Allison
Allison first appears in US records in 1908. It peaked in 1994, when 8,150 girls were given the name; in 2025 there were 2,564.
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Is Allison popular?
Declining Allison is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 1994 peak.
| 2020s | 16,860 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 49,003 | |
| 2000s | 59,966 | |
| 1990s | 74,433 | |
| 1980s | 62,327 | |
| 1970s | 34,158 | |
| 1960s | 16,525 | |
| 1950s | 4,553 | |
| 1940s | 680 | |
| 1930s | 236 | |
| 1920s | 227 | |
| 1910s | 145 | |
| 1900s | 6 |
Counts from US Social Security Administration data, 1880–2025.
What does Allison mean?
Allison began as a medieval diminutive of Alice, from Germanic elements meaning “noble.” Long used as a surname, it became a popular girls’ name in North America.
Nicknames for Allison
- Ally
- Allie
- Al
Variants & spellings
- Alison
- Alyson
- Allyson
Explore related names
Frequently asked questions
Is Allison a boy or a girl name?
Allison is most commonly used as a girl name.
Is Allison a popular name right now?
Allison is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 1994 peak.
How popular is the name Allison?
In 2025, Allison ranked #103 among girls’ names in the United States, according to U.S. Social Security Administration data.
When was the name Allison most popular?
Allison was most popular in 1994, when about 8,150 US babies were given the name that year, according to US Social Security Administration records.
What are common nicknames for Allison?
Common nicknames for Allison include Ally, Allie, Al.