50 Scottish Baby Names

Learn the meaning and origins of popular Scottish baby names

scottish flag

Getty Images / georgeclerk

With its rolling green highlands, deep waters, and handsome towering castles, some might argue Scotland is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. In addition to its scenic landscapes—and of course that delicious whiskey and the unique sound of bagpipes—this country has given us baby names that range from iconic to truly unique. If you’re trying to find the perfect name for your baby girl or boy, perhaps you’ll find that a Scottish name is the winner.

Scottish Names for Your Baby

Choose a beautiful and unique Scottish name for your new arrival.

  • Ansley
  • Alastair
  • Blair
  • Blake
  • Cameron
  • Dallas
  • Davina
  • Fiona
  • Kenna
  • Lachlan
  • Lainey
  • Morrison
  • Murdock
  • Rory
  • Skye

Popular Scottish Baby Names for Girls

Below you'll find 25 unique Scottish baby names for girls along with their meanings, origins, and a few fun facts.

Aileen

  • Origin: Scottish, Irish
  • Meaning: Light, from the green meadow
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Aila, Aileana, Ailein, Aileene, Eileen, Helen, Leena, Lina
  • Peak Popularity: Aileen saw peaks in popularity in both the 1920s and 2000s.

Ailsa

  • Origin: Viking, Scottish
  • Meaning: Supernatural victory
  • Famous Namesakes: Ailsa Piper, Australian TV star
  • Peak Popularity: Ailsa is not a popular baby name. In fact, there were only 23 girls named Ailsa in 2020 in Scotland.

Fun Fact: This popular Scottish girl’s name refers to Ailsa Craig, a volcanic island and gannet colony located in the Firth of Clyde. It has Viking origins and is pronounced “Elsa.”

Annabel

  • Origin: Scottish, Latin
  • Meaning: Beautiful, graceful
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Annabelle, Anna, Belle
  • Famous Namesakes: Annabel Daou, an artist from Beirut
  • Peak Popularity: Annabel experienced a peak in the 2010s.

Fun Fact: Edgar Allen Poe wrote a famous poem called Annabel Lee, which is about a lost love.

Ansley

  • Origin: Scottish
  • Meaning: Clearing with a small dwelling
  • Famous Namesakes: Ansley Cargill, a U.S. tennis player
  • Peak Popularity: Ansley has seen a recent peak in popularity, which began in 2011.

Blair

  • Origin: Scottish, Celtic
  • Meaning: Battlefield
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Blaire, Blare
  • Famous Namesakes: Blair Chenoweth, U.S. beauty queen
  • Peak Popularity: Blair saw a peak in popularity in the 1980s.

Fun Fact: This common Scottish girl’s name used to be more common as a surname.

Bonnie

  • Origin: Scottish,
  • Meaning: Charming, beautiful, good
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Bonny, Bonny-Lee
  • Famous Namesakes: Bonnie Wright, a British actress; Bonnie Rideout, an award-winning Scottish fiddler
  • Peak Popularity: Bonnie was particularly popular in the 1940s through 1960s.

Fun Fact: It’s very likely that this common Scottish name comes from the French word bon, which means “good.”

Catriona

  • Origin: Scottish
  • Meaning: Pure
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Cat, Kat, Katherina, Kathryn, Katerina, Katherine
  • Famous Namesakes: Catriona Morison, a Scottish opera singer; Catriona MacInnes, a Scottish film-maker
  • Peak Popularity: Catriona hasn't been a popular name. It has never made the top 1000 list in the U.S., and in 2020, only 5 girls were given this name in Scotland.

Fun Fact: Author Robert Louis Stevenson wrote a novel about a woman named Catriona, which was also the title of the book.

Cameron

  • Origin: Scottish, Celtic
  • Meaning: Crooked nose
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Cammie, Cammy, Camryn
  • Famous Namesakes: Cameron Diaz, a U.S. actress; Cameron Crowe, a U.S. screenwriter and director
  • Peak Popularity: Cameron (as a girl’s name) saw a peak popularity in the 1990s and 2000s.

Fun Fact: Despite its unflattering meaning, Cameron is one of the most popular Scottish names for both boys and girls.

Davina

  • Origin: Scottish, Hebrew
  • Meaning: Small deer
  • Famous Namesakes: Davina McCall, an English TV host
  • Peak Popularity: This girl’s name has long been popular in Scotland, but in the 2000s it re-entered the U.S. top 1000 list of baby names in 2016.

