Alice comes from the Old French name Aalis, itself a form of the Germanic name Adalheidis, meaning "noble type" (from the elements adal - "noble" and heid - "sort, type"). The name initially rose in popularity in France and England in the 12th century and was one of the most common names, especially in England, until the 16th century. It was revived in the 19th century and 20th centuries and remains common, although its popularity has begun to wane again.