Updated September 2026
Across 5 pages
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Scottish variation of Elizabeth
"pledged to God"
Elspeth is one of those names that never quite made it out of the British Isles--particularly Scotland, but possesses a winningly childlike charm. Elspeth was used by Sir Walter Scott for several of…
Scottish
"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…
Scottish form of Gregory
"vigilant, a watchman"
Two prominent literary namesakes make Gregor a somewhat risky choice. On the highbrow side, there's Gregor Samsa, the Kafka character who woke up one day to find himself turned into a cockroach. And…
Gaelic form of Eleanor
Long popular in Scotland, this attractive name is strictly-speaking the Gaelic version of Eleanor, but is also often considered part of the Helen family of names. After the Normans introduced it into…
Rudi is a masculine name commonly used as a diminutive of Rudolf, Rudolph, or Rudiger in German-speaking regions. The name derives from Germanic elements meaning 'fame' and 'wolf'. Rudi offers a…
Diminutive of Georgia or Jorja
The British love nickname-names, and Jorgie is one of those cute baby names for girls among the Top 1000 in the UK but rarely found in the US. It's cute in a retro way -- think the song and movie…
Diminutive of Hugh, English
"mind, interllect"
Clunky and distinctive in appearance but charming and gentle in sound, Hughie might appeal to fans of Rudy, Louie, and Augie. Ultimately derived from the Germanic Hugo, it has cool and thoughtful…
Nieve is a delicate feminine name derived from the Spanish word for 'snow,' reflecting purity and pristine beauty. In Irish contexts, it's sometimes used as an anglicized spelling of Niamh…
Findlay is a masculine name of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic 'Fionnlagh,' combining elements meaning 'fair' or 'white' and 'warrior' or 'hero.' Historically used as both a surname and…
Scottish place name
"ridged island"
Arran Island (not to be confused with the Aran Islands in Ireland) is a large island in Scotland's Firth (or bay) of Clyde. An attractive name, long popular in Scotland, but may be confused with the…
Scottish variation of Mary
"bitter"
Why does Mairi (rhymes with Harry) seem so much cooler than Mary? This Irish form of Mary was not used before the seventeenth century, as it was considered too sacred. The vocative case of the name,…
Scottish form of Marcella
"warlike"
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.…
Irish
"bright"
Anglicized variant of Niamh.
"coast of the Gaels"
A Scottish place name and surname, originally called Earre Ghàidheal (or "coast of the Gaels"), owing to the fact it was one of the first places Irish settles established themselves in Scotland. Also…
"the little bay"
A pretty town in Scotland, named for its perfect horseshoe-shaped bay.
"mouth of the river Ro"
Takes Monroe out of the Dead Presidents category and gives it new life.
"elm or blaze"
Lomond is one of those names that exists mainly in one place in the world, Scotland, thanks to its famous Loch Lomond (with its bonnie bonnie banks). Lomond ranks among the Top 1000 baby names for…
"pup, cub"
This is the original Gaelic spelling of the Anglicized Colin -- more authentic, yes, but could make your American child's life unnecessarily complicated.
"mound of rocks"
In Scotland, a cairn is a heap of stones placed as a memorial or to support a beacon. This gives the name a rugged, timeless quality that is very appealing at present.
"ancestor's descendant"
An Anglicization of Amhlaidh, the Scottish Gaelic form of the Scandinavian Olaf, Aulay is uniquely popular in Scotland where a recent year saw it in the Top 300, ranking alongside Kit, Greyson,…