Alastair

📖 About Alastair

Alastair is a Scottish English form of the Gaelic name Alasdair, itself derived from the Greek Alexandros (Ἀλέξανδρος), meaning "defender of the people." The name entered Scotland through the influence of Alexander III of Scotland in the 13th century, becoming deeply embedded in Highland culture. While Alexander took root across Europe in its Latin form, the Gaelic-speaking Scots transformed it into Alasdair, which was later anglicised as Alastair, Alistair, and Alister. The spelling Alastair is considered the most traditionally Scottish of these variants. The name enjoyed steady use in Britain throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, particularly among Scottish families, and gained broader recognition through figures in journalism, literature, and public life. It carries connotations of intellectual authority and quiet strength, remaining a distinguished choice that signals Scottish heritage without being overtly archaic.