Skip to main content
Skip to main navigation
Skip to talk navigation

Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Flip

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

1 2

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Baby names

Alistair or Alexander

31 replies

Nosleepforthismum · 18/10/2022 05:42

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?

OP posts:

Thanks

Share

Report

Mouthfulofquiz · 18/10/2022 05:46

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

Thanks

Flashinggreen · 18/10/2022 05:48

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.

Thanks

elf81 · 18/10/2022 05:50

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

Thanks

ImperioMarch · 18/10/2022 06:24

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.

Thanks

ponderingpaula · 18/10/2022 06:29

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

Thanks

AnnapurnaSanctuary · 18/10/2022 06:31

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

Thanks

Autumnleavesandhotchocolate · 18/10/2022 06:40

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.

Thanks

Philosophia8 · 18/10/2022 06:42

Alistair

Thanks

LightHousePanda · 18/10/2022 08:37

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.

Thanks

emmathedilemma · 18/10/2022 09:01

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

Thanks

DeeDeeDaisy · 18/10/2022 09:42

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

Thanks

StrychnineInTheSandwiches · 18/10/2022 10:35

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.

Thanks

Spanielsarepainless · 18/10/2022 10:57

I prefer Alistair.

Thanks

BlueChampagne · 18/10/2022 11:28

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

Thanks

Lilacsunflowers · 18/10/2022 12:55

Alister definitely

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

Thanks

Flashinggreen · 18/10/2022 13:38

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

Thanks

babyjellyfish · 18/10/2022 14:26

I prefer Alexander but they are both lovely names.

Thanks

Luredbyapomegranate · 18/10/2022 18:26

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

Thanks

DramaAlpaca · 19/10/2022 00:48

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

Thanks

scottishnames · 19/10/2022 17:48

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.

Thanks

S25 · 19/10/2022 18:18

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

Thanks

Yika · 19/10/2022 20:29

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.

Thanks

pitterypattery00 · 19/10/2022 21:16

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.

Thanks

Ellmau · 20/10/2022 00:25

I prefer Alexander.

Thanks

Torvean · 20/10/2022 00:37

Alistair but I'm Scottish

Thanks

Flip

1 2

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.