Macallister is a distinguished male name of Scottish Gaelic origin, pronounced as mah-KAL-is-tur (/məˈkælɪstər/). The name carries a sense of heritage and strength, often associated with the historic Clan MacAlister in Scotland. A variation of the name Alexander, Macallister means "son of Alasdair," where Alasdair is the Gaelic form of Alexander, signifying "defender of the people." Commonly shortened to Mac or Callister, this name exudes a traditional yet unique charm.
In recent years, Macallister has seen modest usage in the United States. Although not widely popular, it has maintained a steady presence among newborns over the past few decades. For instance, in 2023, six babies were named Macallister, ranking at 10,779 in popularity. The highest occurrence was in 2008 when 17 newborns were given this name, reaching a rank of 5,249. Despite its relatively low frequency compared to more common names, Macallister offers a distinctive choice for parents seeking a name with deep cultural roots and historical significance.