Fun Fact: Davina is the feminized version of the name David.

Drew

  • Origin: Scottish
  • Meaning: Brave
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Andrew
  • Famous Namesakes: Drew Barrymore, U.S. actress
  • Peak Popularity: Drew saw a very small peak in popularity in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Fun Fact: Drew is the feminized version of the name Andrew.

Elsbeth

  • Origin: Scottish, English
  • Meaning: God is bountiful
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Elizabeth, Lisabeth, Elsa, Elisabeth, Liz, Liza, Eliza, Lizbet, Elsie
  • Famous Namesakes: Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Elizabeth II, Queens of England
  • Peak Popularity: Elsbeth hasn't been a popular name. In 2019, only eight girls were given this name.

Fiona

  • Origin: Gaelic, Irish, Scottish
  • Meaning: Feminine, fair
  • Famous Namesakes: Fiona Apple, U.S. singer; Julia Fiona Roberts, U.S. actress
  • Peak Popularity: This girl’s name hit the U.S. popularity list in the 1990s.

Isla

  • Origin: Scottish
  • Meaning: Dynamic, vibrant, bright
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Islay, Aisla
  • Famous Namesakes: Isla Fischer, U.S. actress
  • Peak Popularity: Isla is currently peaking in popularity. In 2020, over 4,000 girls were given this name.

Fun Fact: This popular girl’s name refers to Islay, an island located off the Scottish coast.

Jaime

  • Origin: Scottish, Hebrew
  • Meaning: May God protect
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Jamie, Jami, Jaymie, James
  • Famous Namesakes: Jamie Lee Curtis, U.S. actress; Jamie Lynn Spears, U.S. singer
  • Peak Popularity: The name Jamie peaked in the 1980s.

Fun Fact: This name is the feminized version of James.

Kenna

  • Origin: Scottish
  • Meaning: Born of fire
  • Famous Namesakes: Kenna Zemedkun, U.S. musician
  • Peak Popularity: Kenna saw a small peak in popularity in the 2010s.

Fun Fact: This name is the feminized version of Kenneth.

Lainey

  • Origin: Scottish, English, French
  • Meaning: Shining light
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Laney, Lainie, Elaine
  • Famous Namesakes: Lainey Keogh, Irish fashion designer
  • Peak Popularity: Lainey saw a small peak in the 2000s and 2010s.

Leana

  • Origin: Scottish, English
  • Meaning: Grace, favor
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Liana, Leeanna, Leann, Juliana
  • Peak Popularity: Leana hasn't been a popular name. It has not been in the top 1000 in the U.S. since 1905.

Lorna

  • Origin: Scottish, English
  • Meaning: Honor, victory
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Loren, Lorne
  • Famous Namesakes: Lorna Anderson, Scottish soprano; Lorna Hill, British children’s author
  • Peak Popularity: Lorna was particularly popular in the 1930s through 1960s.

Fun Fact: This Scottish girl name refers to the laurel tree, which is a considered a symbol of honor or victory.

Maisie

  • Origin: Scottish
  • Meaning: Pearl
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Mazie, Margaret
  • Famous Namesakes: Maisie Williams, English actress
  • Peak Popularity: Maisie is currently peaking slightly in popularity. In 2020, 760 girls were given this name.

Makenna

  • Origin: Scottish
  • Meaning: Child of the handsome one
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: McKenna, Mac
  • Peak Popularity: Makenna experienced a small peak in popularity in the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s. In 2020, about 800 girls were give then name.

Nessa

  • Origin: Scottish
  • Meaning: From the headland
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Ness, Vanessa
  • Famous Namesakes: Nessa Diab, U.S. TV host
  • Peak Popularity: Nessa hasn't been a popular name, and has never been in the top 1000 list in the United States.

Paisley

  • Origin: Scottish
  • Meaning: Church
  • Peak Popularity: Paisley is currently peaking in popularity. In 2020, over 4000 girls were given this name.

Fun Fact: The name Paisley was given to a very unique textile pattern, which was first produced in a town called Paisley, Scotland.


Sima

  • Origin: Scottish
  • Meaning: Listener, face
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Seema
  • Peak Popularity: Sima has never been in the top 1000 list in the United States.

