Updated October 2024
Across 3 pages
of 3
Scottish
"servant of Saint John"
Whether you pronounce it Mac-cleen or Mac-clayn, this is one of the crispest and most appealing of the Mac names. The Scottish clan Maclean is one of the oldest of the Highland Scottish clans. Trivia…
"son of Gregor"
Interesting possibility for the son or grandson of a Gregory.
"son of Ewan"
Shows some promise via its connection to the growing interest in Ewan.
"settlement on infertile land"
All names ending in ville are in nowheresville.
Scottish, variation of Menzies
"tenants of a manor"
Supermodel Helena Christensen named her son in honor of jazz great Charles Mingus, opening up a whole category of jazzy possibilities: Kenton, Calloway, Ellington, Gillespie, Mulligan, Tatum, and…
Scottish surname of Norman origin
"to reside, abide"
Traditionally pronounced "ming-iz" and thus the relationship to the jazzy Mingus, Menzies is an old Scottish surname related to the more common Manners.
"son of Donald"
Between "Old MacDonald" and Big Mac allusions, this would be a risky choice.
"mouth of the river Ro"
Takes Monroe out of the Dead Presidents category and gives it new life.
"dweller near the moor"
A common family name in Scotland, occasionally used as a first.
Scottish nickname
"my pet"
Mungo is one of the most classic Scottish names but perhaps also among the most difficult names to carry. There is a St. Mungo whose proper name was Kentigern; he is the patron saint of Glasgow. It…
Muireall is a feminine Scottish Gaelic name with ancient Celtic roots. It derives from the Gaelic elements "muir" meaning "sea" and a diminutive suffix, essentially translating to "sea-bright" or…
"the great one"
A classic Gaelic name, but too hoary to be a hit here.
"son of Arthur"
The Mc and Mac surnames are asserting themselves as first names and this is one of the most popular. Though outside the U.S. Top 1000, it's among the fastest rising names for boys . And why not?…
Scottish and Irish Gaelic
"great one"
Simple ancient name of a Celtic goddess, but her friends might sound like they were asking for more.
Moireach is a feminine Scottish Gaelic name with deep Celtic roots. Pronounced approximately as 'MOY-rakh,' it's the original Gaelic form of the more familiar Moira or Moyra. The name derives from…
"son of Alasdair"
Macallister as a first name is attracting new attention as the name chosen by Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer and venture capitalist Zack Bogue for their young son. Macallister is usually heard as a…
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"
Mirren is a lively and attractive Scottish name, popular in its native country but best known outside Scotland as the surname of the English actor Dame Helen Mirren. It is thought to be a Scottish…
"smooth-browed one"
An invention of the eighteenth-century romantic poet James Macpherson, in his epic cycle about Ossian, a legendary Celtic hero. In Poland, where it was popular at the start of the 20th century, the…
Irish and Scottish, meaning unknown
The 6th century Irish saint Mirin emigrated to Scotland and now is the patron saint of both the Glasgow suburb of Paisley and the game of football. Mirren is one modern spelling; the Cornish Merryn,…