Alice

Alice Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity

AL-iss

Meaning of Alice: Alice is the Old French form of Adalheidis, a Germanic compound built from adal (noble) and heid (kind, type). The form Alice emerged in medieval France and England as the name passed through Norman influence, shedding its Germanic syllables into a cleaner two-syllable form.

US Rank 2024

No. 62

Births

3,520

Peak Year

1880

The name appears in English records from the 12th century onward. Alice of Gloucester, Alice of Champagne, and Alice of Antioch are among the medieval bearers documented in royal records. Its simplicity made it broadly accessible across social classes. See etymology records.

Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" (1865) transformed the name into an international cultural touchstone. Carroll named his protagonist after Alice Liddell, daughter of his Oxford colleague. The novel's worldwide publication gave the name literary prestige that accelerated Victorian-era adoption.

What Does Alice Mean? Origin & Etymology

In the United States, Alice ranked in the top 5 from 1880 through 1910, peaking at rank 1 in 1880. SSA records places it at rank 62 in 2024 with 3,520 births, its highest position since the 1950s, following a gradual recovery. Track at SSA Baby Names.

Its trajectory follows the same Victorian-revival pattern as Eleanor, Beatrice, and Josephine — names that fell from fashion in the 1940s through the 1970s and re-entered the top 100 by the 2010s, driven by parents seeking names with classical literary or historical weight.

Related names include Alicia (Spanish and English formal form), Alison and Allison (medieval French variants), and Alix (medieval diminutive). Alice is used in Portuguese, Italian, and German with minimal phonological adaptation, giving it broader European distribution than most English-origin names.

Name day: June 15

How Popular Is Alice?

Numerology & Symbolism of Alice

Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.

A(1) + L(3) + I(9) + C(3) + E(5) = 21 = 3

Destiny number

Expression

Sum of all letters, reduced to a single digit

Soul urge

Love

Sum of vowels only - reveals inner desires

Expression

Warmth

Sum of consonants - how others perceive you

Letters 5

Vowels / consonants 3 / 2

Birthstone Citrine

Lucky color Yellow

1 Leadership Independent, driven, original — the initiator who forges new paths.

2 Harmony Diplomatic and cooperative, thriving through partnership and balance.

3 Expression Creative and communicative, bringing joy through art and words.

4 Stability Disciplined and dependable, building lasting structures through hard work.

5 Freedom Adventurous and adaptable, drawn to change, travel, and new experiences.

6 Nurturing Caring and responsible, focused on home, family, and community.

7 Wisdom Analytical and introspective, seeking truth through study and reflection.

8 Ambition Authoritative and goal-oriented, excelling in business and material achievement.

9 Compassion Humanitarian and idealistic, driven by a desire to serve and uplift others.

11 Intuition Master number: heightened sensitivity and spiritual insight beyond the ordinary.

22 Master Builder Master number: visionary practicality that turns ambitious dreams into reality.

33 Master Teacher Master number: selfless guidance and healing offered for the good of all.

Alice – Similar Names & Alternatives

Emma

From Old High German “ermen” meaning whole or universal;…

Amelia

From Old Germanic “amal” (labor, vigor), meaning…

Not seeing what you want? Browse all names by origin or popularity

Frequently Asked Questions about Alice

What does Alice mean?

Alice means noble kind, from Old French Aalis (Old High German adal = noble, heid = kind). Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland (1865) transformed it into the defining symbol of curious, courageous childhood.

What is the origin of Alice?

Alice derives from Old French Aalis, a medieval contraction of Adalheidis. It ranked in the US top 10 from 1880 to 1926. A vintage revival beginning around 2010 drove a sharp US resurgence.

How popular is Alice in the US?

Alice ranks 62 for girls in the US as of 2024, per SSA data. It entered the top 50 in 2015. Alice ranks in the top 10 in Ireland and the top 20 in the UK.

What are variants of Alice?

Variants include Alicia (Spanish/Latin elaboration), Alys (Welsh), Alyssa (Latinate), Alise (French), and Alicia. Adelaide and Adele share the same Old German adal root.

Is Alice more popular for girls or boys?

Alice is given almost exclusively to girls. It ranks 62 for girls in the US in 2024 and does not appear in the top 1000 boys’ names.

Alice – Name Variants & Spellings

Variant	Language
Alissa	English variant
Alix	French
Alise	French/Latvian
Adelheid	German origin
Alis	Old French
Alisa	Russian/Bulgarian
Alicia	Spanish/Italian/English
Alys	Welsh

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