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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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Original poster
hulahoopqueen · 04/03/2022 18:45

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! :)

OP posts:
scottishnames · 04/03/2022 18:36

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.

Chikasan · 04/03/2022 18:16

I have a DS called Alastair (he’s in his 20s now) so I’m glad the name is getting a come back. And he’s lovely too(but I am a little biased)

Wishbub · 04/03/2022 18:14

Another fan here, and its meaning is 'defender/protector' x

TrashyPanda · 04/03/2022 18:12

Love it.

My favoured spelling is Alistair.

Bytrgrewd · 04/03/2022 18:09

@scottishnames

Nice name. If it matters, the correct Gaelic spelling is Alasdair. (As you will know, it's the Gaelic version of Alexander.) I know several, mostly with nicknames Ally/Ali or Alla.
With your user name I’m imagining that you’re employed in an official capacity by Visit Scotland to ensure that people choosing Scottish names are at least choosing the correct spelling Wink
SirChenjins · 04/03/2022 18:02

It’s a good, traditional, solid, Scottish name - what’s not to like!

deadlanguage · 04/03/2022 17:58

I like it. I would pronounce it Al-ass-tare though rather than alaster (I’m in England) so something worth bearing in mind. I don’t think spelling will be much of an issue though, there’s only a couple of ways to spell it and I thought that was the main one.

DramaAlpaca · 04/03/2022 17:55

My first thought is what a nice name it is, an underused classic.

scottishnames · 04/03/2022 17:23

Nice name.
If it matters, the correct Gaelic spelling is Alasdair. (As you will know, it's the Gaelic version of Alexander.)
I know several, mostly with nicknames Ally/Ali or Alla.

ThatsNotMyGolem · 04/03/2022 17:11

Makes me think of the newsreader Alastair Stewart, who used to present Police! Camera! Action! until he was done for drunk driving.

midsomermurderess · 04/03/2022 15:55

I really like it. The different spellings are much of a muchness. Here in Scotland, I don't think anyone would give it a second thought. Might it be a bit more unusual in England?

PlanetNormal · 04/03/2022 15:46

Proper, classic, masculine name. It’s a yes from me.

MrsBungle · 04/03/2022 15:22

Lovely.

IsadoraQuagmire · 04/03/2022 15:20

My immediate thought was Al (character AND actor's real name is Alastair) from Stath Lets Flats (a favourite comedy show of mine!) But it's a great name, only possible issue is all the alternative spellings as PP have said.
Nice name for both a small child and an adult.

BillyBilly · 04/03/2022 14:43

Yes. Excellent name.

Ginandplatonic · 04/03/2022 12:50

Love it! I’ve got one. I call him Ally, but mostly he just gets Alastair from everyone else.

Original poster
hulahoopqueen · 04/03/2022 12:47

Thank you for the lovely feedback! I'm glad I'm not in a minority for liking the name :)
I'm not at all opposed to Al or Ali as a nickname, I'd go for Al preferably but that's good to know.
I'd prefer the spelling of Alastair (which I think suggests our/my preferred pronunciation of Alaster rather than Alas-dare).

OP posts:
Vasectomyreversalhopeful · 04/03/2022 12:34

It is my DS’ name so I am biased but I love it. Only downside is the number of people who spell it Alistair. This includes close family members (grandparents, aunts/uncles), official groups such as Beavers even though we filled out the forms with the correct spelling and even the school nursing service! Even when I put a post on fb where I spell it correctly people will comment and spell it Alistair.

MarshMarigold22 · 04/03/2022 11:47

One of my favourite people is called Alastair, but usually goes by Al. DS1 still thinks he's called Owl.

It's a great name, I really like it.

evilharpy · 04/03/2022 11:46

I associate names with people I know that are called that name. I've known a few Alastairs and have never ever met one who wasn't lovely. Consequently I love the name.

Also never met one that wasn't called Ali or Al, if that's a consideration.

Much prefer Alastair to Alasdair.

OrangeAndYellowAndBlue · 04/03/2022 11:40

I really like it. Yes, there are several different spellings, but it's no worse than Catherine or Isabelle that way. All the spellings are traditional, if you see what I mean.

oneredeemingfeature · 04/03/2022 10:26

We chose it for our ds. Love it and he's the only one of his age group we know. He couldn't be anything else!

NoddingTulip · 04/03/2022 10:25

Love it. The ones I've known have all been really nice too. Also love the shortening of Ally.

Teaandcrumpets95 · 04/03/2022 10:20

Personally I prefer the spelling Alistair.

But it's a gorgeous name!

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