Senga

  • Origin: Scottish
  • Meaning: Pure, chaste
  • Peak Popularity: Senga has never been in the top 1000 list in the United States.

Fun Fact: Senga is the name “Agnes” spelled backwards.

Skye

  • Origin: Scottish
  • Meaning: Adventurous, bold
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Sky
  • Famous Namesakes: Skye Edwards, English singer
  • Peak Popularity: The name Skye saw a small peak in popularity in the 1980s through now.

Fun Fact: This popular Scottish girl’s name refers to a paradise island in Scotland, the Island of Skye.

Popular Scottish Baby Names for Boys 

Below you'll find 25 unique Scottish baby names for boys along with their meanings, origins, and a few fun facts.

Abhainn

  • Origin: Scottish
  • Meaning: River
  • Peak Popularity: Abhainn has never been in the top 1000 list in the United States.

Alastair

  • Origin: Scottish, Gaelic
  • Meaning: Defender
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Alistaire, Allister, Alasdair
  • Famous Namesakes: Alistair Cooke, a British-born American writer
  • Peak Popularity: Alastair ranked 963 in 2020.

Fun Fact: This name is variation on Alexander.

Blane

  • Origin: Scottish, Celtic
  • Meaning: Slender
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Blaine
  • Famous Namesakes: Blaine Larsen, U.S. country singer
  • Peak Popularity: Blaine ranked 891 in the U.S. in 2020.

Blake

  • Origin: Scottish, English
  • Meaning: Dark-haired
  • Famous Namesakes: Blake Shelton, U.S. country singer
  • Peak Popularity: Blake saw a surge in popularity in the 1980s through 2010s.

Brodric

  • Origin: Scottish, Scandinavian
  • Meaning: Brother
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Broderick, Brodie
  • Peak Popularity: Brodic has never been in the top 1000 list in the United States.

Camden

  • Origin: Scottish, English
  • Meaning: From the winding valley
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Cammie, Cam
  • Famous Namesakes: Camden Garcia, U.S. actor
  • Peak Popularity: Camden is currently peaking in popularity. In 2020, roughly 2300 baby boys were given this name.

Clyde

  • Origin: Scottish
  • Meaning: River
  • Famous Namesakes: Clyde McPhatter, U.S. R&B singer
  • Peak Popularity: Clyde was particularly popular in the 1910s through '50s.

Fun Fact: This name refers to a Scotland river, the River Clyde, which flows through Glasgow.

Craig

  • Origin: Scottish, Irish, Welsh
  • Meaning: Rock
  • Famous Namesakes: Craig Robinson, U.S. actor; Craig Ferguson, Scottish T.V. host
  • Peak Popularity: Craig saw a peak in popularity in the 1950s through '80s.

Fun Fact: This name is derived from the Gaelic word “creag” or “crag,” which is a group of rocks.

Creighton

  • Origin: English, Scottish
  • Meaning: Rocky place, hilltop
  • Peak Popularity: Creighton has never been in the top 1000 list in the United States.

Dallas

  • Origin: Scottish, English
  • Meaning: Meadow
  • Famous Namesakes: Dallas Clark, U.S. football player
  • Peak Popularity: Dallas saw a peak in popularity in the 2000s with 1,249 boys given the name in 2020.

Fun Fact: Dallas isn’t just a big city in Texas; it’s the name of a small village in Scotland, too. 

Duncan

  • Origin: Scottish, Gaelic, Celtic
  • Meaning: Warrior
  • Famous Namesakes: Duncan Hines, U.S. entrepreneur known for his confections
  • Peak Popularity: Duncan saw a small peak in popularity in the 1990s. In 2020, 216 boys were given the name.

Fun Fact: Duncan is a royal Scotsman—King Duncan, who was killed by a man named Macbeth. The story was told by Shakespeare in one of his dramatic plays.

Fraser

  • Origin: Scottish
  • Meaning: Of the forest men
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Frasier, Frazier
  • Peak Popularity: Fraser has never been in the top 1000 list in the United States.

Fun Fact: Fraser is also the name of a Scottish clan from the country’s lowlands.

