Alistair Mclean

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Alistair Mclean — defender of men
280K People worldwide
United Kingdom Most common in
1975s Peak popularity
Gender
Advertisement

Alistair Mclean is a name that combines Greek origins. The first name Alistair is a masculine given name of Greek origin. Scottish Gaelic form of Alexander (Greek Alexandros: defender of men). Common throughout the Scottish Highlands. The surname Mclean: MacLean, also spelt McLean, is a Scottish Gaelic surname (Mac Gille Eathain, or, Mac Giolla Eóin in Irish Gaelic), Eóin being a Gaelic form of Johannes (John). The clan surname is an Anglicisation of the Scottish Gaelic "Mac Gille Eathain", a patronymic meaning "son of Gillean". Gillean means "the Servant of [Saint] John [the Baptist]"), named for Gilleathain na Tuaidh, known as "Gillian of the Battleaxe", a famous 5th century warrior. Eachan Reaganach and his brother Lachlan were descended from Gilleathain na Tuaidh, and are the progenitors of the clan. Alistair is a well-known first name, carried by approximately 280K people globally, with the highest concentration in United Kingdom. The name Alistair reached peak popularity in the 1975s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Alistair

Meaning: defender of men

Greek

Scottish Gaelic form of Alexander (Greek Alexandros: defender of men). Common throughout the Scottish Highlands.

Surname: Mclean

Celtic

MacLean, also spelt McLean, is a Scottish Gaelic surname (Mac Gille Eathain, or, Mac Giolla Eóin in Irish Gaelic), Eóin being a Gaelic form of Johannes (John). The clan surname is an Anglicisation of the Scottish Gaelic "Mac Gille Eathain", a patronymic meaning "son of Gillean". Gillean means "the Servant of [Saint] John [the Baptist]"), named for Gilleathain na Tuaidh, known as "Gillian of the Battleaxe", a famous 5th century warrior. Eachan Reaganach and his brother Lachlan were descended from Gilleathain na Tuaidh, and are the progenitors of the clan.

Advertisement

Geographic Distribution

The first name Alistair is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United Kingdom 83%
Australia 11%
Canada 6%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Alistair by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
Advertisement

Name Variants & Related Names

The name Alistair has several variants and related forms across different languages and cultures:

  • Alastair
  • Alasdair
  • Alexander
  • Alex

Notable People Named Alistair Mclean

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Alistair Mclean:

11
Expression Number

Intuition and inspiration (Master Number 11). Amplifies spiritual awareness, creative vision and sensitivity.

8
Soul Urge Number

Ambition and material success. Represents power, business acumen and the drive to achieve significant goals.

3
Personality Number

Creativity and self-expression. Associated with artistic flair, optimism and sociability — a natural communicator.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Alistair?
The first name Alistair originates from Greek. Scottish Gaelic form of Alexander (Greek Alexandros: defender of men). Common throughout the Scottish Highlands.
When was Alistair most popular?
The name Alistair reached its peak popularity during the 1975s.
What is the origin of the surname Mclean?
The surname Mclean originates from Celtic. MacLean, also spelt McLean, is a Scottish Gaelic surname (Mac Gille Eathain, or, Mac Giolla Eóin in Irish Gaelic), Eóin being a Gaelic form of Johannes (John). The clan surname is an Anglicisation of the Scottish Gaelic "Mac Gille Eathain", a patronymic meaning "son of Gillean". Gillean means "the Servant of [Saint] John [the Baptist]"), named for Gilleathain na Tuaidh, known as "Gillian of the Battleaxe", a famous 5th century warrior. Eachan Reaganach and his brother Lachlan were descended from Gilleathain na Tuaidh, and are the progenitors of the clan.
What are the origins of the name Alistair Mclean?
The name Alistair Mclean combines two different traditions: the first name Alistair has Greek roots, while the surname Mclean originates from Celtic.
Advertisement