Alison

girlGermanic

Alison is a girl name of Germanic, via Old French origin, meaning “Noble; little Alice”.

MeaningNoble; little Alice
GenderGirl
OriginGermanic, via Old French
PronunciationAL-ih-sun
TraditionModern & Classic
Used inUnited Kingdom, United States, Canada

Meaning and origin of Alison

Alison began in medieval France and England as a pet form of Alice, which comes from the Germanic Adalheidis, from adal, 'noble', and heid, 'kind' or 'type'. It was common in the Middle Ages, appearing as the lively wife in Chaucer's Miller's Tale, and survived particularly in Scotland before becoming widely popular again in the twentieth century.

Is Alison a religious name?

Alison has no religious origin; it is a secular name of Germanic roots.

How popular is Alison?

Popular in the mid to late twentieth century; still used, especially as Allison in the United States.

Gifts with the name Alison

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Spellings and variants of Alison

AllisonAlysonAliceAli

Names similar to Alison

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Frequently asked questions

What does the name Alison mean?

Alison means 'Noble; little Alice'. It is of Germanic, via Old French origin.

Does Alison have a religious meaning?

Alison has no religious origin; it is a secular name of Germanic roots.

How do you pronounce Alison?

Alison is pronounced AL-ih-sun.

Is Alison a boy or girl name?

Alison is usually a girl name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.