Scottish names are easy to find but often hard to understand. Many online lists show names without context, background, or time period. Some mix modern and older names without explanation. This article was written to solve that problem. It brings Scottish names together in one clear place and shows how language, culture, and history shape each name.
This guide is for parents choosing a baby name, writers looking for authentic Scottish names, and people with Scottish roots. It includes the best of 420 Scottish names, grouped by gender, era, and style, with meaning and context to help readers choose with confidence.
Scottish Names and Meanings
Scottish names often come from Scottish Gaelic and older Celtic language roots. Many names began as simple words linked to nature, place, faith, or personal traits. Over time, these words became given names used across Scotland. This section focuses on meaning first, so readers can understand what a name stands for before choosing it.
- Alasdair – defender of the people
- Ailsa – linked to a west coast island
- Angus – one strength
- Aileen – bright light
- Callum – dove, peace
- Catriona – pure
- Duncan – dark warrior
- Eilidh – radiant light
- Fergus – strong man
- Fiona – fair or white
- Hamish – supplanter
- Iona – sacred island name
- Kenneth – born of fire
- Isla – river name
- Lachlan – land of lakes
- Mairi – Gaelic form of Mary
- Malcolm – follower of Saint Columba
- Morag – beloved
- Niall – champion
- Rory – red king
- Seumas – Gaelic James
- Shona – God is gracious
- Tavish – twin
- Skye – island-inspired name
- Ewan – born of the yew tree
- Flora – flower
- Grant – tall or great
- Effie – well-spoken
- Innes – island
- Jean – God is gracious
- Alba – Scotland in Gaelic
- Brodie – place-based name
- Elspeth – pledged to God
- Greer – watchful
- Kirsty – follower of Christ
- Lesley – garden of holly
- Murray – coastal settlement
- Neil – champion
- Orla – golden princess
- Ross – headland
Scottish Names for Boys
Scottish names for boys come from Scottish Gaelic, family traditions, and local use across Scotland. Many names began as older Gaelic forms or place-based words and later became given names. These names reflect identity, history, and everyday life, while still fitting modern use.
- Aonghas
- Coinneach
- Domhnall
- Gilleasbuig
- Iain
- Mungo
- Padraig
- Ruairidh
- Somhairle
- Tormod
- Uilleam
- Artair
- Beathan
- Cailean
- Donnachadh
- Eachann
- Fearghas
- Griogair
- Labhran
- Maoliosa
- Neacal
- Raghnall
- Seòras
- Teàrlach
- Torcall
- Alpin
- Bhaltair
- Fionn
- Fionnlagh
- Gillebride
- Gillecriosd
- Gillies
- Iomhar
- Lonan
- Murchadh
- Ninian
- Odhran
- Ruaidhri
- Suibhne
- Uisdean
- Aulay
- Breasal
- Ciaran
- Darroch
- Eòghan
- Farquhar
- Gilchrist
- Hector
- Ingram
- Keir
- Lorn
- Magnus
- Nolan
- Oran
- Paton
- Reid
- Strachan
- Torin
- Calder
- Drystan
- Erskine
- Findlay
- Guthrie
- Hume
- Iver
- Jardine
- Knox
- Laird
- Macsen
- Nesbit
- Ogilvie
- Rollo
- Spalding
- Tait
- Wallace
- Young
- Jack
- James
- Noah
- Leo
- Oliver
- Harris
- Archie
- Theo
- Alfie
- Lucas
- Finlay
- Charlie
- Oscar
- Henry
- Ben
- Max
- Adam
- Matthew
- Daniel
- Samuel
- Thomas
- Ryan
- Ethan
- Michael
- Joseph
- Alexander
- Callan
- Rowan
- Scott
- Liam
Scottish Names for Girls
Scottish girl names come from local speech and long family use in Scotland. Many names began as older forms linked to nature, belief, or daily life. Some sound gentle and familiar, while others feel less common. This section lists Scottish female names used across different periods.
