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Cameron

KAM-run
Scottish
"crooked nose"
Sophie Kihm
By Sophie Kihm
Updated Tue Sep 30 2025

Cameron Origin and Meaning

The name Cameron is a boy's name of Scottish origin meaning "crooked nose".

With its friendly, sensitive, and approachable feel, Cameron is a 90’s favorite that remains popular today. It has a pleasing balance of soft and strong sounds, and holds unisex appeal, thanks to Cameron Diaz. Still, eight times more boys than girls are named Cameron in the US.

Derived from a Scottish surname which in turn comes from the name of a West Highland Clan, Cameron us made up of the Gaelic elements cam and sròn meaning "crooked nose". Not the best of meanings, perhaps, but it is likely to have originated from a nickname given to an 8th century member of the clan. Such nicknames were common in Highland culture, and it lends the name a rugged, outdoorsy feel.

If you were hoping for a different meaning, there is also the theory that the second part of the name may have come from the Gaelic abhainn meaning "river" or the Welsh bryn meaning "hill". In this case, Cameron would be drawn from a village and a district in Fife, Scotland, of the same name.

Used sporadically in the early half of the 20th century, Cameron became a popular choice in Scotland from the 50’s onwards. Shortly afterward, it began to accelerate up the US charts, really taking off in the 90’s, and peaking at #31 in the year 2000.

Its popularity spread to Australia, England and Wales, Canada, and to France too, where it remained a top choice into the early 2010’s. Since then, it has been on a mostly downwards trajectory, though it is still given to 5000 boys – and 600 girls – in the US every year.

Many will associate it with Cameron Frye, the anxious, slightly awkward, but good-hearted best friend in the movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Actress Cameron Diaz is another memorable namesake, whose fame popularized Cameron as an option for girls too.

A favorite in the sporting world, the name is worn by American footballer Cameron Jerell Newton, tennis player Cameron Norrie, and Olympic swimmer Cameron McEvoy, just to list a few.

These sporty associations help to give Cameron an energetic vibe to complements its soft and calmer sounds, giving it a more "all-rounder" feel.

Enjoy Cameron, but feeling put off by its meaning or popularity? You could try Camden, Caspian, Callum, Callahan, Cormack, or Cambell instead.

# 66 in the US

Cameron Rank in US Top 1000

# 34 on Nameberry

Cameron Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

Popularity of the name Cameron

20 Names Similar to Cameron

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Famous People Named Cameron

  • Cameron Bruce Crowe
    American film director and producer
  • Cameron Mitchell (born Cameron McDowell Mitzel)
    American actor
  • Cameron "Cam" McConville
    Australian racing driver
  • Cameron Jerrell "Cam" Newton
    American football player
  • Cameron Phillips Heyward
    American football player
  • (Derek) Cameron Wake
    American football player
  • Cameron Thomaz aka Wiz Khalifa
    American rapper
  • Cameron Anthony Mackintosh
    British film producer
  • Cameron Ezike Giles aka Cam'ron
    American rapper
  • Cameron Matthew Followill
    musician with American band Kings of Leon
  • Cameron John "CJ" Adams
    American actor
  • Cameron Riley Monaghan
    American actor
  • Cameron Alexander Dallas
    American Viner and actor
  • Cameron van der Burgh
    South African swimmer
  • Cameron McEvoy
    Australian swimmer
  • Cameron Morrell Douglas
    American actor, son of actor Michael Douglas
  • Cameron Marley Buffett
    son of singer Jimmy Buffett
  • Cameron Nino
    son of model and beauty queen Kimmarie Johnson
  • Cameron Hallyday (b. 2004)
    son of singer and racing driver David Hallyday
  • Cameron Kade Michaels
    son of wrestler Shawn Michaels
  • Cameron Lincoln Cotter (b. 2016)
    son of singers Melanie Fiona and Jared Cotter
  • Cole Cameron Leinart (b. 2006)
    son of NFL player Matt Leinart
  • James Cameron
    Canadian director
  • Kirk Cameron
    American actor
  • Cameron Boyce
    American Actor
  • Cameron Britton
    Canadian Actor

The name Cameron in Pop Culture

  • Cameron Frye
    character in movie "Ferris Bueller's Day Off"
  • Cameron Turner
    main character on TV's "Alien Dawn"
  • Cameron Hicks
    character on TV's "Alphas"
  • Cameron James
    character in movie "10 things I hate about You"
  • Cameron Bledsoe
    character on TV's "Switched at Birth"
  • Cameron Parks
    character on TV's "A.N.T. Farm"
  • Cameron Black
    main character on TV’s “Deception”
  • Cameron Tucker
    character on TV's "Modern Family"
  • Dr. David Cameron
    character on TV's "Queer as Folk"
  • Cameron
    character on TV's "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles"
  • Cameron Mitchell
    character on TV's "Stargate SG,1"
  • Cameron Marsh
    character on TV's "Evermoor"
  • Cameron Campbell
    character in the Rooster Teeth animated series "Camp Camp"

The name Cameron in Nameberry Blog Posts