Scottish Baby Names
Explore 288 scottish names, each with its own meaning, history, and pronunciation. Find one that carries the stories you want your child to grow up with.
Scottish names split into two families: Scots names (Hamish, Callum, Fraser, Cameron) that read naturally in English, and Scottish Gaelic names (Eilidh, Iseabail, Mhairi) that follow Gaelic spelling rules. Both carry deep Highland and island heritage.
A short history
Scottish naming is built on the same Celtic substrate as Irish, overlaid with Old Norse (from the Norse settlements in the Hebrides) and Anglo-Scots influences. Many Scottish clan names became given names over time, and the kilted roll-call of Hamish, Fraser, Cameron, Ross, Keith and Douglas all started as family names.
Naming traditions
The Scottish naming pattern traditionally followed Irish conventions (eldest son named for paternal grandfather), though this has relaxed in recent generations. Clan names often travelled from surname to given name in the 19th century.
Sound and style
Scottish Gaelic shares many spelling conventions with Irish, but pronunciation can differ. 'Eilidh' reads as AY-lee (not EE-lid or EYE-lid). 'Mhairi' reads as VAH-ree. Many Scottish names are drawn directly from Scottish islands (Iona, Islay, Arran, Skye), which gives them a quiet geographic warmth.
Christy
“Follower of Christ”
Christy is a Scottish diminutive used for both boys and girls, derived from Christopher meaning bearer of Christ, and Christina meaning follower of Christ. In Scotland, Christy has historically been applied to boys as naturally as to girls, making it one of the older gender-neutral names in the British Isles. It carries a warm, familiar quality that sits between formal and informal.
Ciorstag
“Follower of Christ”
Ciorstag is the Scottish Gaelic form of Kirsty, which itself derives from Christina, meaning follower of Christ or anointed one. The name is built ultimately on the Greek Christos, the anointed one. As a Gaelic adaptation, Ciorstag preserves the full phonology of Scottish Gaelic and represents a deeply rooted Highland form of a name that has been used in Scotland for centuries. It is a rare and authentic choice that connects a child to the Gaelic-speaking heritage of the Scottish Highlands and Islands.
Clementina
“Merciful, gentle”
Clementina is the elaborated Latinate feminine form of Clement, derived from the Latin clemens meaning merciful, mild, or gentle. In Scotland the name carries particular historical resonance through Princess Clementina Sobieska, the Polish-born wife of James Francis Edward Stuart, the Old Pretender, and mother of Charles Edward Stuart, known as Bonnie Prince Charlie. The name thus acquired strong Jacobite associations in the eighteenth century.
Clyde
“Warm, cleansing”
Clyde takes its name from the River Clyde, Scotland's most celebrated waterway and the heartbeat of Glasgow and the surrounding Lowlands. The river's ancient name, Clouta or Clota in Brythonic Celtic, likely derives from a root meaning washing or cleansing water, possibly related to a goddess of the river. As a given name, Clyde carries the rugged spirit of the Scottish landscape alongside a distinctly vintage Americana feel, having been widely used in the United States during the early twentieth century.
Coinneach
“Born of fire, handsome”
Coinneach is the original Scottish Gaelic form of Kenneth, carrying the meaning 'born of fire' or 'handsome'. The name preserves the ancient Gaelic linguistic tradition and connects its bearer to the earliest recorded kings of Scotland. It has a rugged authenticity that the anglicised form cannot quite capture.
Coinneag
“Born of fire, comely”
Coinneag is a feminine Scottish Gaelic name, considered to be a diminutive or feminine form related to the masculine Coinneach, meaning comely, handsome, or born of fire. The name has a delicate, sparkling quality in Gaelic speech, with its soft consonants and open vowels. It reflects the Gaelic tradition of forming feminine names from admired masculine roots.
Coinneamh
“Assembly, meeting”
Coinneamh is a Scottish Gaelic name meaning assembly or meeting. It evokes the Highland tradition of communal gatherings where clans would convene to resolve disputes, celebrate alliances, and conduct the business of the community. The name carries a sense of leadership, community responsibility, and the importance of the collective voice in Gaelic society.
Colla
“Chief, high”
Colla is an ancient Gaelic name derived from Old Irish and Scottish Gaelic, meaning chief or high. It was borne by the legendary Three Collas, semi-mythological warrior brothers of early medieval Irish and Scottish tradition who are considered ancestral figures of several major clans, including the MacDonnells of Antrim and the MacDonalds of Islay. The name carries a deep sense of dynastic heritage and Celtic warrior nobility. As a given name today, Colla connects a child to a proud and ancient lineage.
