek: man of peace
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Alastair is of Scottish Gaelic origin, derived from the name Alasdair, which is a form of the name Alexander. The etymology can be traced back to the Greek name Alexandros, composed of the elements 'alexein,' meaning 'to defend,' and 'aner,' meaning 'man.' This Greek name was adopted into Latin as Alexander, and subsequently made its way into Old French as Alexandre before evolving into its Gaelic form.
The transition into English occurred through the influence of Scottish culture, particularly during the Middle Ages when the name became associated with various Scottish nobility and clans. Historically, the name Alastair has been borne by several notable figures, particularly in Scotland.
One prominent example is Alasdair MacColla, a 17th-century Gaelic nobleman who played a significant role in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. The name also appears in various historical texts and documents throughout the centuries, reflecting its enduring presence in Scottish heritage.
The name gained further recognition through literary works and translations, including the King James Bible, which contributed to the dissemination of biblical names across English-speaking regions. Culturally, Alastair is often associated with qualities of strength and protection, resonating with the original meaning of Alexander.
The name has been embraced in various forms of Scottish literature and folklore, symbolizing leadership and valor. Additionally, diminutive forms such as Al or Ally have emerged, reflecting a more familiar or affectionate usage, though they are not as historically significant as the full name.
The enduring legacy of Alastair in Scottish history and culture underscores its importance as a name that embodies both heritage and character.
Famous people named Alastair
In this section, you will find notable people named Alastair. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Alastair who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Alastair who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Alastair Cook is a cricketer best known for being England's Test cricket captain and his record for the most runs in Test matches for England.
Alastair Sim is an actor best known for Scrooge, The Belles of St. Trinian's, and The Happiest Days of Your Life.
Alastair MacLeod is an author best known for his novels No Great Mischief, The Lost Salt Gift of Blood, and Island.
Fictional characters named Alastair
The following list of fictional characters named Alastair is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Alastair is a fictional character from the video game series Dragon Age. He is a key character in the story, serving as a Grey Warden and a potential love interest for the player character.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Alastair, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Alastair. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Alastair was first seen in the United States in 1922.
Alastair has ranked as high as #4581 nationally, which occurred in 2025, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Florida, Indiana, and Michigan.
In the past 5 years the name Alastair has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Alastair is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Alastair was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Alastair.
| Year | Total Births | Boy |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 67 | 67 |
| 2024 | 59 | 59 |
| 2023 | 60 | 60 |
| 2022 | 50 | 50 |
| 2021 | 61 | 61 |
| 2020 | 39 | 39 |
| 2019 | 62 | 62 |
| 2018 | 46 | 46 |
| 2017 | 61 | 61 |
| 2016 | 50 | 50 |
| 2015 | 47 | 47 |
| 2014 | 36 | 36 |
| 2013 | 28 | 28 |
| 2012 | 38 | 38 |
| 2011 | 27 | 27 |
| 2010 | 25 | 25 |
| 2009 | 33 | 33 |
| 2008 | 37 | 37 |
| 2007 | 29 | 29 |
| 2006 | 36 | 36 |
| 2005 | 24 | 24 |
| 2004 | 18 | 18 |
| 2003 | 13 | 13 |
| 2002 | 13 | 13 |
| 2001 | 14 | 14 |
| 2000 | 13 | 13 |
| 1999 | 15 | 15 |
| 1998 | 10 | 10 |
| 1997 | 17 | 17 |
| 1996 | 17 | 17 |
| 1995 | 17 | 17 |
| 1994 | 11 | 11 |
| 1993 | 16 | 16 |
| 1992 | 22 | 22 |
| 1991 | 14 | 14 |
| 1990 | 13 | 13 |
| 1989 | 18 | 18 |
| 1988 | 20 | 20 |
| 1987 | 19 | 19 |
| 1986 | 24 | 24 |
| 1985 | 14 | 14 |
| 1984 | 12 | 12 |
| 1983 | 6 | 6 |
| 1982 | 10 | 10 |
| 1981 | 14 | 14 |
| 1980 | 8 | 8 |
| 1979 | 6 | 6 |
| 1978 | 6 | 6 |
| 1977 | 8 | 8 |
| 1974 | 6 | 6 |
| 1972 | 8 | 8 |
| 1971 | 5 | 5 |
| 1970 | 9 | 9 |
| 1969 | 5 | 5 |
| 1962 | 5 | 5 |
| 1948 | 6 | 6 |
| 1929 | 7 | 7 |
| 1925 | 5 | 5 |
| 1922 | 5 | 5 |
Top States for Alastair (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 5 |