Spanning the gamut from the trendiest to traditional and classic names our list of the top 448 Scottish baby names and their meanings is replete with meaningful and stunning choices.
With their captivating mystique and trademark appeal, Scottish baby names are a vivid tableau that portrays the country's vibrant folklore and storied Gaelic roots.
Imbued with serene beauty and queenly grace, names, such as Fiona and Margaret are instinct with genteel elegance, while boy names, like Angus and Malcolm, remind us of infamous Scottish kings and heroes who stood their tallest with might on battlefields!
As unique as they come, Scottish baby names are a blend of extraordinary beauty and pervasive enchantment!
In this article:
Keep reading and unearth the top 448 Scottish baby names and their meanings:
Scottish female names:
Adair - Shallow place in a river near oaks
Adaira - From the oak tree ford
Aila (Ayla) - From a strong place
Aileen - Light
Ailish - God is my oath
Ailsa - Fairy rock
Aine - Radiance, joy
Ainsley - One's own meadow
Ainslie - Hermitage wood or clearing
Aislinn - Dream, vision
Aithne - Fire
Alana - Rock
Alba - Dawn, sunrise, or white
Alma - Feed one's soul or lift the spirits
Anice - Grace
Annag - Grace, Favor
Arabel - Yielding to prayer or beautiful altar
Ardbeg - Small Promontory or High Headland
Aubrey - Elf ruler
Barabal - The Scottish Gaelic version of the Greek name Barbara, meaning Foreign and strange
Barra - Sharp, pointed
Beathag - Life
Beitris - Voyager, traveler, or bringer of joy
Beth - God is my oath
Blair - Battlefield
Blane - Yellow
Bonnie - Pretty, good
Brae - Hill
Breagha - Beautiful, fair
Bree - Strength
Brenda - Little raven
Brice - Speckled, freckled
Brooklynn - Broken Land
Caelin - Powerful warrior
Cairistìona - Follower of Christ
Cait - Pure
Caitriona - Pure
Callan - Rock, chat
Cameron - Crooked nose
Cara - Friend
Catriona - Pure, clear
Ciorstaidh - Follower of Christ
Coira - Seething pool
Coral - Small stones
Corra - From the seething pool
Dacey - From the south, Southerner
Dallas - Dwells by the waterfall
Dallis - Dweller at the Dales
Davina - The female version of David, meaning beloved
Deirdre - Broken-hearted, sorrowful
Deòiridh - Pilgrim
Donella - Powerful woman
Doreen - Moody
Dorothy - Gift of God
Drew - Manly
Edina - From Edinburgh
Effie - Good reputation, well-spoken
Eilidh - Probably the Gaelic diminutive form of the name Eilionoir, which is the Gaelic form of Helen, meaning Sun ray, shining light. It is also related to "eilidh," which means "foal" or "young horse" in Scottish Gaelic.
