Scottish Names

Ilisa is a spelling variant that's less appealing than the original. 

Ilisa

Macenry is a rare modern blended name that combines two traditional names, Mac or Mack and Henry. It carries the strength and simplicity of Mack with the timeless charm of Henry. Macenry feels fresh and unique while still rooted in familiar sounds.

Bonus: Mac can be considered an honor name for any ancestor whose surname begins with Mac or Mc, gender immaterial.

Macenry

This obscure Margaret variation was a popular name in medieval Scotland and could make a truly distinctive, feminine choice today.

Mariota

Although it is sometimes cited as the Gaelic equivalent of English Margery or Marjorie ("pearl"), Marsaili in fact derives from the name of the Roman god of war, Mars, via the related name Marcella.
 

It has been used in Scotland since at least the early 15th century, and is encountered in a number of variant spellings, including Marsali, Mharsaili and Marsailidh. The Marsali spelling was used by American author Diana Gabaldon for a minor character in her "Outlander" series of historical novels, set in 18th century Scotland.
 
Four girls were called Marsaili in Scotland in a recent year.

Marsaili

Mc- names beyond McKenzie are catching on, with Mccoy and Mac now in the US Top 1000 for boys. Rugged but cool McRae might be another possibility, given to just five boys in a recent year. 
 
A name of Scottish origin, it comes from the Gaelic Mag Raith, meaning "son of Rath", or, more figuratively, "son of prosperity" if you consider the meaning of given name Rath.
 
Rally driver Colin McRae and singer Tate McRae are notable surname-bearers.

Mcrae

Evocative of the sand dunes at the beach, Doone is a relatively rare surname found in Scotland, Ireland and England. It was recently used with this spelling by Olympic medalist Amanda Beard; photographer Diane Arbus named her daughter Doon, inspired, yes, by walks along the sand dunes during her pregnancy.
 As a surname, it is associated with the heroine of the novel Lorna Doone.

Doone

Photographer Diane Arbus named her daughter Doon, inspired by the sand dunes she walked among when pregnant. Used this way, Doon might be considered a nature name, a refashioning of the word dune. 

But Doon might also stem from the familiar Scottish surname Dunn or Dunne, which means brown or dark, originally used for a dark-haired person.

Doon

Sìleas is a feminine Scottish Gaelic name, pronounced approximately as 'SHEE-liss' or 'SHEE-lash.' It's the Gaelic equivalent of Julia or Juliana, ultimately derived from Latin roots meaning 'youthful' or 'downy-bearded.' The name features a distinctive accent mark (grave accent) over the 'i,' signaling its authentic Gaelic pronunciation. Sìleas has remained primarily within Scottish Highland and Gaelic-speaking communities, rarely appearing outside these cultural contexts. As interest in Celtic heritage and Gaelic names has increased, Sìleas offers an authentic option for those with Scottish connections. The name carries a lyrical quality and ancient heritage while presenting pronunciation challenges for those unfamiliar with Gaelic phonetics.

Sìleas

This name originally comes from the wild and remote Shetland Islands, ultimately borrowed the Icelandic Ásla and Norse Aslaug, meaning "God consecrated" or "God promised", though it has been alternatively Angclized as Ursula ("little bear"). Although it bears a lot of similarities to popular Isla, Ella, and Elsa, and to the more recently stylish Ozzie, it remains nearly completely unknown. 
 
One notable bearer was Osla Benning, a Canadian aristocrat who worked at Bletchley Park during WWII and was the first girlfriend of Prince Philip (later the husband of Queen Elizabeth II).

Osla

Among the more masculine of the short unisex B names, Brice is less popular than Bryce for both sexes. There were 240 boys named Brice in the US in one recent year, versus only five girls -- and more than ten times that many of both genders named Bryce.

Brice

Rohan is an Indian (masculine) name derived from Sanskrit and meaning "ascension", however, it is one of those names with cross-cultural possibilities. It can also be a spelling variation of Rowan or Ruadhán and a variation of the Arabic name Ruhan.
 
