While naming a baby, most parents prefer including a little of their family history to ensure the child remembers where they come from. You can give a Scottish baby name to your child if you wish to pass your heritage to the next generation. All thanks to Scotland’s eventful history, Scottish names have varied origins. Invasions and battles have been a large part of the country’s past, from the Roman Empire's arrival to the Vikings' migration from Norway and Denmark (1). After the emigration of the Celtic tribes in 900 BCE, the history of Scotland was marked by stages of unrest and turmoil. However, with the arrival of the Celts, ironwork was introduced to Scotland, helping it transition from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age (2). This transition is where the inspiration for most baby names comes from. The origins of Scottish names range from traditional Celtic, Gaelic, and Old English to influences from neighboring countries like Italy, France, and Norway. However, a hefty chunk of Scottish baby names originates from Gaelic. During the early Middle Ages, Gaelic Scotland and Ireland had shared name pools. With time, the name pools separated, but certain names no longer popular in one culture were still widely used (3). The Lowland and Highland areas have different names, depending on the regions. While Scottish boy names reflect strength and masculinity, Scottish female names are delicate and incredibly feminine. This distinction is a characteristic trait of Celtic and Gaelic names. The Scots also follow a specific naming pattern for their children. The firstborn son inherits his paternal grandfather’s name, while the firstborn daughter derives her name from her maternal grandmother. The second son takes his name from his maternal grandfather, and the second-born daughter gets hers from her paternal grandmother. The third son and daughter inherit their names from their mother and father. From the motherland of bagpipers, the Loch Ness monster, and of course, Johnnie Walker, we bring you an extensive collection of Scottish baby names with meanings. You are sure to fall in love with these gorgeous names, whether you are Scottish or not. Keep scrolling!
Name | Gender | Meaning | |
---|---|---|---|
Ivanhoe | Boy | Gift of God | |
Jack | Boy | God is gracious | |
Jaimes | Boy | A substitute; A replacement | |
Jaimey | Boy | One who is always a substitute | |
Jaimi | Boy | One who is an alternate | |
Jaimie | Boy | A man who is a stand-in | |
Jaimy | Girl | He who replaces | |
Jaine | Girl | A little girl who was a gift of God | |
James | Boy | Supplanter | |
Jamielee | Girl | Scottish name for girls | |
Jamyah | Girl | One who is replacing | |
Jannet | Girl | Scottish name for girls | |
Jarryd | Boy | Descending | |
Jaymiee | Girl | One with a beautiful face | |
Jesanie | Girl | Under the blessing of grace | |
Jessica | Girl | God beholds | |
Jickson | Boy | Variant of Jackson; God has been benevolent and supportive | |
Jock | Boy | God is gracious | |
Johnse | Boy | Gift from God | |
Johnson | Boy | Son of John; Yahweh is gracious | |
Jru | Unisex | Love | |
Jura | Unisex | Farmer; Worker of the land | |
Kadon | Boy | From the wetlands | |
Kaeden | Boy | Son of Cadan | |
Kai | Boy | Sea; Keeper of the keys; Shell; Pier | |
Kairen | Unisex | Pure; Graceful; Serene | |
Kamden | Boy | Enclosed valley; One from the crooked valley | |
Kamdyn | Girl | Valley | |
Kameron | Boy | Crooked nose | |
Keelie | Unisex | Beautiful; Graceful | |
Keith | Boy | Wood; From the battleground | |
Kellina | Girl | Strong-willed | |
Kelso | Unisex | Place of the chalk; Chalky landing place | |
Kelti | Boy | Clans of the Keltie; Callander | |
Keltie | Girl | Clans of the Keltie | |
Kelty | Unisex | Strong; Cheerful; Spirited | |
Kenina | Girl | Born from the fire | |
Kenith | Boy | Fire born; Good looking | |
Kenna | Girl | Handsome; Fire-born | |
Kennedie | Unisex | Misshapen head | |
Kenner | Boy | Energetic; Determined; Leader | |
Kensie | Unisex | Attractive; Handsome | |
Kenzy | Unisex | The fair one | |
Kilmeny | Girl | Monastery; Church | |
Kindred | Girl | Connection and unity | |
Kinnon | Boy | He who is fair-born | |
Kirk | Boy | Church | |
Kirkpatrick | Unisex | Village of the church | |
