Alastair
Boy name · 2,359 babies recorded · 1974–2025
Alastair: 2,359 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 116 births in 1983.
Alastair is the Scottish Gaelic form of Alexander, ultimately from the Greek Alexandros, meaning “defender of men.” Its most famous bearer is Alastair Sim, the beloved Scottish actor renowned for his portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge in the 1951 film adaptation of *A Christmas Carol*. The name shares its root with the ancient city of Alexandria in Egypt, founded by Alexander the Great. A notable variant is Alasdair, the traditional Gaelic spelling which remains popular in Scotland; in fact, the name has seen a steady, if modest, presence on Scottish birth registers for decades, often chosen to honour heritage while offering a slightly softer sound than the full Alexander.
Boy 51 of 52 years
- Peak year
- 1983116 babies
- Latest (2025)
- #4008 babies
- Total births
- 2,359since 1974
- 5-year trend
- ▼ 18%vs prior 5y