Given name
Alaster
“helper and defender of mankind”
Alaster is a variant of Alastair. In Scottish use, Alastair carries the interpretation “helper and defender of mankind.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
Alaster is a variant of Alastair. In Scottish use, Alastair carries the interpretation “helper and defender of mankind.”
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
Alaster is a form of Alistair. Alistair comes from Scottish Gaelic, and ultimately from Ancient Greek.
Adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1998. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Alaster through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 138
- 138 boys · 0 girls
- Most popular year
- 2024
- 16 babies
- 2025
- 13
- #6,464 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +70%
- Rising fast
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 13 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 6,464 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 69.7% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Alaster’s family of names
In English usage, Alaster has a related form in Alistair. Alaster has a related form in Alastair. Alaster has a related form in Alasdair.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 3
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Similar names
If you love Alaster, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Alastor
“helper and defender of mankind”
>99% boys
Allistair
“helper and defender of mankind”
>99% boys
Gallagher
“an eager helper”
>99% boys
Lawler
“a soft-spoken man; one who mutters”
>99% boys
Rafferty
“a prosperous lady; wealthy” · “one who wields prosperity”
>99% boys
Faolan
“resembling a little wolf”
>99% boys
Odhran
“refers to a pale-green color”
>99% boys
Mackinnon
“the son of the fair one”
>99% boys