Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Alison
GirlFrench, English· “noble; diminutive of Alice”
- Meaning
- noble; diminutive of Alice
- Origin
- French, English
- Pronunciation
- A-lih-suhn
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #476
- US babies 2025
- 644
- Best rank
- #96 (1986)
- Peak year
- 1980
Meaning and origin of Alison
Alison is a French and English name that means “noble; diminutive of Alice”.
Alison began in medieval France as a diminutive of Alice, which comes from the Germanic Adalheidis, built on adal, noble. It was common in England and Scotland in the Middle Ages, and Geoffrey Chaucer gave the name to two memorable women in The Canterbury Tales, including the Wife of Bath. Alison stayed especially popular in Scotland and returned strongly in the twentieth century. It feels friendly, classic and unpretentious, with nicknames such as Ali and Allie. Allison is a common alternative spelling.
Other spellings with the same sound: Allyson.
Popularity over time
Alison first appears in US Social Security records in 1905. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 86 different years, starting in 1934. Its best national rank was #96 in 1986, and the most babies received it in 1980, when 2,980 were named Alison. In 2025, 644 babies were named Alison, and it ranked #476 nationally. That is 33% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #3,099 in 1920, #428 in 1950, #101 in 1980, #231 in 2000, #269 in 2010, and #476 in 2025. Of the 116,886 US girls named Alison since records began, 23% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 1970s come next, with 22,070 babies. Since 2010, 14,173 more have been named Alison.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Monique, Katrina, Tasha, Mindy, and Meredith.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Alison ranked highest in Maine, Nebraska, and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Maine | #177 | 6 |
| Nebraska | #268 | 8 |
| California | #304 | 107 |
| Arizona | #359 | 19 |
| Alabama | #373 | 13 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Alison is usually pronounced A-lih-suhn, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with A and ends in “-on”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Allyson.
Middle names for Alison
A few middle names that flow with Alison: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Alison
Similar names
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Lists that include Alison
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Alison mean?
Alison is a French and English name that means “noble; diminutive of Alice”.
What is the origin of the name Alison?
Alison has French, English, and Germanic roots. Alison began in medieval France as a diminutive of Alice, which comes from the Germanic Adalheidis, built on adal, noble.
Is Alison a popular name?
Yes. Alison ranked #476 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Alison a boy or girl name?
Alison is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Alison?
Alison is usually pronounced A-lih-suhn. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings