Are you looking for a unique name for your baby boy? While most parents research popular names worldwide, Scottish baby names can offer a fresh and unique selection. Names from Scotland have been passed down through generations and are often rooted in Gaelic or Scottish culture. This post will provide 100 Scottish boy names and their meanings to help you choose the perfect name for your baby boy.
Contents
1. Harris
Harris is not a popular name in the U.S., but it is Scotland’s most common boy name. Meaning “son of Harry,” Harris is a Scottish surname into a first name.
2. Alastair
Alastair has many different meanings depending on where it originated, but it has Scottish roots. The Scots Gaelic origin means “most noble,” while another variation comes from the Greek Ae-las-air, meaning “the lion’s roar.”
3. Rory
This name will feel close to home, as it is Scotland’s most popular boy name. Meaning “red,” Rory is the Gaelic word for red.
4. Owen
Another common Scottish name, Owen, can mean “young wolf,” giving this name a rugged and masculine feel.
5. Angus
Angus means “free man.” This unusual baby boy name may have Scottish roots, but it is worldwide.
6. Alexander
Meaning “defender of man,” Alexander is a unique baby boy name that harkens back to the Scottish countryside.
7. Liam
Liam may be a common Irish name, but it has Scottish roots. Liam means “born of strength.” The name by actor Liam Neeson and his son is also named Liam.
8. Ewan
Ewan is a masculine baby boy name meaning “born of yew trees. The term originated in Scotland, but it is also an old Irish name. Actor Ewan McGregor popularized it.
9. Duncan
Duncan comes from two words in Gaelic: “dun,” meaning “fortress,” and “Conan,” meaning “helmet.” This name has Scottish roots, and its best-known bearer is the Scottish king Duncan I (reigned 1034-1040).
10. Finlay
Finlay is another old Scottish name with Gaelic roots. It means “white sword.”
11. Iain
Iain is the Scots Gaelic form of John, and it means “God is gracious.” This name has strong Scottish ties and a robust and traditional feel.
12. Finnian
Finnian is an Irish name that has Scottish roots. The name may come from two Gaelic words: finne, or white, and Finn, fair-haired or nobleman.
13. Archie
Archie means “lively, cheerful, or vigorous,” and this name is a nod to the Scottish Highlands. Actor Archie Fisher popularized the term.
14. Alasdair
Alasdair means “defender of man.” Depending on spelling or pronunciation, this boy’s name has Scottish roots and may be confused with Alexander or Aleister.
15. Aidan
Aidan is the Irish form of the Scottish name Aodhán (meaning fire). The name was made famous by actor Aiden Quinn.
16. Ross
Ross is a Scottish and French surname and given name meaning “headland” or “promontory,” similar to the English name Roch. The most famous bearer of this name was Alexander Ross, imprisoned in Virginia for spying during the American Revolution.
17. Nicol
Nicol is a Scottish surname and nickname meaning “son of Nicholas .”This name is likely a form of the Greek name Nikolaos, which means “victory of the people.”
18. Angus
Angus has Gaelic roots and means “free man.” This baby boy’s name is also commonly seen as Aonghas, a typical Irish variation of Angus, which means “born of yew trees.
19. Rodrick
Rodrick is a Scottish name meaning ‘strong ruler’. Rodrick was most popular in the 1900s with 97 babies born in that decade.
20. Ambrose
Ambrose is a Celtic name (in Scotland, it means “immortal”) and the title of a saint. It was made famous by Ambrose Spotswood’s character in the Scottish soap opera River City.
21. Andrew
Andrew is a Scottish name meaning ‘manly, brave.’ Andrew was most popular in the 1960s with 25 babies born in that decade.
22. Alistair
Alistair is a Scottish boy name that means “most noble.”
23. Archie
This boy’s name with Scottish roots is a variation of the name Archibald, which means “defender of mankind.” It may also be a nickname for the equally popular middle name Archie.
24. Alban
Alban is the Scottish version of Albin and means “little rock.” It was made famous by author Ian Rankin’s character, Detective Sergeant Bob McCorkindale.
25. Alister
This Scottish boy’s name has Gaelic roots and means “strong fellow.”
26. Alec
Alec is a masculine name that means “wealthy.” It’s also the Irish form of the Scottish name Alexander, which means “defender of man.” This is the name of the rock group The Proclaimers.
27.
