Liston is an uncommon yet distinctive given name of American origin, derived from the surname Liston which has Scottish and Irish roots. It is believed to have originated as a habitational name for someone who lived by a linden tree, as 'Liston' comes from the Middle English word 'lystene', meaning 'linden'. The name was first recorded in the late 13th century during the reign of Edward I. In recent times, Liston has been used as an independent given name with a unique and memorable sound.
The name Liston has experienced fluctuations in popularity over the years, with a total of 924 babies born with this name from 1888 to 2023. The peak years for Liston births were during World War I and immediately after, with 27 births in 1923 being the highest number recorded in any single year. However, since the 1970s, the popularity of the name has declined significantly, with fewer than 10 births per year occurring from 1974 onwards. In recent years, the name Liston has been quite uncommon, with only a handful of babies given this name each year.