Colquhoun
“Narrow corner”
Colquhoun derives from a Scottish place name meaning narrow corner or narrow wood, from the Gaelic elements meaning narrow and nook. It is the name of an ancient Scottish clan seated at Loch Lomond in Dunbartonshire. As a given name it is exceptionally rare, typically chosen by families with deep clan connections, and it carries an unmistakably distinctive Highland character.
Cormag
“Raven son”
Cormag is the Scottish Gaelic form of Cormac, a name composed of the Old Irish elements meaning raven and son. Ravens held a powerful symbolic role in Celtic culture, associated with wisdom, battle, and prophecy. The name therefore carries the sense of son of the raven or raven warrior. It was common among early medieval Irish and Scottish kings and saints, lending it an air of ancient authority. In the Scottish Highlands it retains a strong regional identity as a distinctively Gaelic masculine name.
Craig
“Rock, crag”
Craig comes from the Scottish Gaelic word creag, meaning rock or crag, and was originally a surname derived from places near rocky outcrops. It became widely popular as a given name from the mid-twentieth century onwards. The name conveys solidity, reliability, and a connection to the rugged beauty of the natural landscape.
Craobh
“Tree, branch”
Craobh is a Scottish Gaelic word meaning tree or branch, used as a given name in Scotland. The name connects directly to the natural world and the deep reverence for trees in Celtic culture, where specific trees such as the oak, rowan, and birch held sacred significance. Craobh evokes the ancient Caledonian forests and the idea of rootedness, growth, and sheltering strength found in trees.
Crawford
“Ford of the crows”
Crawford is a Scottish surname turned given name, deriving from a place name meaning the ford where crows gather. It combines the Old English or Scots 'craw' (crow) with 'ford' (a shallow river crossing). The crow in Celtic and Scottish tradition is a bird of intelligence and prophecy, associated with the battlefield goddess the Morrigan. Crawford carries the rugged, landscape-rooted character common to Scottish surnames used as first names, with a distinguished patrician edge.
Creag
“Rock, crag”
Creag is the Scottish Gaelic form of Craig, meaning rock or crag. While Craig has become widespread as an anglicised name, Creag retains the spelling of its Highland Gaelic origins, written as it sounds in the language of the Scottish mountains. The word 'creag' appears in countless Scottish place names, from Creag Meagaidh in the Cairngorms to countless smaller outcrops across the Gaelic-speaking world. It is a name of elemental solidity, rooted in the landscape.
Criosaidh
“Follower of Christ”
Criosaidh is the Scottish Gaelic form of Chrissie or Christina, ultimately deriving from the Greek Christos, meaning anointed one, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Messiah. The name therefore carries the meaning follower of Christ or anointed one by extension. It is a distinctly Gaelic rendering with a soft, musical sound typical of Scottish Gaelic feminine names. The spelling reflects Gaelic orthographic conventions, where the ch sound at the start is softened and the vowel combinations produce a flowing, lyrical pronunciation quite different from its English equivalents.
Curstaidh
“Follower of Christ”
Curstaidh is the Scottish Gaelic form of Kirsty or Christy, both diminutives of Christine or Christina, which derives from the Greek Christianos meaning follower of Christ or anointed one. The name has a crisp, energetic sound in Gaelic, with the distinctive '-aidh' ending marking it as authentically Scottish Gaelic. It is the Gaelic form of one of Scotland's most beloved everyday names.
Dabhoc
“Black, dark”
Dabhoc is a Scottish Gaelic name derived from a root meaning black or dark, related to the element 'dubh' which appears in many Gaelic names and place names across Scotland and Ireland. The name carries the strong, resonant quality associated with the colour black in Gaelic tradition, which could represent strength, depth, and mystery rather than simply darkness. It is an ancient name with roots in early medieval Gaelic culture.
Dalach
“Meadow dweller”
Dalach derives from the Scottish Gaelic word 'dal,' meaning a field, meadow, or plain. It carries the sense of someone who lives near or tends open land, evoking a grounded, pastoral character. The name has a sturdy, elemental quality rooted in the Scottish landscape.
Dalriada
“Kingdom of the Riata”
Dalriada is the name of the ancient Gaelic kingdom that spanned parts of what is now western Scotland and northeastern Ireland, likely derived from 'Dal' (territory or portion) and 'Riata,' a legendary ancestor of the Gaelic dynasty. As a given name it carries the weight of a proud, storied civilization. It evokes strength, heritage, and the sea-crossed lands of early Gaelic Scotland.
Dalziel
“White meadow”
Dalziel comes from a Scottish place name in Lanarkshire, derived from the Scottish Gaelic dal fhaoil or dail ghil, meaning white meadow or bright field. It is a classic example of a Scottish surname transferred to first name use, carrying the heritage of a specific landscape location. The name's spelling is famously at odds with its pronunciation, giving it a distinctive quality among Scottish names.
