Alister

Alister is an English-language spelling of Scottish Alasdair, which belongs to the Alexander family. Its Greek roots combine defending or protecting with a word for men. The journey from Alexander to Alasdair and then Alister shows how a familiar classical name took on a distinct Scottish sound and written form.

Alistair and Alastair are close alternatives, while Alasdair preserves the Gaelic spelling. These choices share a history rather than having different meanings according to their final letters. Alister is especially compact on the page, and Al is a familiar shortening if one is wanted. For a family with Scottish connections, it offers a way to honor that tradition while using a spelling that many English readers can readily approach.