Names For Your Bonnie Babe
Whether you can trace your heritage back to the Highlands or not, Scottish baby names offer an array of timeless and trendy choices for your wee one. While several of these names are currently experiencing a wave of popularity, we've included a few hidden gems as well. Let us know if we missed your favorite!
1. Archie
While Archie is a classic Scottish name, it actually comes to us via Old High German. The "bald" part of this name refers not to your child's appearance at birth, but, rather his boldness. Archie means both "precious" and "bold".
2. Aileen
Aileen, like several names on this list, is shared between Scotland and Ireland. This lovely name means "bright, shining light." We can't think of a better name for your little ray of sunlight.
3. Callum
Callum derives from the Latin name Columba, which means "dove". St. Columba is one of the most influential saints in Scotland. This name has slowly been rising the ranks of America's most popular baby names, and we think it's safe to assume that we'll see an influx of Callums in the next few years.
4. Catriona
Catriona is a Scottish variant of Katherine, which means "pure". Fans of Outlander will recognize this name from lead actress Catriona Balfe. Catriona is a wonderful choice for parents looking for a twist on a classic.
5. Ewan
Looks can be deceiving and Scottish pronunciation can be a little tricky if you aren't used to it. Case in point with the name Ewan. Rather than being a variant on Evan, Ewan is pronounce "yew-an" and means "born of the yew tree".
6. Elspeth
Elspeth is a super cute variation on Elizabeth, which means "chosen by God". While this name has never reached widespread popularity outside of the British Isles, we think it has what it takes to go the distance. Potential nicknames include Ellie and Elsie.
7. Fergus
Fergus is one of the oldest and most popular name in Scotland, meaning "man-strength". There are several important important Ferguses in Scottish mythology, including the legendary first king of Scotland. There's also a Fergus seated at King Arthur's round table.
8. Isla
Isla is one of the most popular names in the country, sitting pretty at #35 in the SSA's list of names. Isla is derived from the place-name Islay, an island in Scotland's Inner Hebrides. Mysteriously, we don't actually know the origin or meaning of this name.
9. Iain
Iain is a Scottish take on john, which means "grace by God". While Iain and other variants on John have fallen somewhat out of favor since the 1960s, we think this name has a coolness to it that's primed for a revival. The more common spelling Ian is still popular in America, but we think being popular is vastly overrated.
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10. Kenna
Kenna is a fun short form of Kendra, which means "greatest champion". An alternate meaning may be "born of fire" in relation to the masculine name Kenneth. Whichever meaning you choose, you can't go wrong with this name.
11. Kendrew
We bet you probably haven't heard this name before! Kendrew is a unique name combining elements from two beloved names, Andrew and Kenneth. This name means "manly" and comes with two built-in nicknames.
12. Lorna
Lovely Lorna is another name based on a place. Author R.D. Blackmore took inspiration from the Scottish town of Lorn for the heroine of his novel, Lorna Doone. Fun fact: 30 April is recognized as National Lorna day!
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13. Lachlan
If you think that Lachlan sounds like "loch-land" as in Loch Ness, then you'd be right! That's exactly what the Vikings were thinking when they described Scotland this way. Lachlan is one of those names that's been popular across the pond for a long time but is only just catching on in America.
14. Leslie
Leslie works as both a first and last name, derived from Clan Leslie. Leslie means "holly-garden" in Gaelic, which could make this a cute and subtle choice for a December baby. An alternate spelling is Lesley.
15. Lennox
Lennox is a noble name, being the title of both a Duke and an Earl. Lennox means "elm grove", and bookworms may recognize it from Macbeth, The Secret Garden, and two Agatha Christie novels. Names ending in "x" such as Maddox and Felix are popular, maybe Lennox will be the next big thing.
16. Lilias
Lilias, somewhat unsurprisingly means "lily", making this a charming choice for babies born in the spring. Like with Catriona, this is another name that's similar to a popular name, but different enough to stand out. Lilias is also a name with a spooky side; Lilias Adie was a 17th-century witch, the only one in Scotland with a known grave!
17. Logan
This ever-trendy name means "little hollow". Logan was the 5th most-popular name in America in 2017 and has ranked within the top 50 ever since. Logan is a favorite of comic book fans, as it's the real name of one of the most famous X-Men: Wolverine.
18. Mairi
A Scottish twist on one of the most popular names of all time, Mairi is a variant on Mary. Such an ancient and popular name has a ton of different meanings behind it, ranging from "drop of the sea" to "wished-for child". You don't have to make a wish to choose this adorable name for your little one.
19. Malcolm
Malcolm means "devotee of Saint Columba" making this the perfect pick to pair with Callum. Like with Felix, Malcolm is a name with a long history of royal use in Scotland, being the name of four kings. This name has a warm and welcoming sound to it, guaranteed to fit right in with your family.
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20. Malvina
Don't be thrown off by the "mal" part of this name, as there's nothing malicious about it! Malvina means "smooth brow", perhaps referring to an even temperment. This name was popularized by 18th-century Scottish poet, James Macpherson.
