Alister

“Variant of Allister — Defender of mankind” — Greek via Latin origin

Boy's name · #1688 in the US (2025) · 2020s

Alister has appeared in US records since 1924 — best rank #1330 (2022) · 1,659 babies named Alister all-time · 1 in 17,000 boys born in 2025.

Around the world: about 1 in 11,000 boys in Canada (2024).

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 8 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Famous Alisters

Alister McGrath — Northern Irish theologian, Anglican priest, and academic (born 1953)
Alister Jack — British politician
Alister Hardy — British marine biologist (1896–1985)
Alister McRae — Scottish rally driver
Alister Kirby — British rower (1886-1917)

Among 69 notable people named Alister:

Athletes appear 1.42× more often than among typical names — e.g. Alister Kirby, British rower (1886-1917).

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