Alice Name Meaning: Origin, Popularity & Nicknames

What Does Alice Mean?

Alice’s name means “noble” or “of nobility” in Proto-Germanic languages. It has its roots in the German name Adalheidis, which was made up of “haidu” (“kindly appearance”) and “aþala” (noble).

What Is the Origin of the Name Alice?

The name “Alice” traces its history back to the Old French name “Aalis,” which is a shortened version of “Adelais,” or the German name, “Adalheidis.” Alice was a popular name in Europe from the 12th to 16th centuries ⁽¹⁾.

It had a resurgence in the 19th Century, perhaps in part due to a trend set by Queen Victoria and the novel “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” by Lewis Carroll ⁽²⁾.

How Popular Is the Name Alice?

Alice is a historically popular name. It has been steadily growing in popularity over the last several decades after taking a dip at the end of the 20th century. Previously, Alice had been widespread in the Victorian Period and the early 20th Century.

In the United States, Alice was the 64th most popular name for baby girls born in 2021 ⁽³⁾.

How Do I Pronounce Alice?

Alice consists of two syllables: The first being “al” and the second ”is.” The emphasis is on the first syllable.

Is Alice a Boy or Girl Name?

While Alice is primarily used for girls, it is occasionally used for boys or as a surname. Some names traditionally used for boys are also somewhat similar to Alice.

Variations of Alice

There are several names today that are similar to Alice. Some variations of Alice, such as Alyse employ different spellings while still sounding the same. Other names, such as Alicia, share common components with Alice.

• Alaïs (French)
• Adalheidis (Old High German)
• Adelheide (Dutch and German)
• Alicia (Spanish)
• Alisha (English)
• Alisa (English)
• Alissa (English)
• Alyce (English)
• Alitha (Scandinavian)
• Alita (Spanish)
• Zélie (French)

Nicknames for Alice

While Alice is a simple name, that does not mean that you can not make some fun nicknames out of it. Break down the name into either of the syllables or choose a name that sounds similar to Alice.

• Al
• Ali
• Ally
• Else
• Elsy
• Ice
• Lesa
• Lisa
• Lys

Similar Names to Alice

Due to its versatility, Alice can be similar to a lot of names. However, Victorian names and delicate yet simple feminine names are often the most comparable.

If you like the origin of Alice but want a different name, you may be interested in one that has French and German influences:

• Agatha
• Alexandra
• Amelia
• Anna
• Audrey
• Beatrice
• Bernice
• Charlotte
• Clara
• Dorothy
• Eleanor
• Elizabeth
• Emma
• Evelyn
• Flora
• Frances
• Genevieve
• Lillian
• Louise
• Victoria

Middle Names for Alice

The middle name you choose to pair with Alice can theoretically be anything. However, if you want something that sounds great with Alice, consider one that evokes tradition and gentleness or that celebrates literature:

• Ada
• Ann
• Beatrix
• Daisy
• Eva
• Faith
• Ivy
• Luna
• Mackenzie
• Madeline
• Margaret
• Marie
• May
• Nicole
• Olivia
• Paige
• Quinn
• Rose

Sibling Names for Alice

So, you have a sweet child named Alice, but now you are not sure what to name the next one! Perhaps you want another classic or literary name. Maybe you just want to stick with the letter “A.” Here are some beautiful names for Alice’s new little sibling:

For a Brother:

• Adrian
• Arthur
• Edgar
• Finn
• Gilbert
• Jack
• Oscar
• Sawyer

For a Sister:

• Abigail
• Arden
• Catherine
• Ella
• Eloise
• Matilda
• Penelope
• Ramona

Famous People Named Alice

Though many of the well-known Alices are fictional, there are plenty in the real world. Alices throughout history include princesses, poets, authors, scientists, activists, and actresses:

• The Princess Alice: British royal, daughter of Queen Victoria.
• Alice Cooper: American musician.
• Alice Eve: British actress.
• Alice Hoffman: American author.
• Alice Krige: South African actress.
• Alice Roosevelt Longworth: American writer and socialist, daughter of Theodore Roosevelt.
• Alice MacDonell: Scottish poet.
• Alice Sebold: American author.
• Alice Spigelman: Australian psychologist, writer, and advocate.
• Alice Wilson: Geologist and paleontologist.

Alice in Popular Culture

Perhaps the most well-known Alice in popular culture is still the titular heroine of Lewis Carroll’s 1865 book. However, there are plenty of other Aices in pop culture, including a vampire, a comic book character, a rabbit, and a character from the Transformers movies:

• Alice: Character from “Alice in Wonderland.”
• Alice Cullen: Character from the “Twilight” franchise.
• Alice: Character from the “Transformers” franchise.
• Alice Abernathy: Character from the “Resident Evil” video game series.
• Alice Nelson: Character from the TV series “The Brady Bunch.”
• Alice Quinn: Character from “The Magicians.”

Alice FAQs

If you want to learn more about Alice, here are some questions that are often asked about the name.