Gaven

  • Origin: Scottish
  • Meaning: White hawk
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Gavin, Gavyn
  • Famous Namesakes: Gavin Rossdale, English singer
  • Peak Popularity: Gaven saw a small peak in popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

 Kendrew

  • Origin: Scottish
  • Meaning: Manly, brave
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Ken, Drew, Dru, Andrew
  • Peak Popularity: Kendrew has never been in the top 1000 list in the United States.

Kenneth

  • Origin: Scottish
  • Meaning: Handsome
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Coinneach, Kenny, Ken
  • Famous Namesakes: Kenneth Edmonds "Babyface", U.S. singer; Kenneth Ham, astronaut
  • Peak Popularity: Kenneth saw a large peak in popularity in the 1930s through the 1980s. In 1957, over 28,000 boys were given this name. It remains somewhat popular but certainly less so. In 2020, 1466 boys were given the name.

Fun Fact: Kenneth is the more recognizable, Anglicized variation of Coinneach, pronounced similarly.

Keith

  • Origin: Irish, Scottish, Welsh
  • Meaning: Forest
  • Famous Namesakes: Keith Richards, English singer; Keith Carradine, U.S. actor
  • Peak Popularity: Keith saw a peak in popularity in the 1950s through the 1970s. In 1966, 11,612 boys were given the name.

Fun Fact: This Scottish boy’s name was first a very common surname.

Lachlan

  • Origin: Scottish
  • Meaning: Land of lakes
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Lakeland, Laochailan, Lake
  • Famous Namesakes: Lachlan Macquarie, British Army officer from Scotland
  • Peak Popularity: Lachlan is experiencing a very small peak in popularity. In 2020, about 357 boys were given this name.

Malcolm

  • Origin: Scottish
  • Meaning: A disciple of Saint Columb
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Malcom
  • Famous Namesakes: Malcolm Gladwell, English author and journalist; Malcolm X, U.S. minister and activist
  • Peak Popularity: Malcolm saw a peak in popularity in the 1980s and 1990s. In 2020, 1160 boys were given this name.

Fun Fact: Four kings in Scotland were named Malcolm.

Morrison

  • Origin: English, Scottish
  • Meaning: Son of Mary’s servant
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Maury
  • Peak Popularity: Morrison has never been in the top 1000 list in the United States.

Murdock

  • Origin: Celtic, Scottish
  • Meaning: Protector of the sea
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Murdoch
  • Peak Popularity: Murdock has never been in the top 1000 list in the United States.

Fun Fact: Though used as a first name, we usually see Murdock as a surname.

Neil

  • Origin: Scottish, Gaelic
  • Meaning: Champion, cloud
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Niall, Neill, Neal
  • Famous Namesakes: Neil Armstrong, astronaut; Neil Young, U.S. musician; Neil deGrasse Tyson, U.S. astrophysicist; Neil Diamond, U.S. singer-songwriter
  • Peak Popularity: Neil experienced a small peak in popularity in the 1940s through the 1980s. In 1953, roughly 2000 boys were given this name.

Rory

  • Origin: Scottish, Irish
  • Meaning: Red king
  • Famous Namesakes: Rory Kennedy, U.S. filmmaker and daughter of JFK
  • Peak Popularity: Rory has experienced a small and steady peak since the 1950s. In 2020, 989 boys were given the name.

Scott

  • Origin: Scottish, English
  • Meaning: From Scotland, wanderer
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Scotty, Scot
  • Famous Namesakes: Scott Weiland, U.S. musician
  • Peak Popularity: Scott saw a large peak in popularity in the 1950s through the 1970s. In 1971, over 30,000 boys were given the name.

Fun Fact: This has long been a nickname that was given to Scottish people.

Stewart

  • Origin: English, Scottish
  • Meaning: Steward, castle guard
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Stuart, Stu
  • Famous Namesakes: Stewart Copeland, U.S. drummer
  • Peak Popularity: Stewart saw a small peak in popularity in the 1940s through the 1960s. In 1955, 630 boys were given the name.

Fun Fact: In the medieval era, a steward’s job was to look after the castle.

Tavis

  • Origin: Scottish, Irish
  • Meaning: Twin
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Tavish
  • Famous Namesakes: Tavis Smiley, U.S. radio personality
  • Peak Popularity: Tavis has never been in the top 1000 list in the United States.
1 Source
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  1. Social Security Administration. Popularity of name.

By Wendy Rose Gould
Wendy Rose Gould is a lifestyle reporter with over a decade of experience covering health and wellness topics.