Kirstyn | Girl | Christian, follower of Christ | |
Kittrick | Unisex | Bearer of Christ; Follower of Christ | |
Klayton | Boy | Clay settlement; From the clay farm | |
Knox | Boy | A hillock; Hump | |
Knoxlee | Unisex | Unique and strong | |
Knoxley | Unisex | Round hill | |
Knoxx | Boy | From the hill | |
Kyal | Boy | Narrow; A strait | |
Kyia | Unisex | Beautiful princess | |
Kyleah | Unisex | A narrow spit of land | |
Kylo | Boy | Sky | |
Kynlee | Girl | She is of fair skin | |
Kynzlee | Girl | Unique; Modern; Feminine | |
Kyza | Unisex | Strength; Unique; Determined | |
Lachlann | Boy | Land of lakes; From the fjord land | |
Laikynn | Unisex | Modern and unique | |
Lain | Unisex | Meadow | |
Laird | Boy | Lord | |
Laire | Girl | Mare | |
Lakey | Unisex | Creative; Mysterious; Unconventional | |
Lamond | Boy | Lawyer | |
Lanark | Boy | Small Scottish town; Clear space; Glade | |
Landrum | Girl | From the green fields | |
Lanrick | Boy | A place name that refers to Lanrick Castle in Scottland | |
Lauchlan | Unisex | strong, noble, and charismatic | |
Lavaughn | Unisex | Joyful; Inventive; Charismatic | |
Laydon | Boy | Muscular; Strong male individual | |
Lean | Boy | One who serves John | |
Leana | Girl | Weary; To twine around | |
Leane | Girl | She who is in service of John | |
Leann | Girl | Servant of John | |
Leathan | Boy | River | |
Leeandra | Girl | Graceful and strong | |
Leeona | Unisex | Strong, compassionate, and determined | |
Leith | Girl | The river; Meadow | |
Lelly | Boy | A meadow; A small clearing | |
Lennix | Unisex | Wth many elm trees | |
Lennox | Boy | Place of elms | |
Lenox | Unisex | Elm grove | |
Leny | Unisex | Light; Bright | |
Leo | Boy | Lion | |
Les | Boy | A garden of holiness and sanctity | |
Leslie | Unisex | Holly garden | |
Lesly | Girl | Garden of holly | |
Levene | Girl | Place of the Flood | |
Lewis | Boy | Famous in battle | |
Ligulf | Boy | One who lives in the land of the fjords | |
Lileas | Girl | Name of a flower; Scottish variation of name Lily | |
Lilias | Girl | Oath of God | |
Lilidh | Girl | Name of a flower; Scottish variation of name Lily | |
Livingstone | Boy | A place name; A person who is from Livingstone | |
Lochellen | Girl | The one from Ellen's lake | |
Scottish baby names are loaded with history, enabling your child to always hold on to their roots. Despite the country's turbulent past, Scottish names have their unique appeal. The Scottish naming system allows families to be interlinked through their names, making it easier to trace one’s ancestry. Whether you are looking for a robust name for a boy or a delicate name for a girl, this comprehensive list of Scottish names has everything you need to find the perfect fit for your little one.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are some names that mean Princess in Scottish?
Sarah is a feminine name that means princess in Scottish, while Aurla means golden princess. If you are looking for names borne by princesses, Ada is a great choice. Ada, also known as Ada of Huntingdon, was a member of the Scottish royal house.
2. What Scottish name means freedom and peace?
The masculine name Wallace can also be connected to the meaning of freedom because of Sir William Wallace, a Scottish knight and hero who fought against England for freedom. Calum or Callum is a masculine name that means dove, a symbol of peace and freedom. Goraidh, the Scottish Gaelic variation of Godfrey, means peace of God.
3. What are some Scottish baby names that have a royal connection?
Names like Áed, Eochaid, Amlaíb, and Lulach have Scottish origins. They are also the names of Scottish monarchs over the years.
4. Who are some famous people with Scottish names?
Some famous people with Scottish names include Alexander Fleming, a physician who discovered penicillin, and Alexander Graham Bell, a famous scientist who invented the telephone. Bonnie Wright, an English actress with a Scottish name, famous for playing Ginny Weasley in the Harry Potter film series.
References
- The Birth of Scotland.
https://www.scotland.org/about-scotland/history - Ancient Scotland.
https://www.worldhistory.org/Scotland_(Ancient)/ - Quick and Easy Gaelic Names.
https://medievalscotland.org/scotnames/quickgaelicbynames/