Alice (name)

Alice is most often used as a feminine given name, used primarily in English and French; however, it has proven popular in some other languages. It is also used as a surname.

Alice
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, illustrated by John Tenniel, is an inspiration for the popularity of the name Alice.
GenderFemale
Language(s)Old French
Origin
MeaningOf nobility
Other names
See alsoAlaïs, Adalheidis, Adalheide, Adelheide, Alicia, Alisha, Alisa, Alissa, Alyce, Alitha, Alita, Zélie

Etymology

Alice is a form of the Old French name Alis (older Alais), short form of Adelais, which is derived from the Old High German Adalhaidis (see Adelaide), from the Proto-Germanic words *aþala-, meaning "noble" and *haidu-, meaning "appearance; kind" (compare German Adel "nobility", edel "noble", nominalizing suffix -heit "-hood"), hence "of noble character or rank, of nobility".[1] Alaïs is the Old French form of the name; Alys of Vexin was also known as Alaïs.[2]

Popularity as a given name

In 2015 the name appeared in the top 100 most popular names for baby girls in Australia, Belgium, France, Canada, Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales, and Northern Ireland. In England and Wales it was ranked the 24th most popular name in 2015,[3] but it has been less popular in the US until a recent resurgence. Some sources cite the resurgence starting in 2000, others showing an up swing starting in 2010[4] One source attributes this to Tina Fey having named her daughter Alice in 2005,[1] though this is more likely a case of coincidence than causality. In Sweden and Italy it has appeared in the top ten names in recent years.[5]

The name was most popular in the US in the Victorian era and at the turn of the 20th century. It has been popularized by Alice in Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll.[1][5][2] It was also popular in the Victorian era due to The Princess Alice, a daughter of Queen Victoria.[1] In the US, Alice Roosevelt Longworth, daughter of Theodore Roosevelt,[1] was occasionally known as "Princess Alice" in the press and inspired a song called Alice Blue Gown.[6]

Variants

Variants of the given name today include Alicia, Alison, and a short form, Allie, with many spelling variants.[7] Alisa is a form of the name in popular use in Russia, Estonia and other countries.[8] [9] Aliki is the form used in Greek.

People with the first name Alice

Royalty

Authors and poets

Musicians

Actresses and filmmakers

Science and medicine

Activists

Athletes

Miscellaneous

People with the surname Alice
  • Antonio Alice (1886–1943), Argentine portrait painter
  • Beatrice Kamuchanga Alice (born 1997), a long-distance runner from the Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Georgia Mannion (born 2003), professionally known as George Alice, Australian singer/songwriter
  • Jessica Alice, director of Writers SA, South Australia
  • Maria Alice de Fátima Rocha Silva (born 1971), known as Maria Alice, Cape Verdean singer.

Fictional characters
As single name
As given name

Notes
  1. "Alice: Name Meaning, Popularity, and Similar Names". Nameberry. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  2. Campbell, Mike (29 May 2020). "Meaning, origin and history of the name Alice". Behind the Name. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  3. "Home - Baby Names".
  4. Campbell, Mike. "Popularity for the name Alice". Behind the Name. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  5. "Alice". Oh Baby! Names. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  6. "Entry for "Alice"". Oxford English Dictionary. Oxford University Press.
  7. "Meaning, origin and history of the name Alice".
  8. "Meaning, origin and history of the name Alisa".
  9. https://www.stat.ee/nimed/TOP_AASTAD
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