Illustration: MomJunction Design Team
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Caspen |  |  Unisex | Treasurer; A character in his Chronicles of Narnia series |
| Cathan | | Unisex | Battle |
| Caulder | |  Boy | Rocky water; Stream |
| Cauley | |  Girl | Like a relic |
| Cennet | | Unisex | Paradise |
| Chambers | | Boy | The one who is a servant |
| Charise | | Girl | Graceful; Beloved |
| Charlotte | | Girl | Free person; Petite |
| Chisholm | | Boy | Soft like cheese |
| Chism | | Unisex | Child of Christ; Christian |
| Christie | | Boy | Christianity; Follower of Christ |
| Christy | | Boy | Christian |
| Chrystal | | Boy | Crystal; A transparent clear solid |
| Clarion | | Boy | The name of a king in Arthurian Legends |
| Clarions | | Boy | Derived from the name of a king in the Arthurian Legends |
| Clellan | | Boy | Son of a follower of a Saint named Fillan |
| Clyden | | Unisex | Strong and intelligent |
| Coire | | Boy | A pool that is filled with froth or bubbles |
| Colen | | Boy | Triumph; Win; Victory; To defeat the opponent |
| Colin | | Boy | Victory of the people |
| Colina | | Girl | A little dog; a pup; a young dog |
| Collie | | Unisex | A breed of dog, usually with a long coat and often used for herding |
| Cora | | Girl | Maiden; Daughter; Virtous |
| Corson | | Unisex | Raven; Crow |
| Crichton | | Boy | Surname, possibly of Scottish origin |
| Cuddy | | Boy | A donkey |
| Cuithbeart | | Boy | A famous and clever person |
| Curra | | Boy | Spear; Hero |
| Curran | | Boy | A dagger |
| Cyle | | Boy | Innovative; Independent; Charismatic |
| Cyndeyrn | | Boy | A well- renowned Lord |
| Dallace | | Boy | The one from Dallas |
| Dallas | | Boy | From valley meadows; Valley house |
| Dalles | | Unisex | One from the meadow |
| Dallin | | Unisex | Belonging to the meadow |
| Dallis | | Girl | One from the Dales |
| Dalziel | | Unisex | Your share; Portion |
| Darro | | Boy | The hard one |
| Darron | | Boy | Son of Oak tree |
| Darrow | | Boy | Brave hearted |
| Dave | | Boy | A happy and merry person |
| Daviana | | Girl | A beloved person who is everyone's favourite |
| Davida | | Girl | Beloved person |
| Davina | | Girl | Beloved |
| Davita | | Girl | A unique cherished individual |
| Davonna | | Girl | A leader who shows the way and guides |
| Dawe | | Boy | A lucky and beloved individual |
| Dearil | | Boy | Call of death; red haired |
| Dempster | | Boy | A shrine; a judge of character |
| Derly | | Unisex | From the deer meadow |
| Develyn | | Unisex | Charming and creative |
| Devron | | Boy | Strong, brave |
| Dewayne | | Boy | Dark; Swarthy |
| Diarmad | | Boy | Mature; Free men |
| Dickenson | | Boy | Patronymic name; a beloved individual |
| Dickson | | Boy | Strong ruler; A leader |
| Dierdre | | Boy | Daughter |
| Dixon | | Boy | Richard's son; A courageous fighter |
| Doak | | Boy | A person who is quiet and clever with a systematic nature and an inventive mind |
| Dobbin | | Boy | An ancient nickname |
| Dolina | | Girl | Ruler of the world |
| Domhnall | | Boy | Gealic form of Donald |
| Donaldina | | Girl | World Ruler; a great leader |
| Donell | | Boy | Ruler |
| Donella | | Girl | Elfin Girl who has Dark haired |
| Donnell | | Boy | A detailed person; a great chief |
| Dougal | | Boy | A black-colored stranger; Nurturing |
| Doughlas | | Boy | A stream of dark river |
| Dougie | | Boy | A dark river or a dark stream of water |
| Douglas | | Boy | Dark water |
| Douglass | | Boy | A dark river or a stream |
| Dove | | Boy | Peace |
| Dow | | Boy | A dark-haired individual; Has a happy heart |
| Druman | | Boy | Druid's Mountain; A variant of the name Drummond |
| Drummond | | Boy | One who is at the ridge |
| Duglas | | Boy | Dark Stream; River |
| Dun | | Boy | Brown-skinned soldier; Fort |
| Dunbar | | Unisex | Castle headland; Fortified hill |
| Dundee | | Unisex | Fort of Fire |
| Eachann | | Boy | Horse-Lover |
| Eain | | Unisex | Bird |
| Ear | | Boy | From the East |
| Eara | | Girl | From the East |
| Edan | | Boy | Little fire; Fiery one |
| Edborough | | Boy | A prosperous administrator |
| Edine | | Girl | One who came from Edinburgh |
| Edrina | | Girl | Noble and strong |
| Edzel | | Unisex | Noble, gracious, kind |
| Eideard | | Boy | They are the one who rule the universe |
| Eisla | | Girl | Devoted to God; Name of a river; A fairy rock |
| Ej | | Unisex | Abbreviation of first and middle names; J usually stands for Junior |
| Elgie | | Unisex | Elf's spear, expressing strength and mythical charisma |
| Elick | | Unisex | Jehovah is God; The Lord is my God |
| Ella | | Girl | Beautiful light; Goddess |
| Ellar | | Boy | A stable and loving individual; Monastey's steward |
| Elsea | | Girl | One who is devoted to God; One who is pledged to God |
| Elsie | | Girl | Pledged to God |
| Elspet | | Girl | Someone who has been chosen by God; Someone who is devoted to God |
| Elspeth | | Girl | God is my oath or chosen by god |
| Emer | | Girl | Swift |
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/
