Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Allison
GirlEnglish, French· “noble; form of Alice”
- Meaning
- noble; form of Alice
- Origin
- English, French
- Pronunciation
- AL-ih-suhn
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #103
- US babies 2025
- 2,564
- Best rank
- #30 (2009)
- Peak year
- 1994
Meaning and origin of Allison
Allison is an English and French name that means “noble; form of Alice”.
Allison began as a medieval diminutive of Alice, which comes from the Germanic Adalheidis, meaning noble type. Alison was common in medieval England and France, and it later became a Scottish and English surname before returning as a first name. Chaucer included a lively Alison in The Miller's Tale. In the United States the double-l spelling became the most familiar in the twentieth century. Today it reads as friendly, grown-up and classic. Ali and Allie are easy nicknames, and Alison with one l remains common in Britain.
Popularity over time
Allison first appears in US Social Security records in 1908. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 80 different years, starting in 1946. Its best national rank was #30 in 2009, and the most babies received it in 1994, when 8,150 were named Allison. In 2025, 2,564 babies were named Allison, and it ranked #103 nationally. That is 52% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,754 in 1920, #681 in 1950, #59 in 1980, #44 in 2000, #38 in 2010, and #103 in 2025. Of the 319,119 US girls named Allison since records began, 23% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 62,327 babies. Since 2010, 65,863 more have been named Allison.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Marissa, Miranda, Katelyn, Alexandra, and Morgan.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Allison ranked highest in Texas, Nevada, and Florida.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | #50 | 435 |
| Nevada | #53 | 33 |
| Florida | #72 | 213 |
| California | #75 | 367 |
| Maryland | #75 | 52 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Allison is usually pronounced AL-ih-suhn, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with A and ends in “-on”.
Middle names for Allison
A few middle names that flow with Allison: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Allison
Similar names
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Lists that include Allison
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Allison mean?
Allison is an English and French name that means “noble; form of Alice”.
What is the origin of the name Allison?
Allison has English, French, and Germanic roots. Allison began as a medieval diminutive of Alice, which comes from the Germanic Adalheidis, meaning noble type.
Is Allison a popular name?
Yes. Allison ranked #103 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Allison a boy or girl name?
Allison is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Allison?
Allison is usually pronounced AL-ih-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