Scottish Names & Most Popular Names!
Can you recognize a Scottish first name?
Perhaps the real question is, would you know how to pronounce a Scottish first unique baby names after recognizing it? If you want to learn more about the history and roots of the most original baby names, or are waiting for a happy event and looking for inspiration - especially if you have Scottish roots - you have come to the right place!
Across Scotland, from Dunnet in the North to Mull of Galloway in the South, Scottish names are widely used and truly reflect the history and heritage of the country. Nowadays, their use is more and more widespread, in particular thanks to television, films and books. Many Scottish baby names are becoming popular in the rest of the UK and even across the world.
Popular Scottish names
Some Scottish names are so common that you might not know their origin. And then there are the classic Scottish first names, the timeless ones, those which for decades immediately make us think of the kilt and the bagpipe.
We have, to start, put together a list of the 10 most common Scottish names, with their meanings:
- CRAIG - Originally a Scottish surname, derived from the Gaelic 'creag' meaning rock. This name was given to men living near a cliff.
- DONALD - Popular in all English speaking countries and inspired by the Gaelic name Domhnall which means 'ruler of the world', this was the name of two kings of the Scots and Picts in the 9th century.
- FRASER - This first name was taken from the Scottish family name, the exact origin of which is unknown. According to some it comes from the French word 'fraisier', because strawberries were abundant on the clan lands in Neidpath. But although strawberries appear on the Frasers emblem, this theory is widely disputed.
- IONA - Originating from Old Norse, this name was borrowed from the Scottish island where Saint Dove founded a monastery.
- ISLA - Comes from the name of the Isle of Islay, west of the Scottish coast, and would literally mean 'Island'.
- KEITH - Used as a given name since the 19th century, it was originally a Scottish surname derived from the name of a place. It was also the surname of a long line of Scottish nobles.
- MALCOLM - This classic first name comes from the Scottish Gaelic 'Máel Coluim', which means 'disciple of Saint Dove'. It was the name of 4 great kings of Scotland from the 10th century.
- NEIL - Another name that might not sound Scottish at first. Neil descends from the Gaelic name Niall, which could mean 'champion' or 'cloud' depending on who you are speaking with.
- SCOTT - First a last name, then a first name, used literally, given to someone who was from Scotland or spoke Scottish Gaelic.
- STUART - Became popular in Scotland in the 19th century, comes from a surname given to a steward.
Gaelic names
Gaelic is a Celtic language, spoken mainly in the Highlands and the islands west of Scotland. You could see it with the popular names mentioned above, it inspired many first names used in the English language today. Some of these names have an English translation which is more often used, but the most beautiful Scottish names in my opinion are the ones that have kept their Gaelic sound. You just have to be able to spell them!
Although Scottish Gaelic and Irish Gaelic both come from the same source, they are distinctly different. There is some controversy as to whether these are two different dialects of the same language, or if they are in fact two different languages, but they are very different to the ear. Each nation has its own vocabulary and dialect.
Here are some of the popular, and some less common, Gaelic names still in use in Scotland today:
Gaelic female first names:
- CATRIONA - Still very popular, Catriona is the Gaelic form of Catherine.
- EILIDH - Very popular for a long time in Scotland, and arguably the only Gaelic first name to have entered the top 20 baby names of 2018 (see 'Scottish baby names' below) this pretty name would be the Gaelic version of' Helen. Pronounced Aye-lie.
- LIÙSAIDH - An enchanting female given name, Liùsaidh is the Scottish Gaelic alternative to the Italian given name Lucia, which means elegant, graceful, luminous. Pronounce Lou-saille.
- MAIREAD - One of my favorites. The Scottish form of Marguerite.
- MALVINA - Created by poet James MacPherson in the 18th century for a character in his Songs of Ossian. He probably meant 'smooth forehead' in Gaelic.
- MORAG - One of my favorite traditional female first names. In Gaelic Mòrag means 'greatness' and 'sun'. It is also said to be the Scottish version of Sarah, which means princess.
- OIGHRIG - In Scottish Gaelic, literally 'the new speckle'. Sometimes shortened to 'Effie'.
- RHONA - Possibly from the Hebridean Isle of Rona, 'the rough island' in Gaelic.
- SORCHA - Sorcha means 'light', 'radiant', 'radiant'. Sorcha is found in Scotland and Ireland. This first name comes from the Gaelic word 'brilliant' and also has links with the first name Clara. Pronounced Sor-ka.
