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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

How do you pronounce

80 replies

DeStijl · 10/01/2018 19:58

Alistair?
Our 9 week old is Alistair and there's been some real variation in how people are saying it.

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8DaysAWeek · 10/01/2018 20:51

Ah-lis-tir

MaisyPops · 10/01/2018 20:43

Al-is-ta / al-is-ter depending on where in my region you are. Northern here.

Tansilie · 10/01/2018 20:39

Al-i-stuh

SE

Notreallyarsed · 10/01/2018 20:25

I didn't think it was a particularly "posh" name and I'm worried we've saddled him with something people think is poncey or try hard

It’s news to me that it’s a posh name and I’m Scottish! Every Alastair I’ve ever met has been an “Ally” (pronounced Ali)

UnderTheDesk · 10/01/2018 20:25

Allah-Ster.

I get irrationally annoyed when people don't pronounce the Rs in words that clearly have them. I know it's a regional thing but...Jesus Christ, there's an R right fucking there, why won't you pronounce it? What's wrong with you? Do you have a lisp or what? Grin

meandmytinfoilhat · 10/01/2018 20:24

Al-iss-tur

RaindropsAndSparkles · 10/01/2018 20:23

Alistuh. I'm posh and London. Alistair is Scottish.

Original poster
DeStijl · 10/01/2018 20:22

We're in the south east if that makes any difference. I know there'll be variations with different accents, it's just people here also say things like "oooh very posh" or "fancy". I didn't think it was a particularly "posh" name and I'm worried we've saddled him with something people think is poncey or try hard.

OP posts:
SorenLorensonsInvisibleFriend · 10/01/2018 20:21

Ooh, good question. Just written as a baby's name, I pronounced it "Al-i-stair"

However, if I were talking about the England cricketer or Tony Blair's fella, I instinctively say, "Al-i-stuh" Cook or Campbell!

Notreallyarsed · 10/01/2018 20:21

Ah-liss-stair. Scottish here.

OpenthePickles · 10/01/2018 20:18

A-list-air

hereandnowtoday · 10/01/2018 20:18

Al-is-tair. I know a fair few of them. It is the Scottish Gaelic for Alexander btw (various variations of spelling).

NancyJoan · 10/01/2018 20:15

Ahliss-staaair. I'n not taking the mick, that's my voice.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 10/01/2018 20:11

I've just had a practice and I seem to say both

Alice-stuh and
Al-iss-stair

Sort of.

UserOneBillion · 10/01/2018 20:09

Ah-liss-stair
(London, but i’m a bit posh)

BertrandRussell · 10/01/2018 20:08

Scottish is rhyming with -chair, surely?

BuzzKillington · 10/01/2018 20:07

alis-stuh.

ali-stair is just annoying.

SwinginFromTheChandelier · 10/01/2018 20:05

Al-is-tair (rhymes with chair)

Home Counties

Original poster
DeStijl · 10/01/2018 20:05

The majority of people say "alis-stuh"
A few people say "ali-staaaair" with a really drawn out emphasis on the stair a bit like they're taking the mick Blush

OP posts:
OvO · 10/01/2018 20:03

Al-is-stair.

It wouldn't even occur to me that you wouldn't pronounce it as stair at the end. Every day a school day. Grin

Pecano · 10/01/2018 20:01

Al-list-ta

dementedpixie · 10/01/2018 20:01

Alli-stir

rebelrosie12 · 10/01/2018 20:00

Al is tuh

ShatnersBassoon · 10/01/2018 20:00

Alista. I know a young one and an old one, and neither of them prefers a stair ending.

NewSense · 10/01/2018 20:00

Al-iss-tuh

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