What does Alasdair mean?
Alasdair is the Scottish Gaelic form of Alexander, “defender of the people.”
What does Ewan mean?
Ewan is the Scottish form of Eugene/Owen, “born of the yew” or “youth.”
Alasdair vs Ewan
Which is more popular?
Ewan is more popular than Alasdair today: about 120 US babies were given the name Ewan in 2025, compared with 28 named Alasdair.
| Alasdair | Ewan | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Defender of the people | Born of the yew |
| Origin | Scottish | Scottish |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | AL-us-ter | YOO-un |
| Syllables | 3 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1989 | 1972 |
| Peak year | 2021 (37) | 2013 (168) |
| In 2025 | 28 | 120 |
| Trend | Rising | Steady |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Alasdair
Ewan
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Alasdair | Ewan |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 167 | 747 |
| 2010s | 225 | 1,361 |
| 2000s | 85 | 993 |
| 1990s | 43 | 93 |
| 1980s | 5 | 29 |
| 1970s | 0 | 13 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Alasdair or Ewan more popular?
Ewan is more popular than Alasdair today: about 120 US babies were given the name Ewan in 2025, compared with 28 named Alasdair.
What is the difference between Alasdair and Ewan?
Alasdair means Defender of the people (Scottish origin), while Ewan means Born of the yew (Scottish origin).
Which name is older, Alasdair or Ewan?
In US records, Alasdair first appears in 1989 and Ewan in 1972, so Ewan has the longer recorded history.