This boy’s name has Scottish roots and means “free man.” Actor Angus Deayton popularized the word.
28. Arran
This unusual baby boy name brings to mind the Arran Islands, located just off the west coast of Scotland. This Scottish name originally meant “high” or “elevated.”
29. Avery
This trendy boy name was made famous by actor Avery Brooks, but it also has Scottish roots and means “ewe river.”
30. Bac
Another Scottish boy name that has Gaelic roots. The baby boy’s name means “son of the berry” or possibly “son of the beak.”
31. Bryce
Bryce is a very masculine baby boy name with Scottish roots. It comes from the Gaelic word brìgh, which means “shine.”
32. Blair
Blair is a Scottish last name with many meanings: valley, plain, field, or stream bank. It’s also a river in Scotland and a town in New York.
33. Balloch
Balloch is a Scottish town in the Dunbartonshire area. It means “well or spring at the marsh.” This baby boy’s name has Scottish roots.
34. Ciaran
Ciaran has Irish and Scottish roots and means “little dark one.” The name was made famous by author C.E Walsh’s character, Dr. Ciaran O’Doyle, and comic actor Stuart Townsend.
35. Callum
This boy’s name has Gaelic roots and means “dove. ” Callum was made famous by the Scottish character Calum McCall in the soap opera River City.
36. Cameron
This boy’s name has Gaelic and Scottish roots and means “crooked nose.” Actor James Cameron popularized the term. It may also be a variation on the last name Campbell.
37. Ciaran
Ciaran is a very masculine baby boy name with Irish and Scottish ties, but it does not appear on many baby name lists for one reason or another.
38. Bean
This baby boy’s name has Scottish and Irish roots. It means “woman.” The name was made famous by the character Beanie, the television series’ main character, from the early-to-mid 1990s.
39. Aodh
Aodh is a very masculine baby boy name with Celtic ties and means “fire.” It may also be a variation of Aidan, which means “God is gracious.”
40. Campbell
This Scottish baby name has several different meanings: the valley or plain of Camul, “crooked nose,”; or the town in Scotland.
41. Forrest
Forrest has Scottish roots and is a variant of Fergus, which means “man strength.” Actor Forrest Whitaker popularized the name.
42. Finnian
Finnian is an Irish name that has Scottish roots. The name may come from two Gaelic words: finne, or white, and Finn, fair-haired or nobleman.
43. Balfour
Balfour has Scottish roots and means “blond stranger.” Robert Balfour Stevenson, the novelist’s father, the name was made famous.
44. Gillan
Gillan is a boy name with Irish and Scottish roots that may be either Gillean or Gillen. The baby boy’s name means “servant of St. John.”
45. Blaine
Blaine has many origins, but it’s a variation of the Scottish name Blair, which means “plain or field.
46. Callum
This Scottish boy’s name brings to mind the town of Callum or Camul, which means “valley .”The name was made famous by Neil’s son, Callum, the soap opera character.
47. Balfour
This baby boy’s name has Scottish roots and means “blond stranger.” Novelist and dramatist Robert Louis Stevenson also popularized it.
48. Gillean
This uncommon baby boy by the town of Pine Bluff, Arkansas. It means “servant of St. John.
49. Dalziel
Dalziel is a Scottish boy name, and its meaning is from the Gaelic Dal hill and Siem.
The meaning of Dal is from the Gaelic Dal g hill and gill. Gill means the hollow of a man’s knee or valley. Siem is from an Anglicization of the Gaelic S which means quiet; gentle. S iomadh also means stillness or quietness.
50. Davis
Davis is a Scottish boy name, and its meaning is from the Gaelic Dab.
The meaning of Dab is the son of life. The Gaelic Dab means son. Iad means life.
51. Donald
Donald is a Scottish boy’s name, and its meaning is world conqueror.
The meaning of Donald as a world conqueror. The Gaelic Domhnaill or Domhnull means world conqueror or ruler of the whole world.
52. Errol
Errol is a Scottish boy name, and its meaning is from the Gaelic Éirghraghail.
The meaning of Erg is tooth, ridge. Email means tooth ridge.
53. Forbes
Forbes is a Scottish boy name, and its meaning is from the Gaelic Faires bridge.
The meaning of Faires buidhe is the yellow mane. Fair means yellow. Buidhe means fur or fair hair.
54. Fraser
Fraser is a Scottish boy name, and its meaning is from the Gaelic Frisell.
