Alistair
/ˈælɪstər/noun
A masculine given name, a Scottish Gaelic form of Alexander.
Did you know?Alistair ultimately comes from Ancient Greek Alexandros, a name formed from alexein, “to ward off,” and aner, “man”—a linguistic identity built around protection.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₂lek-
“To ward off, protect, or keep at bay”
Ancient Greek
Greek
alexein
“To ward off or defend”
Ancient Greek
Greek
Alexandros
“Defender of men; formed from alexein, “to ward off,” and aner, “man””
Late Antiquity
Latin
Alexander
“The Latin form of the Greek personal name”
Medieval Period
Scottish Gaelic
Alasdair
“Scottish Gaelic form of Alexander”
Modern English
English
Alistair
“An English spelling of the Scottish name Alasdair”
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