- Marsaili
- Iseabail
- Ealasaid
- Sorcha
- Sìle
- Seonag
- Peigi
- Brìghde
- Beitris
- Aithne
- Kenna
- Maisie
- Rhona
- Sheena
- Morna
- Lilias
- Isobel
- Annag
- Euna
- Eithrig
- Fionnuala
- Lileas
- Lorna
- Mairghread
- Morven
- Nairna
- Oighrig
- Rowena
- Senga
- Yvaine
- Bethoc
- Cairistìona
- Fenella
- Gormlaith
- Ishbel
- Lena
- Mairead
- Maura
- Myrna
- Nessa
- Raghnailt
- Rona
- Seonaid
- Sheila
- Sìne
- Teàrlag
- Una
- Aila
- Eithne
- Deirdre
- Ciorstaidh
- Eithneag
- Fionnghal
- Mòragan
- Nigheanag
- Ragnhild
- Sòlas
- Treasa
- Ula
- Eimhear
- Aibhlin
- Caoimhe
- Donella
- Eilbhe
- Finola
- Grelda
- Iola
- Kyndra
- Lile
- Moina
- Neala
- Oona
- Rìona
- Sorrel
- Tait
- Vaila
- Wilma
- Ysolda
- Olivia
- Amelia
- Emily
- Ava
- Ella
- Grace
- Freya
- Charlotte
- Millie
- Evie
- Sophie
- Lucy
- Aria
- Isla-May
- Ivy
- Ruby
- Jessica
- Hannah
- Anna
- Poppy
- Mia
- Daisy
- Rose
- Zara
- Bonnie
- Erin
- Katie
- Laura
- Rebecca
- Megan
Unique and Rare Scottish Names
Some Scottish names appear only in small regions, old parish records, or older Gaelic speech. These names come from rare Gaelic forms, local usage, and traditions that never became widespread. They feel different from common lists, but still belong firmly to Scottish culture
- Aithbhreac
- Beileag
- Ciorstag
- Dàibhidh
- Earbha
- Fhionnlaigh
- Gormshuil
- Iseabalta
- Laoghaire
- Màili
- Nèillidh
- Oighrigheag
- Pàdraigin
- Rònaidh
- Sìleas
- Tòmasan
- Uisdeanag
- Bearnas
- Catan
- Deòrsa
- Eònaig
- Fionnag
- Griogar
- Iainn
- Lodaidh
- Murchan
- Neillidh
- Pàlina
- Ragnail
- Sìneag
- Tormaid
- Uilleag
- Bhaltina
- Coinneag
- Donnina
- Ealbh
- Fionnbharr
- Gilleag
- Iomhair
- Liosag
- Maireag
- Neillina
- Odhrain
- Pàdraic
- Ruairina
- Sòlasag
- Torra
- Uisdeina
- Beagan
Old Scottish Names from the 1800s
In 19th-century Scotland, names were commonly taken from family lines, church use, and local records. Many children were named after relatives or well-known figures in their community. These names were ordinary at the time but sound old today. This section shows how Scottish names were used during the 1800s, before modern naming habits became common.
Old Scottish Male Names (1800s)
- Archibald
- Ebenezer
- Dugald
- Alastair
- Roderick
- Murdoch
- Gilbert
- Alexander
- Barnabas
- Ewart
- Finlay
- Godfrey
- Hector
- Irvine
- Jock
- Laurence
- Manford
- Norval
- Oswald
- Patrick
- Quigley
- Ronald
- Silas
- Thaddeus
- Uriah
- Wallace
- Xenophon
- Yorick
- Zachary
- Benedict
Old Scottish Female Names (1800s)
- Agnes
- Betsy
- Christiana
- Dorcas
- Euphemia
- Flora
- Georgina
- Henrietta
- Isobella
- Janet
- Kezia
- Louisa
- Margaret
- Nancy
- Olive
- Prudence
- Robina
- Susannah
- Thomasina
- Winifred
Medieval Scottish Names
This list includes Scottish male names used during the medieval period. These names appear in records connected to kings, warriors, nobles, and early clan leaders. They reflect naming styles used in Scotland before modern spelling and usage became common.
- Aed
- Amlaíb
- Bridei
- Cathal
- Cellach
- Causantín
- Colmán
- Congal
- Congalach
- Dubhghall
- Dubhthach
- Drest
- Eochaid
- Finguine
- Fothad
- Gartnait
- Ketill
- Máel Brigte
- Máel Dúin
- Máel Ísu
- Máel Muire
- Máel Snechtai
- Nechtan
- Onuist
- Talorc
- Torfinn
- Uuen
- Sigurd
- Harald
- Áed Find
- Cathróe
- Gilla Pátraic
- Gilla Mo Chonna
- Gilla Coemgáin
- Fergal
- Cenn Faelad
- Muiredach
- Artgal
- Rognvald
Conclusion
This brings us to the end of our Scottish names article at namesquill.com. We created this guide to provide readers with a single, clear resource for understanding Scottish names, their use over time, and what they represent. Instead of short or confusing lists, this article focused on meaning, history, and real naming patterns.
If you found this guide helpful, feel free to share it with others who are searching for Scottish names. You can also leave a comment and let us know which names stood out to you or which you are considering. Your feedback helps us improve and develop better name guides going forward.