The meaning of Friseal is dimmish, doubtful, or uncertain.
55. Gil
Gil is a Scottish boy name, and its meaning is from the Gaelic Gillaigh.
The meaning of Gill or Gil is lovely; pleasant. Gillian means cheerful, friendly, or agreeable.
56. Gordon
Gordon is a Scottish boy name, and its meaning is from the Gaelic Goiridh.
The meaning of Goiridh is the son of the giant or giantess. Girish also means greatness of form, noble bearing, and excellence.
57. Iain
Iain is a Scottish boy name, and its meaning is from the Gaelic Mac Iain.
The meaning of Mac Iain is the son of Ia or John. Ia means John.
58. James
James is a Scottish boy name, and its meaning is from the Gaelic Gi curbside.
The meaning of Gi curbside is beloved of Christ. Gcuirridh means beloved of Christ, loved by Christ, loved by God.
59. Jock
Jock is a Scottish boy name, and its meaning is from the Gaelic Cailleach.
The meaning of Cailleach is a hag. Cailleach means hag.
60. Robbie
Robbie is a Scottish boy name, and its meaning is from the Gaelic Ruadhbha.
The meaning of Ruadhbha is red-haired or fiery-haired. Ruadh means red. Bha means hair or head.
61. Mack
Mack is a Scottish boy name, and its meaning is from the Gaelic Mac.
The meaning of Mac is the son. Mac also means offspring. Mac means son.
62. Matthew
Matthew is a Scottish boy’s name, and its meaning is the gift of God. The Gaelic translation of Matthew is Mathghamhain.
63. Rory
Rory is a Scottish boy name, and its meaning is from the Gaelic Raghallach.
The meaning of Raghallach is red-haired or fiery-haired. Raghallach means red-haired.
64. Steven
Steven is a Scottish name meaning ‘outstanding, strong.’ Steven was most popular between 1946 and 1949 with 10 babies born in each of those years.
65. Liam
Liam is a Scottish name meaning ‘bright. Liam was most popular between 1996 and 2001 with 15 babies born in each of those years.
66. Ryan
Ryan is a Scottish boy name, and its meaning is strong-willed. The Gaelic translation of Ryan is Ruaidhri.
67. Sandy
Sandy is a Scottish boy name whose purpose is from the Gaelic Seumas.
The meaning of Seumas is James, son of Jacob or supplanter.
68. Malcolm
Malcolm is a Scottish boy name, and its meaning is from the Gaelic Maol Chaluim.
The meaning of Maol Chaluim is bald. Maol means bald. Chaluim may be a diminutive of Seumas or James. Chaluim means bald or tonsured monk, a tonsured servant of God.
69. Samuel
Samuel is a Scottish boy name, and its meaning is from the Gaelic Samhuinn and Simeon.
The meaning of Samhuinn is the festival of fire or the feast of purification, and Simeon is he who hears. Samhuinn means purification or fire. Simeon means he who hears or listens.
70. William
William is a Scottish boy name, and its meaning is will-helmeted; resolute protector; strong protection. The meaning of Will is will-helmeted; strong defense. It will also mean a helmet, headgear, or safety.
71. Maxwell
Maxwell is a Scottish boy name, and its meaning is from the Gaelic Mac Casaidhe.
The meaning Mac Casaidhe is the son of Cad. The Cad may be a diminutive of the Gaelic Catt. Catt was an ordinary pet form of Cait or Catriona, which means pure, chaste.
72. Stephen
Stephen is a Scottish boy name, and its meaning is crown. The Gaelic translation of Stephen is Stiùbhart.
73. Quarrie
Quarrie is a Scottish boy name, and its meaning is from the Gaelic Righ.
The meaning of Righ is king. Righ also means ruler or monarch.
74. Fraser
Fraser is a Scottish boy name, and its meaning is from the Gaelic Fhrao ris.
The meaning of Fhrao ris is freckled-faced. Fhrao also means freckled-faced, speckled, brownish-red hair; pale-skinned.
75. Quinn
Quinn is a Scottish boy name, and its meaning is the son of the red-haired or fiery-haired. Quinn also means little red one. Quinn may be a diminutive of Ruadhbha.
76. Graham
Graham is a Scottish boy name, and its meaning is from the Gaelic Gramham.
The meaning of Gramham is yellow-haired. Grampa may be a diminutive of Ruadhbha. Grampa means yellow-haired; ginger hair.