Eimhir - Swift
Elsbeth - Pledged to God
Elspeth - The Scottish variant of Elizabeth, meaning God is my oath
Elva - Elf or White, Bright
Elvine - Elf friend
Enid - Spirit
Enya - Kernel, grain
Esme - Loved
Euna - Lamb
Fallon - In charge
Fenella - Fair-shouldered
Fergie - Strength of a spear
Fia - Dark of peace
Finella - Fair shoulder
Fiona - Fair, white, clear
Flora - Flower
Freya - Noble woman
Fritzie - Peace ruler
Gillian - Youthful
Ginessa - White as a foam
Glenna - Valley
Glenys - Pure, holy
Glinda - Good
Glynis - Valley
Greer - Watchful, vigilant
Haley - Ingenious, clever or hay clearing/meadow
Hamish - Supplanter
Heather - A flowering plant
Hester - Star
Heulwen - Sunlight
Hollis - Holly tree
Ilisa - God's satisfaction
Innes - Island
Iona - An island in Scotland - also carries the meaning of Yew place
Ishbel - God is my oath
Isla - Island
Islay - Name of a Scottish island
Isobel - My God is an oath
Iver - Archer or Fighter with Bow
Janneth - God is gracious
Jean - God is gracious
Jenna - Fair phantom or white shadow
Jessie - God beholds
Jodie - Praised
Jura - Deer island
Kaira - From the fortress
Kayi - Rejoice
Kaylee - Pure
Kelso - Calk chalk
Kenna - Born of fire
Kinny - From the top of the cliff
Kirsteen - Christian woman
Kirsty - Christian woman
Kyla - Lovely
Kylie - Beautiful, graceful
Lael - Belonging to God
Leana - Sunbeam
Lesley - Garden of holly
Lile - Lily
Lileas - Lily
Lilias - Lily
Lilidh - Lily
Lindsey - Linden trees near the water
Lorna - The feminine version of Lorne. referring to the laurel tree as a symbol of honor or victory
Macey - Heavy staff or club
Mackenna - Daughter of Cionaoith
Mairead - Pearl
Mairi - Sea of bitterness or beloved or rebelliousness
Maisie - Pearl
Malina - Tower
Mallaidh - Sweet
Marsaili - Pearl
Marsali - Marsala (wine)
Maura - Dark-skinned
Mina - Love
Mirren - Bitter sea
Moibeal - Lovable
Moira - Bitter
Moray - Sea
Morven - Big gap
Munroe - Man of the River Roe
Nairne - River with alder trees
Nell - Bright, shining
Nessa - Pure, holy
Nola - The feminine form of Nolan, meaning Noble
Nora - Honor
Noreen - Honor
Odhran - Little pale green one
Oighrig - New speckled one
Olwyn - White footprint
Oona - Lamb
Orabel - Beautiful seacoast
Orla - Golden Princess
Osla - God consecrated, pledged to God
Paislee - Church
Paisley - Church, cemetery, or patterned fabric
Pandra - Chief dragon
Peggy - Pearl
Peigi - Pearl
Peyton - Royal
Philena - Lover of mankind
Quinn - Wise, intelligent
Rabina - Famed, bright
Rey - King or whole, universal
Rhiannon - Great queen or Goddess
Rhona - Rough island
Rilla - Small brook
Robina - Famed, bright, shining
Rory - Red-haired king or great king
Rowena - White-haired
Senga - Pure, Chaste
Sheena - God is gracious
Shirley - Bright meadow
Shona - God is gracious
Sileas - The Scottish version of Cecilia, meaning Blind
Sine - God is gracious
Skye - Adventurous, free spirit
Sorcha - Bright, radiant
Sorley - Summer wanderer or Summer warrior
Talorc - Leader of the people
Tara - Crag, tower
Tavie - Twin
Teàrlag - Instigator
Teasag - God will add
Tierney - Noblewoman
Tirion - Gentle, kind
Tressa - Third
Twila - Twilight
Uisdean - Brave
Ula - Jewel of the sea
Una - One
Ursa - Bear
Valla - Chosen
Vevina - Sweet lady
Vika - Creek
Viona - Fair, white, clear
Wallace - Stranger, Foreigner
Whitley - White meadow
Wilna - Desired
Winifred - White, fair
Wylie - Beguiling
Wynn - Joy or Bliss
Ysabel - God is my oath
Zena - Guest, stranger, or born of Zeus, belonging to Zeus
Make sure not to miss our complete list of Scottish girl names.
Scottish names for boys:
Aed - Fire.
Aedan - Born of fire.
Alastair - Scottish form of Alexander; defender of the people.
Alpin - White.
Angus - Unique choice; meaning "one strength."
Arran - Name of an island in Scotland, meaning exalted or prominent
Artair - Bear-like or Rock.
Aulay - Ancestor's descendant.
Baen - Fair-skinned.
Balfour - Pasture land or The village by the pasture.
Barclay - Birch tree meadow.
Blair - Battlefield or plain, meadow, field.
Boyd - Yellow-haired or Blond.
Bran - Raven.
Brodie - A little ridge or a brow or a precipice.
Bruce - From the brushwood thicket; the name of Scottish kings.
Bryce - Speckled or Freckled.