Gaelic male names
- BEATHAN - Although whiskey or 'brandy' is translated into Scottish Gaelic as uisge-beatha , the first name Beathan simply means 'life'. Pronounce BAEy-un. It is undoubtedly one of the least common first names.
- BLAIR - Comes from a Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic blár meaning 'plain, field, battlefield'.
- CINÁED - Means 'Born of fire' in Gaelic. It was the name of the first king of the Scots and Picts in the 9th century.
- COINNEACH - Perhaps better known in its English form, Kenneth, Coinneach means 'beautiful', and derives from the Gaelic caoin . Pronounced Conak, it is also popular in Ireland.
- ERSKINE - Derived from a surname, itself derived from the name of a Scottish town meaning 'protruding height' in Gaelic.
- FINGAL - From Scottish Gaelic Fionnghall meaning 'white foreigner', derived from fionn 'white, pale' and gall 'foreign'. This is the hero's name in James Macpherson's epic poem Fingal (1762), inspired by an ancient Gaelic legend about Fionn mac Cumhail.
- GILCHRIST - Derived from the Gaelic expression giolla Chríost which means 'servant of Christ'.
- LACHLANN - A nice nod to the mythical lochs of Scotland. Lachlan is a male given name meaning 'land of lochs'. Pronounced lac-lane. It is also a nickname in Scotland for someone from Norway.
- RUADH - Small Gaelic name meaning 'red', often used as a nickname for someone with red hair. It was the nickname of Scottish outlaw Raibeart Ruadh MacGregor (1671-1734), better known as Rob Roy.
- ÙISDEAN - Pronounced Oosh-jun, this Scottish Gaelic male given name has its roots from Old Norse Eysteinn, which the rough translation is 'island of eternal stone'.
Scottish female names
There are many other Scottish names, with ancient roots, some of which have become popular while others are virtually unknown. The origins of Scottish female first names are too varied to list them all, but they often came from which clan you belonged to, some physical characteristic or where you lived. Others started out as nicknames, but later became real first names. There is a growing trend in Scotland to give baby girls names that sound more appealing.
So we have compiled the feminine names that sound the sweetest to our ears!
- AILSA - It is pronounced like Elsa (the English version…) and is a real Scottish first name, with Viking origins. It refers to the volcanic island of Ailsa Craig and its colony of Northern Gannets, located in the Firth of Clyde and which means 'supernatural victory'.
- ARABELLA - Its origins in Scotland go back to medieval times, the given name Arabella has a long and prosperous history and has been popular for centuries. It is said to have originated from the way the Scots pronounce the first name 'Annabelle'.
- BONNIE - An iconic and timeless Scottish given name, Bonnie is the Scottish word for beautiful, pretty, stunning, alluring.
- SENGA - Agnes first name backwards, Senga is a traditional Scottish given name meaning pure and chaste. It has been less popular in recent years, which makes it all the more unique.
- SKYE - A name that is popular around the world these days! Inspired by the Isle of Skye, one of Scotland's most magical islands. An ideal first name for adventurers and strong personalities.
Scottish male names
When it comes to male first names, Scotland has a huge selection of brave, inventive and original first names. Here are our favorites:
- ALASDAIR - Of Scottish Gaelic origin, means 'men who defend', is also spelled Alistair.
- BRODIE - Brodie is the name of a castle in Moray, Scotland, but the first name can also come from the Gaelic 'moat'.
- DUNCAN - One of the most classic Scottish names, it means 'brown warrior'. This charming royal name is neither too popular nor too original.
- FINLAY - This very popular first name comes from FIONNLAGH , which means 'white warrior'. It's a mixed first name, although it seems to be more given to boys.
- FERGUS - Fergus is a male given name of Scottish origin meaning 'man of strength'.
- HAMISH - Hard to be more Scottish than Hamish. A classic name still in vogue, it's a charming Scottish version of James, or Jacques in French. Hamish means supplanter and Highlander.
- KENNETH - Also known as Kenny or Ken. The first King of Scotland means 'born of fire', 'beautiful'.
- PADEN - The male given unique baby names Paden originates from Scotland and translates to 'royal'. A very nice name for a boy, perfect for parents looking for an original name with Scottish roots.
- RORY - This given name actually originates from both Ireland and Scotland, it's a Gaelic version of 'red haired king'. In Scotland the traditional spelling is Ruairidh, although the pronunciation is the same.
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