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