Scottish Last Names

Lesley runs a distant second to more popular sister Leslie, used for about 30 baby girls in one recent year vs. Leslie's 400+. And interestingly, no baby boys were named Lesley though about 40 were named Leslie. Once one of the most widely-used girl names starting with L, Lesley and Leslie now trail behind trendy L-starting girl names like Layla and Lily.

Basie is a fabulous jazz name to honor the Count, whose birth name was William, the influential pianist, organist, bandleader and composer who led his band for almost fifty years.

Though we usually think a name's image in contemporary culture supersedes its ancient meaning, this is a case where the definition could undermine a child's self-esteem.

Ingraham is a distinguished masculine name of Old English origin, derived from the elements 'Ing' (referring to a Norse god) and 'hām' meaning 'home' or 'homestead.' Originally a surname, Ingraham has transitioned into occasional use as a first name, particularly for families wishing to honor ancestral connections. It shares roots with the more common variants Graham and Ingram. While never achieving mainstream popularity, Ingraham appeals to parents seeking a name with historical depth and a distinguished sound. Its rarity makes it distinctive, conveying a sense of strength and tradition. The name carries an aristocratic quality while maintaining a connection to Anglo-Saxon heritage.

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.

Irvine is a masculine name derived from a Scottish place name and surname, ultimately from Celtic origins meaning 'green water' or 'fresh water,' referring to the River Irvine in Ayrshire, Scotland. As a first name, Irvine gained modest popularity in the early 20th century, particularly in Scottish communities and among those with Scottish heritage. Notable bearers include American author Irvine Welsh and basketball hall-of-famer Irvine Clifton Turner, lending the name cultural resonance. Though never reaching mainstream popularity, Irvine maintains appeal as a distinguished name with clear geographic roots. It offers parents a distinctive option with authentic Scottish heritage while avoiding the more common Celtic names. The name carries connotations of natural beauty and freshness through its water-related meaning.

MacRae -- or McRay or McCrae -- is a Scottish surname-name whose meaning is most often given as son of grace or sometimes son of luck. The hero of Lonesome Dove's last name was McCrae. A good honor name for a Ray or Rae, it can also be shortened to Mac.

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

Mccauley is a masculine name derived from an Irish and Scottish surname, originating from the Gaelic "Mac Amhalghaidh," meaning "son of Amhalghaidh" (an ancient personal name). As a first name, it emerged following the trend of using family surnames as given names, gaining modest recognition in the late 20th century. The name received a boost in visibility through actor Macaulay Culkin's fame in the 1990s, though the spelling Mccauley remains less common than Macaulay. The prefix "Mc" clearly signals its Celtic heritage, giving it a distinctive cultural connection. While never reaching widespread popularity, Mccauley appeals to parents seeking a name with strong Irish or Scottish roots and a confident, distinctive sound. It carries associations of tradition and heritage while maintaining a contemporary edge.

A stylish but as yet undiscovered surname-style name, with the familiar sounds of Lane, Mack, and and Kane.

McCartney is a widely familiar surname that is infrequently given as a first name. It first appeared on the charts for girls in 1996 but has never been given to more than 21 baby girls in a single year. McCartney meets our definition of a unisex name, although it used more often for girls.

This would make an interesting name for a boy, if it weren't for the fact that the two most well known Fergies are female.

Outmoded comic book choice.

A surname very rarely heard as a first, associated with Hall of Fame basketball star Patrick Ewing and, in the 1980s, the oil-rich Ewing family on the nighttime soap, "Dallas"

Murdoch and its more popular modern variant Murdo are traditional given names in Scotland, although they are almost exclusively encountered as surnames outside of their native country. Famous bearers include media mogul Rupert Murdoch and novelist Iris Murdoch. The Murdoc spelling was used for the fictional bassist and founder of the virtual indie band Gorillaz.

Bulky surname honoring Grandpa Henry or Saul Bellow's Rain King.

A capital place-name possibility.

Rupert Murdoch has helped make the "ch" spelling more recognizable, but this one has a long history as well. Probably works better as a middle name than a first name, even if you're a big Fox News fan.

Last name occasionally used as a first, can be seen as a Lance Armstrong athlete-hero name.