77. Iver
Iver is a Scottish boy name, and its meaning is from the Gaelic Íomhair.
The meaning of Íomhair is thick hair. Íomhair also means thick-haired, hairy all over.
78. Stephen
Stephen is a Scottish boy name, and its meaning is crown. The Gaelic translation of Stephen is Stiùbhart.
79. Jake
Jake is a Scottish boy name, and its meaning is from the Gaelic Dàilghaidh. The purpose of Dàilghaidh is a dagger.
80. Cameron
Cameron is a Scottish boy’s name, meaning the crooked nose. The Gaelic translation of Cameron is Cam sròn. Cam also means hand or crooked nose.
81. Scott
Scott is a Scottish boy name, and its meaning is from the Gaelic Sas.
The meaning of Sas is sorrow, pain. Sas may be an Anglicized form of the Gaelic Seonaidh or Seonaidh which means young man, young warrior.
82. Shaw
Shaw is a Scottish boy name, and its meaning is from the Gaelic Sgrùd.
The meaning of Sgrùd is a spear. Sgrùd also means spear.
83. Sinclair
Sinclair is a Scottish boy name, and its meaning is from the Gaelic Sìneachdr.
The meaning of Sìneachdr is long-faced. Sìneachdr also means long-faced.
84. Tom
Tom is a Scottish boy name, and its meaning is from the Gaelic Termite.
The meaning of Tormaite or Tum means fire, wrath, and rage.
85. Thane
Thane is a Scottish boy name, and its meaning is from the Gaelic Áodh.
The meaning of Áodh is fire. Áodh also means fire, flame.
86. Stewart
Stewart is a Scottish boy name, and its meaning is from the Gaelic Steafainn.
The meaning of Steafainn or Stiùbhradh means rowing; stroke.
87. Urquhart
Urquhart is a Scottish boy name, and its meaning is from the Gaelic Urchaidh.
The meaning of Urchaidh hill. Urquhart also means hill.
88. Sutherland
Sutherland is a Scottish boy name, and its meaning is from the Gaelic Suibhneasg.
The meaning of Suibhneasg is dark-haired, dark-skinned, pale, and colorless.
89. Ramsay
Ramsay anglicizes the Scottish surname Rame, which means “curly-headed.” According to one legend, the Rame family was known for their curly hair. This Scottish name has since the Middle Ages and today.
90. Ray
The Scottish surname Ray means “lonely.” There are several variations of the name; the most common is Ray. This name has been around since the Middle Ages, but today.
91. Rhys
Rhys comes from the Welsh word huge, which means “bald.” According to an old Welsh legend, a defrocked priest named Rhys built a chapel at Land’s End in Cornwall, England, after being cursed by his wife.
92. Reed
Reed comes from the old anglicized form of the Scottish surname Reid, which means “little reeve.” Reid was probably a given name in Scotland before it became a surname.
93.Jamie
Jamie is a Scottish name meaning ‘supplanter.’ Jamie was most popular between 1970 and 1973 with 4 babies born in each of those years.
94. Robert
Robert is a Gaelic and Scottish Gaelic name meaning “high-born.”This name during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, but the word rose in popularity in the 20th century. Robert could have originated as an Old English or German word meaning “bright day.”
95. Colin
Colin is a Scottish name meaning ‘dove. Colin was most popular between 1996 and 2000 with 13 babies born in each of those years.
96. Alexander
Alexander is a Scottish name meaning ‘defender of mankind.’ Alexander was most popular between 1946 and 1955 with 22 babies born in each of those years.
97. Robertson
Robertson is a Scottish surname of patronymic origin. This name initially belonged to the descendants of Robert. The root Gaelic name means “bright fame .”Preacher Robert Wodrow popularized this name in the late 17th century.
98. MacGregor
MacGregor is a Scottish-Gaelic patronymic name meaning “son of Gregor .”This name is by Rob Roy MacGregor, a Scottish outlaw from the 18th century.
99. Ogilvy
Ogilvy is a patronymic name meaning “son of Ogil-Ua .”This name was popularized in Scotland by King Robert I, the Bruce. This name is also the Scottish spelling of Ogilvy.
100. Wallace
Wallace is a Scottish Gaelic name meaning “warrior .”Wallace’s surname comes from this name, which is Walus vala in 10th-century records. It is possible originally an Old English or German name, meaning “battle- shield.”