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Awesome Scottish Names

  1. Keith

    • Origin:

      Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "wood"

    • Description:

      Strong but gentle, Keith is one of the Scottish surnames that, along with Douglas, Craig and Bruce, were considered the epitome of cool in the 1960s and early 1970s, when it was a Top 40 choice.
  2. Allen

    • Origin:

      English and Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "handsome, cheerful"

    • Description:

      Allen is the spelling of this name -- other common spellings are Alan and Allan -- most associated with the surname; it might also be the most appropriate if you're trying to steer clear of Al as a nickname, as this can easily offer you Len or Lenny as options.
  3. Kenna

    • Origin:

      Scottish, feminine form of Kenneth

    • Description:

      Kenna is the Scottish version of Kendra, both of which are feminine versions of Kenneth. Used in the TV show Reign for one of the supporting characters.
  4. Finley

    • Origin:

      Irish and Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "fair-haired hero"

    • Description:

      This was Irish name was once used exclusively for boys, and remains so in England and Wales where it's a Top 50 choice. In the US, however, celebs Jason Sehorn, Angie Harmon, and Lisa Marie Presley inspired many parents to consider this name for girls instead, after they chose it for their daughters. In fact, up until 2024, it ranked considerably higher for girls than it did for boys.
  5. Ainsley

    • Origin:

      Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "one's own meadow"

    • Description:

      While theoretically unisex, this surname name has been edging up the girls’ names list, perhaps originally as an Ashley substitute. One quality in Ainsley's favor: It's remained steadily popular -- but not TOO popular -- for more than 20 years now, ranking consistently around Number 400. That makes it stylish and familiar without showing up everywhere.
  6. Aileen

    • Origin:

      Irish variation of Helen

    • Meaning:

      "bright, shining light"

    • Description:

      Irish Aileen and Scottish Eileen may be pronounced the same way or Aileen can be pronounced with a long a at the beginning. While neither is particularly stylish, Aileen is slightly more popular and has reversed its downward slide to inch upward in the past few years, perhaps thanks to its stylish A beginning. Nicknames for Aileen include Isla, Ayla, Lee and Lena.
  7. Lorna

    • Origin:

      English literary name

    • Description:

      One of those names like Pamela, Vanessa and Wendy, Lorna was invented for a particular literary character--the protagonist of the 1869 novel Lorna Doone by R. D. Blackmore--and then perpetuated as the name of a shortbread cookie. The author claimed to have based it on the Scottish place-name, Lorn. In baby name limbo for quite some time, it was chosen by Judy Garland for her younger daughter, Lorna Luft. Lorna Simpson is an important contemporary American artist.
  8. Jessie

    • Origin:

      Anglicized form of Teasagh or diminutive of Jessica, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "behold or wealthy"

    • Description:

      Jessie has never been used as much as Jennie/Jenny, partly because it's a boys’ name as well (spelled Jesse), but it does have a friendly and unpretentious pioneer feel. In Scotland, it's found as an Anglicized form of Teasagh, itself a form of Jean, and is used as a full name. And in the rest of the world, Jessie may be short for Jessica or used on its own.
  9. Scottie

    • Origin:

      Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "Scot"

    • Description:

      A sweet, slightly old-school nickname name with a cheerful image, Scottie was originally used as a petname for someone from Scotland, or who spoke Scottish Gaelic. Stylish for boys in the 70s and 80s when the solid Scott was enjoying its US heyday, it has since shifted into a predominantly feminine name.
  10. Fenella

    • Origin:

      Celtic

    • Meaning:

      "white-shouldered one"

    • Description:

      More unusual than Fiona and more user-friendly than Fionnuala, the engaging Scottish Fenella, has been scarcely heard in this country.
  11. Lindsay

    • Origin:

      English surname

    • Meaning:

      "marshlands of Lincolnshire"

    • Description:

      In the early eighties, Lindsay, in tandem with Courtney, approached the Top 10.
  12. Sorcha

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "bright, shining"

    • Description:

      A popular Irish name virtually unknown here, but one that feels like it could follow in the footsteps of Siobhan and Saoirse. It's pronounced SOR-ka, but with a little hiccup between the 'r' and the 'c' that's difficult for non-Gaelic speakers to reproduce. Spelled (and pronounced) Sorsha, she is a major character in the movie Willow.
  13. Malina

    • Origin:

      Feminine form of Malcolm or spelling variation of Melina or Polish, Bulgarian, Serbian

    • Meaning:

      "raspberry"

    • Description:

      Malina is a synthetic-feeling name that may be a feminization of the Scottish Malcolm or a spelling twist on the Greek Melina and that also has a fruit meaning in several Eastern European languages. For all that it's a little bit of lots of things, Malina doesn't feel very much like itself.
  14. Roderick

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "famous ruler"

    • Description:

      The aristocratic--if not haughty--Roderick was nevertheless consistently in the Top 1000, reaching as high as Number 221 in 1967, when it was not uncommon to run into a Rod or a Roddy. It's at a low point right now, but we can envision it being revived as a neglected, dignified grandpa name, perhaps when Rod is no longer a potentially embarrassing nickname..
  15. Sheena

    • Origin:

      Anglicization of Sine; Irish variation of Jane

    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"

    • Description:

      Animated Gaelic name popularized by singer Sheena Easton, also brings to mind Sheena, Queen of the Jungle, the Amazonian comic book and TV series heroine. Sine is considered to be and English equivalent of Jane or Jean.
  16. Gregor

    • Origin:

      Scottish form of Gregory

    • Meaning:

      "vigilant, a watchman"

    • Description:

      Two prominent literary namesakes make Gregor a somewhat risky choice. On the highbrow side, there's Gregor Samsa, the Kafka character who woke up one day to find himself turned into a cockroach. And then there's Gregor Clegane, one of the most feared and purely evil characters in the world of Game of Thrones.
  17. Eithne

    • Origin:

      Gaelic

    • Meaning:

      "nut kernel"

    • Description:

      Pretty and soulful name of a goddess from Irish mythology and several Irish saints. Singer Enya, born Eithne Ní Bhraonáin, has made the Anglicized spelling familiar. Eithne comes from the vocabulary word "kernel", which was used as a term of praise in old bardic poetry.
  18. Arran

    • Origin:

      Scottish place name

    • Meaning:

      "ridged island"

    • Description:

      Arran Island (not to be confused with the Aran Islands in Ireland) is a large island in Scotland's Firth (or bay) of Clyde. An attractive name, long popular in Scotland, but may be confused with the Biblical Aaron elsewhere. Currently in the Scottish Top 100, it recently re-entered the charts in England and Wales too.
  19. Glenna

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "glen"

    • Description:

      Honoring a male relative. Be bold and go with Glenn.
  20. Kirsty

    • Description:

      Kirsty is a feminine name of Scottish origin, serving as a diminutive form of Christina or Kirsten. Popular throughout the United Kingdom, particularly in Scotland, this charming name peaked in popularity during the 1970s and 1980s. Kirsty means 'follower of Christ' and carries a bright, spirited quality that balances traditional roots with a contemporary feel. The name has been borne by several notable figures including Scottish swimmers Kirsty Balfour and Kirsty Coventry, giving it athletic associations. While its usage has declined since its peak decades ago, Kirsty maintains a place as a recognizable yet not overly common name that embodies Scottish heritage. Its friendly sound and manageable spelling make it accessible across English-speaking countries.