Alistair or Alexander

[Nosleepforthismum]

Stuck on boy names for baby no 2. Really like both but Alexander is relatively common round here and I know a couple of idiots with that name that is putting me off slightly. Worrying though that Alistair is a bit … posh I guess? Nothing wrong with that but it depends what he wants to do as a job, he might fit in better as a plumber, for example, as an Alex rather than an Alistair but I’m maybe overthinking it. Pros for Alistair - I like that it’s classic but underused and it goes beautifully with our last name. Any thoughts on either name please?

I know a little Alastair, not posh, uses the nickname Ali or Al so it does fit the bill for versatility.

I have a 14 YO Alistair and love it. Realised how much it sounds like Alice recently which is also a name I love. We call him Al for short.

I also have an Alistair. Generally goes by Ali. He’s 9 now and is wanting to be a electrician when he grows up.

Alasdair (the proper Gaelic spelling).

It was my first choice for DS but DH vetoed. Alexander is a top 10 name where I am so very popular, Alasdair, much less so.

I love Alastair but you will constantly be correcting whichever spelling you choose (Alistair/ Alastair / etc)

I love both these names, and especially Alistair! I know two, and one isn't posh at all.

I know an Alistair. Goes by Al. Is not at all posh. I love it because it is unusual but classic and is always the only one in the group.

Alistair

I think both are good choices but then I considered both and chose one. My first choice was actually Alexander but my partner didn't want to use it so we did go with Alistair - but not that spelling. That's the downside to that name as there are different spellings. It doesn't have to be a big deal but at least with Alexander there really is just one spelling.

I don't see Alistair as posh but then I'm Scottish so maybe it's more common here. I think though even if it is seen as posh where you are it's surely just mildly posh and not in league with names like Gideon.

I love Alistair and don't see as posh at all (but I'm also in Scotland where it's more common).

No one would care what he was called if he wanted to be a plumber, you are overthinking! Alistair can be shortened to Al or Ali.
Both great names, I do prefer Alexander though

I know about four Scottish Alistairs, all middle class-ish, none posh. The only annoying thing about that name is that there are so many spelling variations. It will be misspelt a lot.

I prefer Alex/ander though.

I prefer Alistair.

I like both, and I believe that Alasdair is the Gaelic for Alexander.

Alister definitely

Alex(ander) is soo overused for both boys and girls.

Yes I didn’t realise how many spelling variations there are. He learnt to spell it from a young age…

I prefer Alexander but they are both lovely names.

I’d go for Alistair - great name. Never thought of it as posh.

I love Alistair and all its variant spellings. I much prefer it to Alexander.

I'm sure you know this, but just in case not: they are the same name.

As others have already said, Alasdair is the correct Gaelic spelling. And Alasdair is the Gaelic version of Alexander.

Both are lovely and very classic.

I prefer Alexander for the options of nn for your ds as he grows:

Alex
Lex
Xan
Xandy
Xander

Love Alistair, and I don’t find it posh. I like it spelt this way.

Alexander is nice but a bit run-of-the-mill.

Love both. Prefer Alasdair spelling to Alastair, but if you're in England then people will be more familiar with Alastair I guess.

Has no 'class' associations at all for me - a lovely, well known boys name in Scotland.

I prefer Alexander.

Alistair but I'm Scottish