Choosing a name for a baby can be tricky, but if you want a name that reflects your Scottish heritage then look no further. If you still can’t make up your mind, you can be guided by Scottish naming traditions which specify which child is named after which ancestor. These naming traditions can be particularly helpful if you are researching your Scottish ancestry.
Angus – A habitational name from the county and earldom of Angus in Scotland, or from the Gaelic personal name Aonghus, said to be composed of Celtic aon ‘one’ + gus ‘choice’. Borne by an early Celtic deity and prominent mythological figure Óengus or Aengus, the god of love, humour and youth.
Callum or Calum – Gaelic word meaning ‘dove’. May be a Gaelic derivative of Malcolm.
Cameron – Gaelic meaning ‘crooked nose’. Dates back to at least the 15th century. Also a popular Scottish surname.
Cinead – Meaning ‘born of fire’
Craig – From Gaelic word creag meaning ‘rock’. Recorded as early as the 11th century. Also a popular Scottish surname.
Donald – From Irish Gaelic Domhnall. First seen in Scotland during the 9th century. Meaning ‘world mighty’.
Douglas – From Gaelic dubh meaning ‘black’, and glas meaning ‘water’. Popular surname in Scotland. Unknown as forename before the 16th century.
Duncan – From Gaelic dun – ‘brown, and chadh – ‘warrior’. Meaning ‘dark/brown warrior’. Seen in 11th century Kings Duncan I and Duncan II.
Fergus – Ancient name, meaning ‘man of strength’ or ‘brave chieftain’. Royal name in Pictish and Celtic society. Root of Scottish surname Ferguson.
Finlay – Meaning ‘fair headed’ or ‘white warrior’.
Gordon – From Gaelic gor-dun meaning ‘hill fort’.
Graham – From grand – ‘gravel’ and ham – ‘home’. Meaning ‘gravel home’. Popular as a surname in Scotland.
Hamish – Gaelic form of James and a variant of the Irish name Séamus, meaning ‘one who supplants’. It rose in popularity during the medieval period and is still popular in Scotland.
James – Meaning ‘one who supplants’ (see above). Seen in Scotland since the 13th century. Popular with Scottish royals – there were seven Scottish King James’.
Logan – Gender-neutral Logan is a Scottish place name and surname that offers fresh cinematic appeal and inspiration. Logan is originally of Gaelic and Scottish descent, from the word lag meaning ‘hollow’.
Lennox – a gender-neutral name of Scottish and Gaelic origins, meaning ‘many elm trees’ and ‘elm grove’.
Malcolm – From Gaelic maol calium meaning ‘devotee of the dove’ ie Saint Columba. Can also mean ‘man of Columb’.
Maxwell – A name of primarily Scottish origin that means “Mack’s spring.” First recorded in 1144, Maxwell’s roots lie in a small pool near the River Tweed called Maccus Well, which was once home to Clan Maxwell.
Rory – From the Gaelic ruadh – ‘red’ and ri– ‘king’. Meaning ‘red king’. Popular with Highland clans.
Stuart – From the Gaelic sti-weard meaning ‘a steward’ or ‘animal warden’; also seen as Stewart. Clan Stewart is thought to have descended from families who came over as stewards after the Norman conquest and were later kings of Scotland.