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Alison

Girl name · 5,666 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Alison: 5,666 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 453 births in 1974.

Alison is a Norman French diminutive of Alice, tracing back to the Germanic name Adalheidis, meaning "noble kind" or "noble type." It arrived in Scotland via the Normans and has remained a gentle, enduring classic. Famous bearers include American bluegrass singer Alison Krauss, whose ethereal voice introduced the name to a new generation, and English singer-songwriter Alison Moyet. The variant Allison is equally popular, its extra ‘l’ and ‘n’ lending a slightly more modern edge. In Scotland, Alison has enjoyed steady use since the 1970s, beloved for its soft, feminine sound and deep historical roots—the name Alice itself shares its origins with the Australian outback town of Alice Springs.