Scottish Names

Sometimes heard in Scotland, where its heyday was in the times of Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott, this feminization of William was notably borne by Williamina Fleming, an astronomer who is famous for discovering the Horsehead Nebula, and for devising a system of classifying stars based on the amount of hydrogen they emit. 
 
This form last ranked in Scotland back in the 1950s, while elsewhere, the Germanic Wilhelmina or short form Willa are preferred.

Williamina

Also spelled Fyfe, this zippy sounding name would make a great middle name choice for music lovers or those with Scottish roots. The name has a double meaning: it is both a Scottish place name, likely derived from fiamh meaning "path", and also the name of an instrument, which takes its name from the German Pfeife and the French fifre meaning "pipe".

Fife

Farquhar has a great meaning, but unfortunate potential for mispronunciation. It was originally a given name in the Scottish highlands, but is more commonly known today as a surname. It's occasionally given to children in Scotland, but rarely if ever elsewhere. (And no, the character in Shrek was Lord Farquaad.)

Farquhar

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. 

Galloway

Gerlad appears to be a variant spelling of Gerald, a traditional masculine name with Germanic origins. The classic Gerald derives from elements meaning 'spear' and 'rule' or 'power,' conveying strength and leadership. This alternate spelling might be the result of a typographic error that persisted or a deliberate variation to make the name distinctive. While the standard Gerald has enjoyed consistent popularity throughout the 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries, the Gerlad variant remains extremely uncommon. The name maintains the strong, classic feel of Gerald with its slightly modified form. Its rarity makes it a unique choice while still connecting to the rich history of the traditional name.

Gerlad

King Joffrey Baratheon, the petulant biological son of siblings Cersei and Jaime Lannisters, is perhaps the most notorious villain in the entire Game of Thrones canon. His name is practically a byword for sadism among fans of the show and George R.R. Martin's books. As such, we think it's probably a name best avoided IRL.

Joffrey

Gibby is a playful diminutive that typically derives from Gilbert or Gibson. The name Gilbert comes from Germanic origins meaning 'bright pledge' or 'shining hostage,' while Gibson was originally a patronymic surname meaning 'son of Gilbert.' Gibby emerged as an affectionate nickname before occasionally being used as an independent given name. It has a friendly, approachable quality with a distinctly casual feel. The name carries associations with youthful energy and cheerfulness. While never achieving mainstream popularity as a formal name, Gibby has maintained steady usage in English-speaking countries, particularly among families seeking a name with an upbeat, informal character. Notable cultural references include characters in television shows that have helped maintain its recognition.

Gibby

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.

Gilleabart

Sometimes heard as a first name in Scotland, particularly among the Campbell clan. 

Gillespie

An undiscovered place-name with an appealing o-sound ending. 

Glasgow

For towheads with ties to Scotland -- in theory, anyway. 

Fairbairn

Rarely used un-Gaelic-sounding Scottish name with literary associations to Erskine Caldwell, author of Tobacco Road and God's Little Acre.

Erskine

Earvin gained NBA fame as the birth name of Magic Johnson.  If your name was Earvin, you'd probably change it to Magic too.

Earvin

Authentic Gaelic name with pronunciation problems in the US.  In Scotland Eachann has been anglicized as Hector, not because of its sound, but because the Trojan hero Hector had the reputation as a mighty horseman.

Eachann

Dunn

While this has a distinguished male namesake -- astronomer Edmund Halley and his comet -- it still strays too close to the superpopular feminine Hailey family to work for some parents for a boy. Fewer than five baby boys were given the name last year, but that could change as formerly-female names become more acceptable for boys.

Halley

Attractive placename/surname with a somewhat aristocratic feel.

Dunham

Harailt is a masculine name of Celtic origin, likely derived from the Old Irish name Harold or Harald. These names stem from the Old Norse Haraldr, meaning "army ruler" or "war leader." The spelling Harailt represents a Gaelic variant that emerged primarily in Ireland and Scotland. While uncommon in mainstream usage, this name carries historical significance in Celtic regions where traditional naming patterns have been preserved through generations. Harailt conveys strength and leadership qualities associated with its warrior etymology. The name remains relatively rare in contemporary use, appealing to parents with Celtic heritage or those seeking a distinctive name with historical roots.

Harailt

Arailt is a masculine name of Scottish Gaelic origin, representing a Gaelicized form of the Norse name Harald or Harold. The name carries significant historical weight, as it was borne by several Norse and Viking leaders throughout history. Etymologically, it combines elements meaning 'army' and 'ruler' or 'power,' reflecting the warrior culture of medieval Scandinavia. Arailt emerged through cultural exchange between Norse settlers and indigenous Gaelic populations in Scotland and Ireland. This rare name maintains a strong, distinctive sound that evokes ancient Celtic and Viking heritage. Quite uncommon in contemporary use, Arailt appeals to parents with Scottish Highland connections or those seeking a name with historical depth and uniqueness. The name projects qualities of leadership, strength, and noble heritage while remaining virtually unknown in mainstream naming practices.

Arailt

Distinguished actor Hume Cronyn (who shared his father's name) put this unusual choice in the lexicon. 

Hume

 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 18)