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