Alistair

Alistair is a masculine given name of Scottish origin, an Anglicized form of the Scottish Gaelic Alasdair, which in turn derives from the Greek name Alexandros (Alexander). The original Greek elements alexein "to defend" and aner "man" give the name the common meaning "defender of men" or "defender of mankind." Common variants and spellings include Alastair, Alasdair, Alister, Allister and Alastair; diminutives include Al and Ali.

Pronunciation varies by dialect but is often rendered in English as /ˈælɪstər/ or /əˈlɪstər/. The name has longstanding use in Scotland and has spread throughout the English-speaking world, appearing in literature, public life and popular culture. It is associated with traditional Scottish naming practices but is not limited to any single region.

Several public figures have borne the name, including Alistair Cooke, a British-American journalist and broadcaster, and Alistair Darling, a British politician who served in senior government roles. In fiction, Alistair Theirin is a prominent character in the video game series Dragon Age, illustrating the name’s frequent appearance in contemporary storytelling.

Alistair remains a recognizable and versatile given name, balancing historic roots with modern usage. Its multiple spellings reflect regional pronunciation and personal preference, while its etymological connection to Alexander links it to a large family of related names across many languages.