Lord of the Rings fans may associate it with the place name in the novels, which means "horse country" in Tolkien's invented language, Sindarin.
 
A Top 1000 choice for boys, it is used only occasionally for girls.

Rohan

Unusual multicultural choice that may appeal to the artistically inclined. The bear meaning gives it a new trendy edge as an animal name.

Artis

Mostly used for boys, Ronald saw a (perhaps) surprising amount of use for girls in the US across the 20th century, peaking in 1967 when 100 girls were given the name (compared to more than 16440 boys, that is). In fact, from 1940 to 1975, it was given to at least 50 girls every year.
 
Derived from Old Norse to mean "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler", it has been out of the charts for girls (and on the decline for boys) since the 1990s. You'd probably be better off going with unisex Ronnie for a daughter.

Ronald

Alwyne is a feminine name of Old English origin, derived from the elements "alf" (elf) and "wine" (friend), thus meaning "elf friend" or "friend of elves." Initially a masculine name in medieval England, it has shifted toward feminine usage in contemporary contexts. The name evokes connections to English folklore and mythological traditions surrounding magical or supernatural beings. While always uncommon, Alwyne carries a delicate, ethereal quality with its soft sounds and mystical associations. The name may appeal to parents drawn to vintage English names with literary or folkloric connections. Alwyne offers uniqueness while maintaining authentic historical roots, making it an option for those seeking a name that is both distinctive and traditionally grounded rather than newly invented.

Alwyne

Ailsa is a traditional <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/472/scottish-names-for-girls">Scottish name for girls</a> related to a rocky island in the Firth of Clyde called Ailsa Craig. It might make an interesting alternative to the outdated Ashley or overly popular Ella, and could also be thought of as a relative of Elizabeth or Elsa.
 Some other Ailsa relatives: Ailis, Ailse, Ailsha, Allasa, Elsha, Elshe.

Ailsa

This anagram of Agnes is not related to that name; rather it comes from the Gaelic word seang meaning "slender".

Senga

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.

Aifric

An old nickname for Andrew, created by adding or swapping first initials, as in the case of Bobbie for Robert, Ted for Edward, and Bill for William. Also used as a surname, it made a brief appearance in the US Top 1000 at the end of the 19th-century and has been given in small numbers since then. It has been more notably used for girls, however, possibly as a spelling alternative to the Xhosa Thandie. 

Tandy

Similar in sound but fresher than Brandy or Mandy, Tandy is an upbeat and playful choice that actually has international and ancient roots. As a Zulu and Xhosa name, it may be a variation on Thandie or Thandiwe, meaning "beloved", while as an English and Scottish name, it may be considered a diminutive of Andrew, formed by the practise of adding or swapping the first initial, as in the case of Bobbie for Robert or Teddy for Edward.
 
Alternative interpretations include that it's derived from the Old Norman Tancred ("thoughtful counsel"),, from the Old English names Tancwine ("thoughtful friend") and Tatwine ("cheerful friend"), or from the English surname Tanda, a name meaning "fire", given to those who worked with hearths.

This musical choice fits right in with all the new hard-working Millers and Gardeners. It's also a Scottish demonym, referring to an inhabitant of the historic Scottish county of Fife.

Fifer

 may be familiar outside their native land, but many retain their distinctly Scottish style. While Scottish names may relate to both Ireland via their individual versions of the Gaelic language and to England via their shared heritage in the United Kingdom.

 today evidence that blend, with English names such as Emily and Jack sharing the stage with distinctly Scottish baby names such as Isla and Finlay. If you have Scottish heritage or simply love that beautiful land, you may be interested in finding a Scottish name for your baby.


Here, our full list of Scottish boys' names and Scottish girls' names, ranked by their current popularity on Nameberry.

Scottish Names with origin and popularity, including Scottish names for boys and names from Scotland for baby girls. (Page 17)