What is meaning of alistair?

Alistair is a Scottish name of Gaelic origin, which means "defender" or "protector". It is derived from the words "Alasdair" or "Alastair". Alistair is a popular name in Scotland, and it has been used widely across the English-speaking world. It gained popularity in the 19th century due to the fame of Sir Walter Scott's novel "Rob Roy" which featured a character named Alastair MacGregor. The name Alistair is associated with qualities such as strength, bravery, and honor. It is commonly abbreviated as "Al" or "Ali". Famous people with the name Alistair include Alistair MacLean, a Scottish novelist, and Alistair Brownlee, a British triathlete.