Davie
“Beloved”
Davie is the Scottish diminutive of David, which originates from the Hebrew 'Dawid,' meaning 'beloved' or 'friend.' It has long functioned as a standalone given name in Scotland, carrying a warm, familiar, and distinctly Scottish character. The name feels both approachable and deeply rooted, with centuries of use across Scottish communities.
Davina
“Beloved”
Davina is the Scottish feminine form of David, the Hebrew name meaning beloved or dear one. Coined in Scotland as a way of honouring the masculine name while creating a distinctly feminine identity, the name carries the same warmth and affection inherent in its source. It has been used in Scotland for centuries and retains a distinctly northern British character.
Deòrsa
“Farmer, earth worker”
Deòrsa is the Scottish Gaelic form of George, which derives from the Greek 'Georgios,' meaning 'farmer' or 'earth worker,' from 'ge' (earth) and 'ergon' (work). It carries the full heritage of the Gaelic adaptation of a classic name, with a pronunciation and spelling that is distinctly Scottish. The name connects Gaelic-speaking Scotland to both its Greek linguistic heritage and the widespread tradition of honoring Saint George.
Diarmad
“Free from envy”
Diarmad is the Scottish Gaelic form of the Irish name Diarmait, traditionally interpreted as meaning free from envy or without injustice. The name is composed of the Old Irish elements 'di' (without, free from) and 'galar' or a related root suggesting envy or ill feeling. In Scottish Gaelic culture, Diarmad was a heroic figure of the Fenian Cycle, celebrated in both Scottish and Irish tradition as Diarmad ua Duibhne, the young man whose irresistible love spot on his forehead caused the tragic tale of Diarmad and Grainne. The story, in which he elopes with the betrothed of the ageing warrior Fionn mac Cumhaill, is one of the great romantic and tragic narratives of Gaelic literature. The name carries both mythological grandeur and an authentic Gaelic identity.
Diorbhail
“True testimony”
Diorbhail is the Scottish Gaelic form of Dorothy, ultimately derived from the Greek 'Dorothea', meaning gift of God. Within the Gaelic tradition, the name is associated with true testimony and the qualities of sincerity and faithful witness. It is a name of considerable historic beauty, worn by medieval Scottish noblewomen and remembered in the anglicised form Devorgilla.
Dolina
“World ruler”
Dolina is the feminine form of the Scottish Gaelic name Donald (Domhnall), meaning 'world ruler' or 'ruler of the world.' It is a distinctly Highland name that transforms a powerful masculine meaning into a graceful and gentle feminine form. Dolina speaks to strength wrapped in softness, a name with real substance behind its lyrical sound.
Domhnall
“World ruler”
Domhnall is the Scottish Gaelic form of Donald, derived from the Old Celtic elements 'dumno' meaning world and 'val' meaning rule. It is a name steeped in Highland history, borne by kings and clan chiefs alike. The name carries an unmistakable sense of authority and ancient nobility.
Domhnull
“World ruler”
Domhnull is a dialectal Gaelic variant of Domhnall, itself the ancient Gaelic form of Donald. The name derives from the Old Celtic elements 'dubno' meaning world or deep and 'val' meaning rule or might. Together they convey the sense of one who rules the world, a powerful compound that was prized by Scottish and Irish clan leaders across the medieval period. The name's deep roots in Gaelic culture gave it a sense of ancestral authority and strength that made it a natural choice for chieftains and warriors.
Donaidh
“World ruler”
Donaidh is the Scottish Gaelic form of Donald, derived from the ancient Celtic name 'Domhnall,' composed of 'dubno' (world) and 'val' (rule), yielding the meaning 'world ruler' or 'ruler of the world.' It is a name of great historical prestige in Scotland, borne by kings and chieftains throughout Scottish history. Donaidh represents the Gaelic heart of one of Scotland's most enduring names.
Donella
“World ruler”
Donella is a Scottish feminine form of Donald, a name of Gaelic origin composed of the elements 'domhan', meaning world, and 'val', meaning rule. The name therefore carries the meaning world ruler, a grandly dignified sentiment that has long been at home in Scottish naming tradition. Donella has a more formal, ladylike quality than its cognate Dolina, and feels at once aristocratic and warmly approachable. It belongs to a family of names, including Donalda, Donna, and Dolina, that grew up around the celebrated Scottish male name Donald. Though it is rarely given today, Donella has an elegance that sets it apart from more commonly revived vintage names, making it a genuinely distinctive choice.
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