Caden - Spirit of battle or Round, Gentle
Cael - Victorious people or Slender
Cailean - Young dog.
Cain - Acquired or Possesed
Calder - Rough waters.
Calum - Dove; Scottish form of Columba.
Camden - From the winding valley.
Camdyn - Winding valley.
Carrick - Rock.
Carson - Son of the marsh-dwellers.
Chalmers - Rules the home.
Clach - Stone.
Clive - From the cliff.
Con - Wise or Strange, Foreign
Conall - Strong wolf.
Cormag - Charioteer.
Craig - From the rocks or crag.
Crawford - From the crow's ford.
Crispin - Curly-haired.
Dallan - Valley of water or Blind
Dallas - From the Dales or meadow dwelling
Davie - Beloved; form of David.
Dermid - Free man or Free of Envy.
Donnan - Brown.
Dougal - Dark stranger.
Douglas - Dark stream.
Drew - Manly.
Drummond - At the ridge.
Duff - Dark.
Duffie - Dark peace.
Duncan - Dark-skinned warrior; a king of Scotland.
Dunlop - Muddy hill.
Eachann - Horse brown.
Ealadhach - Strong will power.
Ealasaid - God is my oath.
Eamonn - Wealthy protector.
Eanraig - Ruler of the home; Scottish form of Henry.
Eideard - Rich guard; Scottish form of Edward.
Eoghan - Born of the yew tree or Youth.
Eòin - God is gracious.
Erskine - From the high hills or Upon the knife.
Ervin - Green water.
Euan - Youthful.
Ewen - Young.
Faelan - Little wolf.
Farquhar - Friendly man.
Fearchar - Dear one.
Fergie - Supreme man.
Fergus - Strong man.
Fingal - White stranger.
Finlay - Fair-haired hero.
Finn - White or fair.
Fleming - Man from Flanders.
Forbes - Field.
Fraser - Strawberryor Of the forest man.
Galen - Calm.
Garroway - Rough peace.
Gavin - White Hawk.
Gilchrist - Servant of Christ.
Gilleasbuig - Bishop's servant.
Glen - From the wooded valley.
Glenwood - Valley forest.
Gordon - Great Hill.
Gow - Smith.
Graham - Gravelly homestead.
Greer - Watchful.
Gregor - Vigilant, a watchman.
Guthrie - Windy spot.
Hallam - At the rocks.
Hamish - Supplanter; Scottish form of James.
Hamlyn - Little home-lover.
Haslett - From the hazel tree land.
Hayden - Heathen or Of the heathen.
Hendry - Ruler of the household.
Iagan - God is gracious.
Ian - God is gracious; Scottish form of John.
Innes - Island.
Irven - Green water.
Irvine - Fresh water.
Isaac - He will laugh.
Ivor - Archer.
Jack - God is gracious.
Jaimi - Supplanter.
Jamie - Supplanter.
Jamieson - Supplanter.
Jock - God is gracious.
Kaden - Son of Cadan
Keane - Fighter.
Keir - Dark skinned.
Keith - Wood.
Kellen - Slender.
Kelvin - River man.
Kenzie - Fair one.
Kerr - Dark or Dusky.
Kinnon - Fair born.
Kyle - Narrow.
Lach - Lives near water.
Lachlan - From the land of lakes.
Laird - Lord.
Lamont - Man of law.
Leith - Broad River.
Lenno - With many elm trees.
Lennox - With many elm trees.
Leslie - Holly Garden.
Lindsey - Linden Tree Island.
Logan - Little hollow.
Loudon - Low valley.
Lyle - The island.
Lyndon - From the linden tree hill.
Macaulay - Son of righteousness.
Macfarlane - Son of Farlan.
Macgregor - Son of a shepherd.
Mack - Son of.
Mackendrick - Son of Henry.
Mackinnon - Son of fair born.
Macklin - Son of Flann.
Maddox - Fortunate.
Madison - Gift from God and mighty warrior.
Malcolm - Devotee of Saint Columba.
Maldue - Man's Defender or Helper of Mankind.
Malin - Little strong warrior.
Manus - Great.
