Macallister is a unique and distinctive given name of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Scottish surname "MacAllaster," which itself comes from the Gaelic name "Maoil Chaluim" or "Mál Choinnich." This name means "devotee of St. Columba" or "devotee of St. Kenneth."
The given name Macallister has a rich history, with its roots dating back to medieval Scotland. St. Columba, also known as Columbia or Columbus, was an Irish abbot and missionary who founded the monastery on Iona in the 6th century. He is regarded as one of the most influential figures in Scottish history, and many places in Scotland are named after him.
The name Macallister has been associated with several notable historical figures throughout history. One such figure is Alexander MacAllaster, a 14th-century Scottish knight who fought alongside Robert the Bruce at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.
Today, Macallister remains an uncommon yet captivating given name, often chosen by parents looking for something distinctive and meaningful for their child. It carries with it a sense of history and cultural significance, as well as a strong connection to Scotland's rich past.
The name Macallister has seen varied popularity over the past few decades in the United States. Between 1996 and 2023, there were a total of 265 babies named Macallister across the country.
The years with the highest number of newborns named Macallister were 2002 and 2003, with 14 births each. This suggests that these two years marked peak popularity for the name during this period.
However, it's clear that the name's popularity has been somewhat inconsistent over time. For instance, there was a significant drop from 17 births in 2008 to just 7 births in 2009. Similarly, after reaching 14 births again in 2019, the number of newborns named Macallister fell to 5 in 2020.
Despite these fluctuations, it's worth noting that there have been several years with double-digit numbers of babies named Macallister, indicating that while it may not be one of the most common names, it has still had periods of notable popularity.