I am kind of really liking this name right now but keep reading conflicting things about how to spell/pronounce it.
[name_f]Do[/name_f] you like the spelling [name_m]Alistair[/name_m] or [name_m]Alisdair[/name_m]? And do you pronounce it [name_u]Ali[/name_u]-stir (as in stirring hot chocolate) or ali-stare (like a stair case)?
Last but not least, what do you think of the name in general? Does it go with my son’s name [name_m]Leo[/name_m]?
I pronounce it like ali-stair, like the stair case. That’s how I’ve heard others say it as well, I have never heard the other way. I don’t care for [name_m]Alisdair[/name_m], it’s such a unique name that I think you would want to stick with the normal spelling.
I like this name ok. I don’t love it, it’s just not quite my style. I don’t see anything wrong with using it and can see it growing on a boy. My only concern would be the nickname [name_u]Ali[/name_u] coming out, which I don’t like.
I don’t think it really goes with [name_m]Leo[/name_m], it’s just so much longer. But that’s not a reason to toss it out if you like it. Is [name_m]Leo[/name_m] short for anything?
I much prefer [name_m]Alistair[/name_m] to [name_m]Alisdair[/name_m]. As far as pronunciation goes I pronounce it sorta like a cross between the two prunciations, It doesn’t exactly end in stir when I say it neither does it end in stair, but somewhere in the middle if that makes since. I really like [name_m]Alistair[/name_m] and think t goes great with [name_m]Leo[/name_m]!
[name_m]Alasdair[/name_m] is the most “authentic” Scottish spelling so it’s my favourite. Second would be [name_m]Alastair[/name_m]. I’m not crazy about [name_m]Alistair[/name_m]/[name_m]Alisdair[/name_m] as there Anglicized versions. I would say that [name_m]Alasdair[/name_m] would be a wonderful sibling name for [name_m]Leo[/name_m]'s brother if you didn’t already use [name_m]Alexander[/name_m] for [name_m]Leo[/name_m]'s mn. [name_m]Alasdair[/name_m] is the Scottish version of [name_m]Alexander[/name_m]. I pronounce it like “stare” or “stair”. What happened to [name_m]Augustus[/name_m] or [name_m]Augustine[/name_m]? Are those names still under consideration or are they off the table?
Thanks everyone! [name_u]Ali[/name_u]-stare (stair case) is the pronunciation that was most intuitive for me as well.
@[name_u]Mischa[/name_u]- Yes! [name_m]Augustin[/name_m] and [name_m]Augustus[/name_m] are still the front runners if our next one is a boy. We just have such a tiny list of boys names that we agree on that I like expanding it if I can 
[name_m]Alistair[/name_m] is not pronounced [name_u]Ali[/name_u]-stare, I am Scottish and know many people with this name. It is pronounce like this How to Pronounce Alistair - PronounceNames.com - YouTube but instead of duh at the end it is more of a ter/der sound depending of the spelling. I don’t think it has the same feel as [name_m]Leo[/name_m] though. I prefer the spelling [name_m]Alasdair[/name_m]. I also agree with [name_u]Mischa[/name_u] about not using it because [name_m]Alexander[/name_m] is [name_m]Leo[/name_m]'s middle name and [name_m]Alasdair[/name_m] is Gaelic for [name_m]Alexander[/name_m].
I agree with this poster regarding the pronunciation. My son’s name is [name_m]Alastair[/name_m] and my husband is from [name_f]Scotland[/name_f] and he/we have a handful of family members and friends with the name as well. I have never heard it pronounced any other way that the ter/der ending. I cannot stand the stair pronunciation, thank goodness we haven’t really experienced anyone calling him that and we’re in the states. Everyone in [name_f]Scotland[/name_f] we know says it ‘our’ way as well.
I prefer [name_m]Alastair[/name_m] or [name_m]Alasdair[/name_m], not a huge fan of [name_m]Alistair[/name_m].
I don’t really have time to read all other responses so I apologize for a repeat.
I like [name_m]Alistair[/name_m].
My first thought when I see it written is always [name_m]Alistair[/name_m] Crowley.
However, in reality, I went to school with an [name_m]Alistair[/name_m] and I never once
made that association in person or when referring to him.
I personally dislike the nn [name_m]Al[/name_m] (probably because I’m an [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f]) - but sadly at this moment can’t think of a good alternative nn. (If it comes to me later today I’ll try to log on - stupid busy, busy day ahead.)
This is a really common name where I live, definitely a top 20 but might be top 10. I’m surprised to hear it’s considered unusual! I know loads of Alistairs. All the spellings listed are pronounced the same- [name_m]Al[/name_m]-i-stir. The spelling with the ‘d’ is the authentic Scottish spelling and so I’d choose this, but there would never be any confusion regarding pronunciation here so that wouldn’t be an issued. If people are likely to incorrectly pronounce it as ‘Dare’ then it might be best to go for a ‘t’ in the middle