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Baby names

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

Original poster

Alastair?

41 replies

JohnTheJonathan · 12/09/2020 22:26

Hello, one of mine and DW's favourite boys names is Alexander, along with all of the nicknames. However, because of its huge popularity I am rather put off of it so when thinking of other names I came up with Alastair as it has a similar kind of feel and sound to it as Alexander, but is slightly more unusual. Do people like it? Thank you

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deadlegs · 12/09/2020 23:17

I love it, but my DS is Alastair so I'm biased. We also toyed with Alexander before settling on the less common choice. He generally goes by Al, occasionally Ali/Ally.

The only thing to be aware of is the many different ways the name can be spelled, so as long as you can tolerate birthday cards with incorrect spelling you'll be fine. We've had many a chuckle over the different variations people come up with!

ArtichokeAardvark · 12/09/2020 23:16

I love Alastair and considered it for DS. Decided against it in the end as don't like either of the obvious shortenings (Al, Ali) but the full name is fab.

LadyGAgain · 12/09/2020 23:16

Lovely but I'd choose Alexander.

weebarra · 12/09/2020 23:12

I have an Alasdair. I only know a couple of others and one is my uncle.
He goes by Al and Ali mostly.

Palavah · 12/09/2020 23:08

I love it and prefer it to Alistair or (shudder) Alister.

MissHoney85 · 12/09/2020 23:06

I've only ever taught one Alastair in 9 years of primary school teaching so it's pretty rare. He was a lovely boy so I have nice associations! I like it, unusual without being wacky. If I ever have a boy he will have it as his middle name for family reasons.

Sunbird24 · 12/09/2020 23:00

Like it OP

raspberryshake · 12/09/2020 22:56

My DH is Alistair. I love it, and all the other spellings too. He's also Al, Ali, Wee Al depending on who we're talking to. Our DS is Alistair

Moonflower12 · 12/09/2020 22:52

It!

Moonflower12 · 12/09/2020 22:52

I love itv

Dogsgowoofwoof · 12/09/2020 22:39

My nephew (2) is Alistair. It’s not to my taste but a perfectly reasonable name and suits him.

SpeedofaSloth · 12/09/2020 22:37

Nice Smile

Bouncingbelle · 12/09/2020 22:34

It’s lovely, good for a boy and a man, timeless.

PlateTectonics · 12/09/2020 22:32

I love Alistair

DramaAlpaca · 12/09/2020 22:32

I really like it.

florascotia2 · 12/09/2020 22:31

They are the same name ( a nice name). Alasdair is the Scottish Gaelic version of Alexander. In England it's sometimes spelled Alastair with a 't', but the 'd' is correct in Gaelic.

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