"noble, of noble kind"
Origin: Germanic
Language: English
Alice
Pronunciation: [ AL-uhs ]
Girl Name
#62 Most Popular
Rising
2 Syllables
Down the rabbit hole of literary history—and climbing the charts again
English
French
German
American
Vintage
Literary
Classic
Whimsical
Elegant
Meaning & Origin
"noble natured"
Origin: Old High German
Language: English
"truth"
Origin: Old French
Language: French
"noble, of noble kind"
Origin: Germanic
Language: French via English
"nobility, aristocratic lineage"
Origin: Old German adal-heid
Language: English
The Story of Alice
Alice is the English form of the Old French name Aalis, itself derived from Adalheidis (Adelaide), built from the Germanic components adal (noble) and heid (kind or type), together meaning of noble kind. The Normans brought it to England in 1066. But Alice's immortality was secured by Lewis Carroll's 1865 masterpiece Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, inspired by real child Alice Liddell. Carroll created arguably the most enduring child protagonist in literary history, making Alice forever synonymous with curiosity, imagination, and the willingness to fall down rabbit holes.
Alice was hugely popular in the early 1900s, fell sharply from the mid-20th century as it seemed old-fashioned, and has made a triumphant return since 2010 as the vintage name trend took hold. It re-entered the US top 100 around 2015 and continues to climb, often cited as the perfect combination of historical depth and fresh modern appeal.
Alice in Wonderland is one of the most adapted works in literary history—it has been filmed, staged, and reimagined hundreds of times across every medium. The name carries automatic associations with imagination, curiosity, and intellectual adventure. Alice Paul was a pivotal American suffragist; Alice Walker won the Pulitzer Prize for The Color Purple.
Fun Facts
- Alice Liddell, the inspiration for Alice in Wonderland, was photographed extensively by Lewis Carroll (Charles Dodgson) and grew up to be a celebrated Victorian figure in her own right
- Alice in Wonderland has never been out of print since 1865—it is one of the most continuously published books in the English language
- Alice Paul's 1913 suffrage parade in Washington D.C., organized the day before Woodrow Wilson's inauguration, was a pivotal moment in the American women's rights movement
Alice in Other Languages
French
Alice
German
Alice
Hebrew
אָלִיס
Italian
Alice
Spanish
Alicia
Japanese
アリス
Famous People Named Alice
A
Alice Cooper
Musician
1948
American rock musician known for theatrical heavy metal performances
A
Alice Walker
Writer
1944
American author and activist, winner of the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award for The Color Purple
A
Alice Paul
Activist
1885
American suffragist who organized the 1913 Washington suffrage parade and drafted the original Equal Rights Amendment
A
Alice (Wonderland) Fictional
Other
Protagonist of Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1865) and Through the Looking-Glass (1871), inspired by...
Protagonist of Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1865) and Through the Looking-Glass (1871), inspired by real child Alice Liddell
A
Alice Cullen Fictional
Other
Vampire member of the Cullen family in Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series, with precognitive abilities and an exuberant p...
Vampire member of the Cullen family in Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series, with precognitive abilities and an exuberant personality
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #62
- Total SSA Count
- 3,520
- Cultural Origins
- English French German American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Ali
Allie
Ally
Pairs Well With
Alice Grace
Alice Louise
Alice Rose
Alice Jane
Alice Marie
Alice Claire
Alice Ann
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Alice is also used as a boy name, ranked #19737.
View Alice as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Alice
What does the name Alice mean?
"noble, of noble kind" (from Germanic). "noble natured" (from Old High German). "truth" (from Old French). "noble, of noble kind" (from Germanic). "nobility, aristocratic lineage" (from Old German adal-heid). Alice is the English form of the Old French name Aalis, itself derived from Adalheidis (Adelaide), built from the Germanic components adal (noble) and heid (kind or type), together meaning of noble kind. The Normans brought it to England in 1066. But Alice's immortality was secured by Lewis Carroll's 1865 masterpiece Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, inspired by real child Alice Liddell. Carroll created arguably the most enduring child protagonist in literary history, making Alice forever synonymous with curiosity, imagination, and the willingness to fall down rabbit holes.
What is the origin of the name Alice?
Alice has Germanic, Old High German, Old French, Old German adal-heid, English, French, German, and American origins. In Germanic, it means "noble, of noble kind". In Old High German, it means "noble natured". In Old French, it means "truth". In Germanic, it means "noble, of noble kind". In Old German adal-heid, it means "nobility, aristocratic lineage".
Is Alice a boy or girl name?
Alice is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #62. As a boy name, it is ranked #19737. Alice is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Alice?
Alice is pronounced AL-uhs.
How popular is the name Alice?
Alice is currently ranked #62 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Alice?
Common nicknames for Alice include Ali, Allie, and Ally.
What are good middle names for Alice?
Popular middle name pairings include Alice Grace, Alice Louise, Alice Rose, Alice Jane, Alice Marie, Alice Claire, and Alice Ann.
What are good sibling names for Alice?
Names that pair well with Alice as siblings include Edmund, Henry, Violet, Eleanor, Theodore, Beatrice, and Jasper.
How many syllables does Alice have?
Alice has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Alice a common or rare name?
Alice is a very popular name, ranked #62 among girl names in the United States.
About the Name Alice
Alice is a girl name with English, French, German, and American origins . The name means "noble, of noble kind" in Germanic .
Is Alice a boy or girl name? Alice is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #62 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #19,737. Alice is more commonly used as a girl name.
Alice is currently ranked #62 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Alice has 2 syllables and is pronounced AL-uhs, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Alice include Ali, Allie, and Ally. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Alice include Alicia . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.