Opinions on spelling of Alasdair/Alastair/Alistair

[MimiDaisy11]

We've pretty much decided on this name if we have a boy. The only downside is the variety of spellings. My usual view with names is that you should go with the most popular spelling. The most popular spelling in Scotland is Alasdair at the moment for babies, however, with this name, it's not popular at the moment (23 babies in 2019 in Scotland) and so between the most popular spelling and the next one down there's only a difference of 3-5 babies.

We're leaning more towards Alasdair at the moment. I do like that it's the original Gaelic spelling but I think within the UK and internationally other spellings might be more recognised.

Any opinions?

I like the Alastair spelling best.

Alastair. Great name, but outside Scotland the d spelling is obscure. Alistair is the most widely used.

I prefer Alasdair, for no good reason really.

Alasdair. But so you really want to use a name that your child is going to have to spend his whole life spelling out for everyone? I discounted a name I loved for this very reason- didn't seem fair!

Lots of people have to spell out their surnames which he wouldn't have to do, and as I used to have to do. It's really not that much of a burden - lots of things are done online now compared to over the phone.

Thanks for the replies.

Alistair, but I'm not Scottish.

I'm Scottish and every one I've heard of is Alastair. Didn't realise you got different spellings until recently.

I think they are all ok as alternative spellings in their own right rather than made up spellings. My preference would be Alastair

I have a lovely 10 year old Alistair:)

He is Alistair which is the anglicised spelling, as we live in the southeast. I think the welsh spelling is Alastair or that might be Scottish? I think Scotland have Alasdhair too.

He mainly gets called Ali by friends and family although as he gets older I am calling him Al more. I love his name and everyone has always been really positive about it. Plus he's the only one in his school.

Love that name, however you spell it. My favourite is Alasdair. Agree with you that having to spell it out is no big deal. There are lots of popular names that need spelling out, just due to various possibilities.