Marsaili - Mars' worshipper.
Menzies - From Menzies in Scotland.
Mingus - Tenant.
Monroe - Mouth of the Roe river.
Mungo - Dear one.
Munro - Man from the mouth of the Roe.
Murray - Settlement by the sea.
Nairne - At the alder tree river.
Naomhan - Little saint.
Nash - At the ash tree.
Neacel - People's victory.
Neil - Champion or passionate or eager.
Neilson - Neil's son.
Niall - Champion or passionate or eager.
Nicol - People's victory.
Niven - Little saint.
Ogden - Oak valley.
Oidhche - Night.
Oran - Green.
Osgar - Deer lover.
Padruig - Patrician.
Parlan - Farmer; Scottish form of Bartholomew.
Parth - Son of the furrows.
Paton - Royal.
Payton - Village of the Warrior.
Peadair - Stone.
Peadar - Stone; Scottish form of Peter.
Pentland - From Pictland.
Quade - One who is born fourth or evil. Some claim that it is derived from the Gaelic "cuada," which means "wavy" or "shaggy."
Quillan - Cub.
Quincy - Estate of the fifth son.
Quinlan - Graceful.
Raibeart - Bright fame.
Ramsay - Garlic Island.
Ranald - Scottish form of Ronald, meaning ruler's counselor.
Rannoch - Lake with islands.
Ranulf - Raven wolf.
Reid - Red-haired.
Renny - Small and mighty.
Rob - Bright fame.
Robbie - Famed, bright, shining.
Roderick - Famous ruler.
Ron - Ruler's counselor.
Rory - Red-haired king.
Ross - Peninsula or Headland.
Rosselin - Red.
Roy - Red.
Ruaridh - Red king.
Saunderson - Sandy soil.
Sawyer - Cuts timber.
Scott - A Scotsman.
Scotty - Scottish.
Seoras - Farmer; Scottish form of George.
Seymour - From Saint-Maur.
Shand - Thunder.
Shaun - God is gracious.
Shaw - Dweller by the wood.
Sholto - Sower.
Shug - Intelligent.
Sinclair - From Saint Clair, France.
Skye - Cloud or Mist.
Sloan - Warrior or Fighter.
Sorley - Viking.
Stevie - Crown.
Stewart - Guardian or Steward.
Struan - Stream.
Stuart - Guardian or Steward.
Sutherland - From the southern land.
Sweeney - Little hero.
Tadg - Poet or philosopher.
Tait - Merry.
Talbert - Bright Valley.
Tam - Twin.
Tamhas - Twin.
Tavion - Twin.
Tavish - Twin.
Teagan - Little poet and descendant of Tadhgán or Fair and Beautiful.
Thane - Landholder.
Thorburn - Thor's bear.
Tierney - Lord.
Tiree - Land of corn.
Tod - Fox.
Tomas - Twin.
Tormod - Mind or Courage.
Torquil - Thor's helmet.
Tristan - Tumult.
Tucker - Fabric pleater.
Uallach - Proud.
Uilleam - Will, desire, and helmet; Scottish form of William.
Uisdean - Intelligent.
Urquhart - From the rowan wood.
Vardon - Green knoll.
Vass - From the ash tree.
Vaughan - Small.
Wallace - Foreigner or stranger.
Walter - Army ruler.
Warwick - From the buildings by the weir.
Wat - Ruler of the army.
Watkin - Army ruler.
Watson - Son of Walter.
Willie - Helmet.
Wilson - Son of Will.
Wylie - Beguiling.
Wynn - Friend.
Yardley - From the enclosed meadow.
Zayne - God is gracious.
Make sure not to miss our complete list of Scottish boy names.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a unique Scottish name?
Some not-common Scottish names, blending a supernal feel with beautiful meanings, are the following:
Ailsa - From a Scottish island, meaning "elf victory".
Elspeth - Scottish version of Elizabeth, meaning "God is my oath".
Bonny - Beautiful, attractive or charming.
Cairistiona - Scottish version of Christina, meaning "follower of Christ".
