Scottish boys names
By esita
Updated Thu May 25 2023
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Names from Scotland, or used by famous Scots.
- Adair
Origin:
Scottish and IrishMeaning:
"oak tree ford"Description:
Adair has flair, the grace of a Fred Astaire. It's a Scottish surname which came from the first name Edgar.
- Alastair
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"defender of men"Description:
To Americans, a quintessential British name, introduced to the U.S. public by suave journalist/PBS Masterpiece Theater host Alastair Cook. Sometimes used in the U.S. by parents with Scottish heritage.
- Angus
Origin:
Anglicized form of Aonghus, Aonghas, GaelicMeaning:
"one strength"Description:
Angus is a traditional yet stylish choice in the UK, especially in Scotland. And it's a cool choice for US parents too, particularly those whose roots go back to Glasgow. The ancient Celtic form Oenghus has important historical overtones in Scotland, and the Gaelic form Aonghas is associated with two distinguished modern poets. In Irish folklore, Angus Og is a chieftain-lord who used his magical powers for the pleasure and prosperity of mankind--and in Irish myth, Aonghus was the god of love and youth.
- Arailt
Description:
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.
- Arran
Origin:
Scottish place nameMeaning:
"ridged island"Description:
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 Biblical Aaron elsewhere. Currently in the Scottish Top 100, it recently re-entered the charts in England and Wales too.
- Ballantine
Origin:
Scottish surnameMeaning:
"worship place"Description:
Best known to most as a brand of Whisky, Ballantine is a Scottish surname relating to the Celtic god Bal. It has potential as a off-the-beaten-track boys name that is still familiar. Ballantine is the brand name of a whiskey, a beer, and a publishing imprint.
- Blair
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"dweller on the plain"Description:
One of the first generation of cool surname names, now largely used for girls in the US, but still popular for boys in its native Scotland. A prominent association for Brits is former prime minister Tony Blair, who was leader at the time of the Iraq War.
- Boyd
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"blond"Description:
Has a bit of a hayseed image, and that oy sound is tough to work with.
- Bryce
Origin:
Variation of Brice, Scottish surnameMeaning:
"speckled, freckled"Description:
This spelling of Brice relates the name to Utah's spectacular Bryce Canyon -- and is much more popular for both genders than the original Brice. Basketball's LeBron James named his son Bryce Maximus James, and in one of his early movies, John Cusack played a Bryce in Sixteen Candles.
- Callum
Origin:
Scottish form of Columba, LatinMeaning:
"dove"Description:
Callum is a gentle, charming name of Scottish origin, that is a popular choice across the UK. In the US, it was a rare option until the late 2000s, however, since 2017 it's been rising up the ranks. Complete with easy, breezy and cool nickname Cal, it climbed more than 60 places in the US in 2024, placing it just outside the Top 150.
- Cameron
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"crooked nose"Description:
With its friendly, sensitive, and approachable feel, Cameron is a 90’s favorite that remains popular today. It has a pleasing balance of soft and strong sounds, and holds unisex appeal, thanks to Cameron Diaz. Still, eight times more boys than girls are named Cameron in the US.
- Campbell
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"crooked mouth"Description:
The seventh most common surname in Scotland, once associated only with soup, is now being considered as a last-name-first choice, accessible but unusual.
- Carlyle
Origin:
Variation of Carlisle, EnglishMeaning:
"from the walled city"Description:
Carlisle is more popular than Carlyle for both genders, and in both spellings more widely used for boys than for girls. It's a name we see on the rise in either spelling.
- Clyde
Origin:
Scottish river nameDescription:
Even though in the past Clyde may have been identified as half of the infamous outlaw duo with partner Bonnie Parker—especially after the 1967 movie in which he was played by Warren Beatty—Clyde has always had an element of jazzy cool that could overcome all the rest.
- Colin
Origin:
English diminutive of Nicholas or Irish and ScottishMeaning:
"people of victory; pup"Description:
Thanks to its dashing Anglo-Irish image — due partly to Colins Firth and Farrell — and its C-initialed two-syllable sound, Colin and its cousin Collin have enjoyed a long run of popularity, reaching as high as Number 84 in 2004.
- Conan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"little wolf"Description:
The fierce image of the Barbarian made a complete turnaround thanks to amiable talk show host O'Brien, making Conan one of the newly desirable Irish choices, a perfect alternative to Conor/Connor.
- Dashiell
Origin:
Anglicization of French surname de Chiel, meaning unknownDescription:
Dashiell, though missing from many other name sources, is among the hottest new names, chosen by such celebs as Cate Blanchett and author Helen (Bridget Jones) Fielding. With its great dash and panache, Dashiell is associated with detective writer Dashiell Hammett (born Samuel, as in Sam Spade, Dashiell being his mother's maiden name). Alice Cooper was ahead of the game: He named his son Dashiell in 1985.
- Donald
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"proud chief"Description:
Donald has been used for centuries in Scotland, where the Macdonald clan is one of the most ancient and where there have been six early Scottish kings by that name. Donald was a Top 20 name throughout most of the early twentieth century.
- Douglas
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"black water"Description:
Douglas, and more particularly its nickname, Doug, had a real romantic swagger in the 1950s and 1960s dating back to swashbuckling Douglas Fairbanks, but today is more likely to conjure up your mom's prom date. Originally a Celtic river name, it became attached to a powerful Scottish clan, renowned for their strength and courage. In its earliest incarnation, Douglas was used equally for girls and boys.
- Duncan
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"dark warrior"Description:
Duncan is jaunty, confident, and open, a Scottish royal name that's brimming with friendly charm and makes it into our golden circle of names that are neither too popular nor too strange. Popularity aside, Duncan is one of the most classic Scottish names for boys.