What does Alasdair mean?
Alasdair is the Scottish Gaelic form of Alexander, “defender of the people.”
What does Hamish mean?
Hamish is the Scottish form of James, “supplanter.”
Alasdair vs Hamish
Which is more popular?
Alasdair is more popular than Hamish today: about 28 US babies were given the name Alasdair in 2025, compared with 14 named Hamish.
| Alasdair | Hamish | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Defender of the people | Supplanter |
| Origin | Scottish | Scottish |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | AL-us-ter | HAY-mish |
| Syllables | 3 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1989 | 1981 |
| Peak year | 2021 (37) | 2017 (25) |
| In 2025 | 28 | 14 |
| Trend | Rising | Rising |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Alasdair
Hamish
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Alasdair | Hamish |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 167 | 105 |
| 2010s | 225 | 145 |
| 2000s | 85 | 92 |
| 1990s | 43 | 17 |
| 1980s | 5 | 5 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Alasdair or Hamish more popular?
Alasdair is more popular than Hamish today: about 28 US babies were given the name Alasdair in 2025, compared with 14 named Hamish.
What is the difference between Alasdair and Hamish?
Alasdair means Defender of the people (Scottish origin), while Hamish means Supplanter (Scottish origin).
Which name is older, Alasdair or Hamish?
In US records, Alasdair first appears in 1989 and Hamish in 1981, so Hamish has the longer recorded history.