Scottish Names
- Burns
Origin:
Scottish and EnglishMeaning:
"from the burnt house"Description:
The final s turns this name into a manservant.
- Glasgow
Origin:
Scottish place-nameDescription:
Prettier: the growing-in-popularity Paisley, a suburb of Glasgow, or even Scotland itself, used as a middle name by Kourtney Kardashian.
- Seumas
Origin:
Variation of Seamus, IrishMeaning:
"supplanter"Description:
Unusual and unappealing.
- Mcewan
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"son of Ewan"Description:
Shows some promise via its connection to the growing interest in Ewan.
- Gilleabart
Description:
Gilleabart is a masculine name with Scottish Gaelic origins, representing a Gaelic form of Gilbert. The first element 'gille' means 'servant of' or 'devoted to,' a common prefix in many Gaelic names. The second element relates to 'bright pledge' or 'shining hostage,' creating a name that historically conveyed dedication and honor. Extremely rare in modern usage, Gilleabart preserves ancient Celtic linguistic traditions. It would have been more common in medieval Scotland, particularly in Highland regions where Gaelic was the primary language. The name carries a strong historical resonance and connection to Scottish heritage. For contemporary parents, Gilleabart offers an uncommonly distinctive option with authentic cultural roots, though its pronunciation might present challenges outside Gaelic-speaking communities.
- Rabbie
Description:
Rabbie is a diminutive form of the name Robert, predominantly used in Scotland. It gained particular recognition through the famous Scottish poet Robert Burns, who was affectionately known as 'Rabbie Burns.' The name has deep Germanic origins, derived from 'hrōd' meaning 'fame' and 'berht' meaning 'bright' or 'famous.' While not particularly common as a formal given name, Rabbie maintains cultural significance in Scottish communities and among those celebrating Scottish heritage. It carries a warm, friendly quality and represents a connection to Scottish cultural identity and literary history.
- Galloway
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"stranger"Description:
A rare but distinguished Scottish name. The original Galloway is a region in south-west Scotland, and the meaning ("stranger-Gaels") refers to its mixed population of Scandinavian and Gaelic-speaking people. It later became a surname and a sturdy breed of cattle. Galloway could be a fresh addition to better-known Scottish places like Murray and Ross.
- Janneth
Description:
Janneth is a feminine name that represents a variation of Janet, which itself derives from the medieval diminutive of Jane. Ultimately tracing back to the Hebrew name Yochanan meaning "God is gracious," Janneth carries this beautiful sentiment while offering a distinctive spelling. The additional 'h' at the end gives the name a softer, more elaborate feel. While not among the most common names in English-speaking countries, Janneth has maintained a steady presence, particularly in Hispanic communities. The name combines elegance with a touch of uniqueness, allowing bearers to stand out while still having a recognizable, melodic name that crosses cultural boundaries.
- Philbin
Description:
Philbin is a masculine name of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic 'Féilbhín' or 'Failbhe,' meaning 'wolf' or 'little wolf.' This surname-turned-first-name gained recognition in America largely through television personality Regis Philbin, who brought it to public attention during his long career in entertainment. While not commonly used as a first name, Philbin carries a distinctive sound and strong cultural connection to Irish heritage. It conveys qualities of loyalty, strength, and charisma. The name remains rare as a given name, making it a unique choice that stands out while still being recognizable, particularly among those familiar with Irish naming traditions or media personalities.
- Aimil
Description:
Aimil is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a variant of Amelia, which derives from Germanic roots meaning 'work' or 'industrious.' Alternatively, it could be related to the Gaelic name Eimile or serve as a feminine form of Emil, which comes from the Roman family name Aemilius, meaning 'rival' or 'emulating.' This distinctive spelling gives the name a delicate, ethereal quality while maintaining familiar sounds. Aimil remains quite uncommon, making it appealing to parents seeking a rare name with historical connections. Its brief, melodic sound fits contemporary naming trends that favor short, vowel-rich names while still carrying historical depth and cross-cultural resonance.
- Ailbert
Description:
Ailbert is a masculine name with Germanic origins, derived from elements meaning 'noble' ('adal') and 'bright' or 'famous' ('beraht'). It's a variant of Albert, which became widespread throughout Europe after being introduced to England by the Normans. Ailbert has a distinctly medieval feel, evoking images of ancient nobility and chivalric tradition. While Albert became extremely popular, particularly after Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha married Queen Victoria, the Ailbert variant remained uncommon. The name carries connotations of wisdom and dignity, qualities associated with notable bearers of related forms like Albert Einstein. This spelling variation offers a way to honor family traditions connected to Albert while providing a more distinctive alternative that maintains the historical gravitas of the original.
- Dundee
Origin:
Scottish place-nameDescription:
A city and river in Scotland; this is upbeat and cheery, but doesn't seem that appropriate as a name.
- Aifric
Description:
Aifric is a traditional Irish feminine name with ancient Gaelic roots. The name means 'pleasant' or 'agreeable' and is derived from the elements 'aoibh' (beauty, pleasantness) and 'ric' (ruler). In Irish mythology and history, Aifric appears in several traditional tales. While relatively uncommon outside Ireland, the name has maintained steady usage within Ireland as families seek to preserve cultural heritage. Its pronunciation (EE-frik or AY-frik) may present challenges internationally, but its distinctive character appeals to parents looking for an authentic Irish name with historical depth. In modern times, Aifric has seen modest revival as interest in Celtic names has increased.
- Uilleam
Origin:
Scottish variation of WilliamDescription:
Most Americans would take the easy way out and spell it Willem, as in artist de Kooning and actor Dafoe.
- Ronson
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"son of Ronald"Description:
Stronger and fresher than the original, though it may provoke the question, "Got a light?"
- Earvin
Origin:
Spelling variation of IrvinDescription:
Earvin gained NBA fame as the birth name of Magic Johnson. If your name was Earvin, you'd probably change it to Magic too.
- Pilbin
Description:
Pilbin is an extremely rare masculine name with obscure origins. It may have evolved as a surname before transitioning to occasional use as a first name, following the pattern of many surnames that have made this shift. The name potentially has Irish or English roots, possibly related to ancient Celtic naming traditions or geographic locations. As a first name, Pilbin has remained exceedingly uncommon, barely registering in naming statistics across English-speaking countries. This rarity gives it a distinctive quality that might appeal to parents seeking a truly unique option. The name has a strong, somewhat traditional sound despite its obscurity. With its uncommon nature, Pilbin offers the benefit of individuality while still having a pronounceable, accessible structure.
- Mórag
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"the great one"Description:
A classic Gaelic name, but too hoary to be a hit here.
- Raibeartag
Description:
Raibeartag is a masculine name from Scottish Gaelic tradition, serving as the Gaelic form of Robert. The name derives from Germanic elements meaning 'bright fame' or 'famous brilliance.' Raibeartag represents the preservation of traditional Gaelic naming practices amid the revival of interest in Celtic heritage and language. While extremely rare even within Scotland, the name holds cultural significance for those connected to Gaelic traditions and Scottish Highland heritage. The distinctive spelling and pronunciation reflect the phonetic patterns of Gaelic, making it challenging but meaningful for those outside the culture. Raibeartag embodies cultural preservation and ancestral connections for families with Scottish Gaelic roots.
- Pollock
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"pit"Description:
If used at all these days, it would be to honor artist Jackson, whose first name would be far preferable.