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Baby names

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Original poster

Immediate thoughts - Alastair?

59 replies

hulahoopqueen · 04/03/2022 09:29

DH and I like the name Alastair for upcoming DS.
Are there any drawbacks we might have overlooked?
I haven't heard the name around our area very much - for context, older DS has a "regal" name so I think it would fit well.
What are your immediate thoughts on the name?

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MimiDaisy11 · 10/03/2022 09:38

I'm biased as I have a baby with that name. Well, not quite that spelling. I went for the traditional spelling. I also noticed someone I went to uni with also named their child it so there are children with the name. I think if you accept that there is likely to be people occasionally spelling and pronouncing it differently then go for it.

mibbelucieachwell · 09/03/2022 14:02

The Alastair in my family is known as Ali. The only time I know of it being a problem for him was once when a bouncer in London thought he shouldn't have a Muslim name as he isn't Muslim. Maybe he thought Ali wasn't giving his real name or was taking the mic? Also, Sometimes people from predominantly Muslim countries think it's funny to meet a non Muslim called Ali, as they associate it so strongly with people from Muslim backgrounds.

CakeRattleandRoll · 09/03/2022 13:04

One of my favourite boys names. Love it.

demoness · 09/03/2022 11:58

I've met a few, who would be around the ages of 20 to 40. I don't currently know any children named Alastair though. I think it's a good name - masculine, familiar but not overused (at least not in my area). For me the only drawback would be the numerous spellings.

Caramelcap · 07/03/2022 19:55

It was very common at my secondary school (I'm 32) but haven't heard it much in recent years.

It's okay, I prefer it shortened to Ally/Ali.

ronjobbins · 07/03/2022 19:03

Absolutely adore Alasdair

FayCarew · 05/03/2022 13:26

I like it

Himawarigirl · 05/03/2022 08:58

I liked it a lot and though we’d use it for our ds. But everyone I mentioned it to people said some variation of ‘oh that’s nice, a little Ali will be so sweet’. The only Alastair I knew in real life only used his full name but I got the impression that it would always be shortened and I really didn’t like Ali so we didn’t go for it.

Giggorata · 05/03/2022 08:51

One of my grandchildren is called Alastair. I like it very much.

SquirrelG · 05/03/2022 02:10

I love the name - good choice OP!

Bimblepops · 05/03/2022 01:46

Very biased, but I love the name. There are spelling issues (other people) which will probably irritate you and your DS, but it’s not much in the grand scheme of things

Marty13 · 05/03/2022 01:42

I like it. And I don't think the different spellings matter (if they did a lot of names would be off limits as most names do have several spellings !)

BadgerStripes · 04/03/2022 23:17

I love it spelt Alasdair

WeasilyPleased · 04/03/2022 22:37

Strong, handsome name. I like it very much.

Newbeginnings90 · 04/03/2022 21:13

I also love it - good strong Scottish name!

Junobug · 04/03/2022 20:12

My only concern with names like this is the North/South pronunciation issue. I would say it more Alis-ter/ta whereas my dh family are definite Alis-taire, as posh as they possibly can.

OwletteOmlette · 04/03/2022 19:50

Lovely name, I know 3 grown up Alistairs and they are all lovely men!

RonCarlos · 04/03/2022 19:35

I know two at work who call themselves Alastair. One Al from Uni. I really like it!

Bobbins36 · 04/03/2022 19:34

Lovely name though personal preference is Alasdair, I think it’s closer to the Gaelic version?

Luredbyapomegranate · 04/03/2022 19:32

@Hohoholymoley

I like it. Classic but not common.
Exactly. Long as you don’t mind Al Alistair seems to be most common spelling
Bytrgrewd · 04/03/2022 19:23

@scottishnames

Bytrgrewd and others I think we're all agreed it's a good name! Smile
It’s fab - it almost makes me want another baby so I can use it!
scottishnames · 04/03/2022 19:21

Bytrgrewd and others I think we're all agreed it's a good name! Smile

DillDanding · 04/03/2022 19:11

I absolutely love it.

I know 2 adult Alistairs. One is known as Al and the other something else entirely.

Bytrgrewd · 04/03/2022 19:10

@hulahoopqueen

Thank you all for your feedback, it's genuinely lovely to hear that it's so highly regarded! *@deadlanguage* that's totally fair, it won't trouble me too much how others pronounce it to be honest - and of course if DS grows up and prefers one over the other then that's his choice! *@scottishnames* *@Bytrgrewd* I did take that tongue in cheek and it's definitely interesting to hear the origins of the name! :)
It is a great name! One of my dc has an anglicised spelling of a Gaelic name. Definitely easier than spelling the Gaelic version!
Bytrgrewd · 04/03/2022 19:08

@scottishnames

bytrgrewd No, of course not. I take, from the emoji, that you were joking. But the issue of different spellings had been raised by many posters before me. I just thought that it might be worth mentioning what the correct Gaelic spelling was, considering that it's a Gaelic version of a fairly international name (Alexander), and all that. I did not say that the OP should use that spelling. I simply offered information.
Yes definitely tongue in cheek Grin

I think names and their origin is fascinating. Like James/seamus/Hamish all being the same name.