629 Gorgeous Scottish Baby Names With Meanings

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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
Lochlan	Boy	From the land of lakes
Lochland	Boy	A land of lakes or fjords; A inhabited by a foreigner
Lochlin	Unisex	From the land of lakes
Lochlyn	Boy	Warrior of the land of lakes
Lockie	Boy	Scottish nickname for people from Norway
Logan	Boy	Little hollow
Logie	Unisex	Hollow; Depression; A place name in Scotland
Lorne	Boy	The name of an early Scottish chieftain and a place name
Lundy	Boy	A person from the island grove
Lyall	Boy	Wolf

Mac	Boy	Son of
Macalister	Boy	The son of Alasdair
Macall	Boy	Son of the chief in battle
Macallan	Boy	A son of a handsome man
Macallister	Boy	Son of the defender of mankind
Macarny	Boy	The name given to the son of Artan
Macarthur	Boy	Son of Arthur
Macaulay	Boy	The son of Olaf; Son of the battle chief
Macbeth	Boy	Son of life; Righteous man
Maccaulay	Boy	Son of righteousness

Macdonald	Unisex	son of Donald
Macgregor	Boy	A son of a shepard
Macgyver	Boy	Resourceful and innovative problem solver
Machara	Girl	Plain
Macintosh	Boy	A son of the thane
Mackan	Boy	The son of
Mackay	Boy	A son of fire
Mackee	Boy	A fair one; Favored one
Mackenzie	Boy	Fair
Mackenzy	Boy	A son of a favored man

Mackie	Boy	Son of Coinneach; Name of a Scottish clan
Mackinney	Boy	God has heard me; Son of Cionaodh; Son of Coinneach; Son of Kenneth
Mackinnon	Boy	Son of the fair born
Mackland	Boy	Son of the land
Macklen	Boy	The son of Flann
Macky	Unisex	Great, Son of a handsome man or warrior
Mackynzie	Boy	The son who has a handsome father
Maclaine	Boy	Son of the lion
Maclane	Unisex	Son of the servant of Saint John
Maclaren	Boy	Son of Laren

Maclay	Boy	An amiable and youthful person
Maclean	Boy	Son of a beautiful man
Macleod	Boy	Son of an unattractive man
Maclin	Unisex	Son of Flann
Maclyn	Unisex	Son of Flann
Macmillan	Boy	Son of a bald man
Macrae	Boy	A gracious son
Macwan	Boy	A Scottish Surname
Madix	Unisex	Strength; Determination; Uniqueness
Maesie	Girl	Diminutive for Margareth; Pearl

Maezie	Girl	One who is beautiful like a pearl
Mairi	Girl	She who is bitter; Full of bitterness
Maise	Girl	Joyful, creative, lively
Maisy	Girl	Pearl
Maizey	Girl	Pearl
Maizy	Girl	Pearl
Mak	Boy	To be the son of someone
Makailyn	Girl	A virginal; Untouched young woman
Makay	Boy	A son of Kay; A Son of Fire
Makiya	Girl	A Scottish female name

Malcolm	Boy	A devotee of St. Columba
Manson	Boy	A Scottish surname, son of Mangus
Marcail	Girl	A girl pretty as a pearl
Marjary	Girl	Pearl
Massie	Unisex	A surname derived from teh clan Matheson in Scotland
Mata	Boy	Gift of Yahweh; Gift of God; Gift of the Lord; A variant of Matthew
Matheson	Boy	A bear's son
Mavel	Unisex	Strength; Beauty; Wonder
Maxwell	Boy	Dweller by the great stream
Maysie	Girl	Pearl; The Scottish diminutive of Margaret

Mccall	Unisex	Son of stranger
Mccauley	Boy	son of Amhalghaidh; Son of righteousness
Mcdonald	Unisex	Son of Donald
Mckay	Boy	A son of fire
Mckenley	Unisex	Son of the learned ruler
Mckenzie	Girl	The fair one
Mckinnon	Girl	Descendant of the fair one
Mclane	Unisex	Son of the servant
Mclaren	Unisex	Speed, luxury, power
Mclean	Unisex	Son of Gillean

Mcleod	Boy	Son of Leòd
Mctair	Boy	Son of a carpenter
Mekenzie	Unisex	Child of the wise leader
Melville	Boy	Clearance on unfruitful land; Defrayal on barren land
Meribeth	Girl	The utmost beautiful
Mhairi	Girl	The most dear one
Mhari	Girl	Darling; Much loved one
Mikenzie	Unisex	The child of a wise leader
Milligan	Unisex	A Christian ritual of shaving the head
Mingus	Boy	An estate owner; One who lives in a manor

Minnie	Girl	Determined guardian; Resolute protector
Mitchum	Boy	An angel who is closer to the God
Moira	Girl	Beloved; Drop of sea
Morag	Girl	Great
Morvin	Unisex	Renowned fighter; Mariner
Mosby	Unisex	From a farm near a mossy area
Muir	Unisex	Sea; Moor
Mungo	Boy	Dear one; Beloved
Munro	Unisex	Hill or mountain
Murdoch	Boy	Sea warrior; Protector of the sea

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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

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