Alasdair? Alastair?

[FartnissEverbeans]

Hi everyone, I’m currently pregnant with a boy.

I thought we had finally decided on a name but I suggested the above to DH and he loves it, especially with the nickname Ally/Ali.

For context, we’re Scottish but don’t live in Scotland.

My concerns are that it’s a bit boring (I’ve known quite a few) - I like more unusual names and this might not ‘go’ very well with his sibling’s name - and that it’s a bit middle-aged?

The other option is to use the more unusual (but not unheard of) name in the first place position with Alasdair/Alastair as the middle name, then use Ali/Ally as a nickname. This might work because there aren’t really any good nicknames for the more unusual name we liked, but I worry it’s just over complicating things.

Thanks!

I love it was on my boys list

I like it. It might be a bit dated, but it still sounds interesting to me. A name that matches his brother’s isn’t something I’d worry too much about.

If you want to use Ally day to day then I wouldn’t use another name as a first name. That’s just over complicating it and I don’t really see what problem it solves. He still has the less unusual name day to day.

I have an Alastair - in his 20s. He calls himself Ali, as do all his friends, though his dad and I stick to his full name.
It's a little annoying that his name is frequently misspelled - often by people who should know better - using one of the other variations: Alistair/Alister/Alasdair etc, but he doesn't seem to mind.

It’s a lovely name and you have a nickname you like; I’d go with it. The only other name I can think of for Ally/Ali is Alexander. Unless the sibling has a really out there name you’re OK.

I absolutely love Alastair (I'm English so would spell it that way) but couldn't use it for family reasons.

Alastair is better even for a Scottish name Alasdair is a bit naff these days

My 3 yr old grandson is Alasdair -- I love the name.

I love the name it was our second choice for our son
To be honest I would go with the T spelling rather than the D spelling or you’ll spend the rest of his life correcting people
Also Scottish but live in England and as much as I love the Scottish version I think the key is simplicity

I know ones of all ages (I'm in Scotland but some of them are English) and I think it works really well. Definitely not dated although there's always confusion between the various spellings! My default spelling is Alistair.

Gorgeous name.

It's lovely.

I wouldn't use the D spelling though. You'd need to correct other people forever

I once worked somewhere where there was an Alistair, an Alasdair and I think an Alisdair.

I like it.

I thought it was spelled Alistair?

I'd go with Alistair, I'd also let the nickname evolve naturally, he might stick with Alistair and only be Ally informally to friends.

@Blubells

I like it.

I thought it was spelled Alistair?

There is about 3 spellings all equally acceptable. With very slight pronunciation differences depending on what the parents want.

There is about 3 spellings all equally acceptable.

That could mean a lifetime of explaining the correct spelling...

I love the name with the spelling of Alistair.

People will always ask how you spell it.

I'm sure the variation in spelling is on of those things that dates back to when the general population was illiterate and the registrar would spell it whatever way he thought.

Alistair.

Lovely name. I know an Alastair (adult) and an Alasdair (schoolboy). Both in England with Scottish roots. I like it best spelt Alastair personally.

Love Alistair. Simple spelling so minimum explanations required. I know two and are also known as Al.

I do family tree research in a low-level way. There are at least 5 accepted spellings of a girl's name that was really popular for a couple of centuries. And alternative spellings for each of the four main diminutives. Hasn't stopped anyone using it as far as I can tell (not Mary, Ann, Jane, Eliza or Susannah - saint with a wheel).

I would spell Alastair with a t, and would assume someone using a d instead had recent Scottish heritage.

Such a great name, I personally like the spelling Alasdair, but I think it's one you always have to check when you meet a new one! Like Katherine or Isobel. I think people know there are multiple spellings.

Thanks everyone!

With regards to spellings - he’ll be living in an Arabic country so he’ll have to spell his name out every time anyway! There’s no avoiding that I think. Alasdair is the original Gaelic spelling but it’s also kind of ‘posh’, IMO - which is ridiculous really when I say it but my family are very un-posh!

Is it an issue that he would be Ali G?!

Alasdair has a slightly softer sound. It really comes down to personal preference.