Alison (given name)
| Pronunciation | /ˈælɪsən/ AL-i-sən |
|---|---|
| Gender | Unisex (primarily female); Male (in lusophone countries) |
| Origin | |
| Meaning | "son of Allen"; "son of Ellis"; "son of Alexander"; "son of Alice"; "Alice"; "little Alice" |
| Other names | |
| Variant form(s) | Alisoun, Alisson, Allison, Allisson, Allyson, Allysson, Alyson, Alysson, Alicen, Alycen |
Alison is a unisex given name, primarily a feminine name in English-speaking countries. It was originally a medieval French nickname for Alis / Alys, an old form of Alice derived with the suffix -on or -son sometimes used in the former French nicknames. The Middle English form was Alisoun.
The variant spelling Allison is the most common form in the United States. Other variations include Allisan, Alisson, Allisson, Allyson, Allysson, Alyson, Alysson, Alicen and Alycen, with nicknames Allie, Alley, Alie, Ali, Ally, Aly, Al, Aley and Alli.
Allison also has separate, disputed roots as a family name.
Alison, variant form Alizon, is also a French surname.