Torquil - Derived from the Norse god Thor and the word for helmet, typically translated as "Thor's helmet" or "helmeted warrior".
Mhairi - Scottish form of Mary, meaning "bitter".
Lachlan - From the fjord-land or the land of lochs. Historically referring to someone from Norway, as Scotland named it to mean "Land of the Lochs".
Isla - Refers to an island or river island, and is also associated with the River Isla in Scotland.
Greer - Derived from the Scottish surname which was itself derived from the Old Norse name "Grímr", meaning "watchful" or "vigilant".
Finlay - Of Scottish Gaelic origin, meaning "fair-haired hero" or "fair warrior".
What is a classic Scottish name?
Traditional Scottish names are glutted with timeless quality and strong meanings. The following names rightly earn their place in the list of classic Scottish names:
Alexander - This name is of Greek origin and means "defender of mankind." It combines the Greek elements "alexein" (to defend) and "anēr" (man).
Andrew - Derived from the Greek name "Andreas," Andrew means "manly" or "brave."
Catherine - Catherine is a name of Greek origin and means "pure" or "clear." It derives from the Greek name "Aikaterine."
Douglas - This name has Scottish origins and signifies "dark river." It is derived from the Scottish Gaelic elements "dubh" (dark) and "glas" (river).
Elizabeth - Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin and translates to "God is my oath." It combines the elements "El," meaning God, and "sheba," meaning oath or seven.
Ewan - Ewan is a Scottish name derived from the Gaelic name "Eoghan." Ewan means "God is gracious."
Fiona - Fiona is a name of Scottish origin and means "white" or "fair." It's a relatively modern name in the context of Gaelic names.
Gordon - This name has both Scottish and English origins. It is derived from the Scottish place name "Gordon," which likely means "great hill." The "from the marshes" origin is less established.
Kenneth - Kenneth is a name of Scottish and Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic name "Cináed" and means "born of fire," or "handsome."
Margaret - Margaret is a name of Greek origin and means "pearl." Derived from the Greek word "margarita."
What are Scotsman baby names?
Scottish baby names are steeped in historical significance, abundantly embodying the uniqueness of Scottish traditions in every respect.
Here are some thoughtful Scotsman names of immense brilliance:
Angus - The name Angus means "one strength" or "one choice"
Alistair - Variant of Alasdair, meaning "defender of mankind"
Callum - Dove or peace
Duncan - Brown warrior, dark-skinned fighter
Euan - Young warrior, born of the yew tree
Fraser - Curly-haired
Hamish - Scottish form of James, meaning "supplanter"
Lachlan - From the fjord-land or land of lochs
Niall - Champion or Cloud
Ramsay - Raven island
Rory - Red king
Seamus - Scottish form of James, meaning "supplanter"
Tavish - Twin, double
Wallace - Stranger, foreigner
What is a Scottish strong name?
Immensely beautiful and endowed with a deep sense of inner strength, resilience, and fortitude, the following Scottish names are truly extraordinary:
William - As in William Wallace, the legendary Scottish patriot and hero.
Robert - Robert the Bruce, King of Scots who led Scotland during the First War of Scottish Independence against England.
Lachlan - Meaning "from the land of lakes" or "from the fjord-land."
Douglas - A historically significant Scottish clan known for its warriors and leaders.
Andrew - As in Saint Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland.
Alastair/Alasdair - Scottish forms of Alexander, meaning "defender of mankind."
Angus - From Gaelic "Aonghas", which might mean "one strength."
Duncan - Meaning "brown warrior" or "dark-skinned warrior."
Ewan/Euan - Meaning "born of the yew tree" with yew trees often symbolizing strength and longevity.
Rory - Meaning "red king."
Malcolm - A name borne by several Scottish kings, meaning "disciple of Saint Columba."
Final Thoughts
Finally, Scottish names, rich in history and meaning, stand as symbols, tokens, and badges of Scottish heritage and culture!
If that sends shivers down your spine or at least intrigues you, don't break the spell and take a look at our top Scottish baby boy names and their meanings, and our top Scottish baby girl names and their meanings.
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