Alison

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Alison

Gender: Feminine
Language: English
Etymology:
Alison is a Norman French form of a Germanic name, Adalheidis, meaning “Noble and Kind” from “athel” (noble) and “haidu” (kind).

History:
The Germanic name Adalheidis (meaning “noble) was contracted to the French Adelaide. Adelaide was transformed to Adelais, to Adeliz, to Aliz, to Alice, and finally to the Norman French Alison, or Allison.

llison was popular in Medieval England and France, but it died out in the 15th century. It did not die out, however, in Scotland and the North of England, from where it was revived in the 20th century.

It’s use as a male name comes from the surname Alison, from the original female name.
For more information, please see Adelaide, or Alice.

Pronunciation: all-eh-son.

Diminutives:
English: Allee, Alli, Allie, Ally.

Alternates: Alisan, Alisanne, Allison, Allisyn, Allyson, Alyson.

Famous Bearers:
Artists and Authors:
Alison Hargreaves (f., 1884-1976)
English writer.
Alison Lurie (f., 1926-)
American writer.
Alison Margaret Smithson (f., 1928-1993)
British architect.

Educators, Scholars, and Social Workers:
Allie Beth Dent Martin (f., 1914-1976)
American librarian.

Miscellaneous:
Alison Hargreaves (f., 1962-1995)
British mountaineer who died on Mount Everest.

Popularity:
Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census:
0.092 % named Allison
0.050 % named Alison
0.013 % named Allyson
0.009 % named Alyson

Popularity of Alison:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-1940: N/A
1940-1950: 689th most popular.
1950-1960: 347th most popular.
1960-1970: 259th most popular.
1970-1980: 134th most popular.
1980-1990: 107th most popular.
1990: 137th most popular.
1991: 145th most popular.
1992: 150th most popular.
1993: 146th most popular.
1994: 154th most popular.
1995: 163rd most popular.
1996: 167th most popular.
1997: 170th most popular.
1998: 178th most popular.
1999: 202nd most popular.
2000: 231st most popular.
2001: 231st most popular.
2002: 232nd most popular.
2003: 231st most popular.

In France...
1900-1980: N/A
1985: 170th most popular.
1990: 105th most popular.
2000: 86th most popular.

In Ireland...
1998: 45th most popular.
1999: 59th most popular.
2000: 62nd most popular.
2001: 62nd most popular.