Nickname help!
We want to name our baby Penelope but we can’t decide on a nickname? Help!
Scottish baby boy names are among the boldest and most memorable around.
Rooted in the country’s proud history, language, and mythology, they give a loving nod to the people and places that make Scotland so special.
No matter if you visited Skye once and fell in love, or you want to honor your family’s roots in Inverness, choosing a Scottish boy name for your little lad is a great way to show your appreciation.
And we’ve compiled the ultimate list of Scottish baby boy names to help in your baby-naming quest.
In this article: 📝
- What is the most popular boy’s name in Scotland?
- What is a good Scottish name for a boy?
- What is a cool Scottish name?
- What is a rare Scottish name?
- What is the most Scottish name?
- How about Scottish Gaelic boy names?
What is the most popular boy’s name in Scotland?
According to the National Records of Scotland, the top 5 boys’ names in Scotland for 2020 were Jack, Noah, James, Leo, and Oliver.
Very on-trend, these are popular boy’s names just about anywhere.
However, rounding out the top 10, we’ve got more traditional Scottish boy names with links to Scotland’s history and geography:
- Harris: If you’re smitten with the idea of honoring your Scottish roots, Harris is a wonderful choice. It means, simply, “son of Harry,” but it’s also the name of a beautiful Scottish island in the Outer Hebrides – a group of islands off the west coast of Scotland. Home to sandy beaches, rugged mountains, and a whiskey distillery, you’d be channeling the very essence of Caledonia with this name.
- Rory: A classic Gaelic name, Rory is tailor-made for fiery-haired little guys with Celtic connections. It means “red-haired king.”
- Alexander: A common name the world over, Alexander (“defender of men”) is often shortened to “Alec” or “Alex” in Scotland.
- Finlay: A name of both Irish and Scottish origin, Finlay means “fair-haired hero.” Once an ancient Scots royal name (Macbeth’s father was Findlaech mac Ruaidri), today it’s making a modern comeback, with its alternative spelling “Finley” proving to be a popular gender-neutral choice.
- Archie: The short (and adorable) version of “Archibald,” Archie means “truly brave.” In the States, the name is associated with the comics, but thanks to Harry and Meghan’s royal baby, it’s taken on a more regal tone of late.
So, we’re off to a good start – but we hear you.
You want even more Scottish baby names!
Buckle up baby.
What is a good Scottish name for a boy?
The options are almost endless when choosing a Scottish name for your baby boy.
And no doubt pop culture hits like Outlander and Outlaw King have given you plenty of inspo.
At Peanut, we find our greatest insights come from listening to our community’s voices.
We’ve broken down the most popular Scottish name meanings according to your biggest questions and on Scottish male names:
What Scottish name means warrior?
When you think of Scotland through the history pages, brave clansmen and fearless leaders naturally comes to mind.
We’ve heard your call, so here’s some Scottish boy names for your wee warrior:
- Duncan: Meaning “dark warrior”.
- Errol: Meaning “warrior”.
- Murdo: Meaning “sea warrior”.
- Murdoch: Meaning “sea warrior”.
Is Ewan Scottish for Ian?
Ewan Mcgregor on your mind? We don’t blame you. 😏
- Ian is actually the Scottish equivalent of the English name John and means “God is gracious”.
- Ewan on the other hand comes from the Welsh name Owen which means “young warrior” or “noble-born”.
If Ewan’s not to your tastes, there’s also a few Scottish variations of the spelling:
- Eòghann: Meaning “warrior”.
- Euan: Meaning “warrior”.
- Eógan: Meaning “warrior”.
Is Eoin Irish or Scottish?
And speaking of stellar Scottish E names:
- Eòin is another spelling for Iain, meaning “God is gracious”. It’s similar to the Irish name Eoin, but with a different accent over the ò.
Is Kai a Scottish name?
Yes, as well as being a beloved Hawaiian, Japanese, and African boy’s name.
Kai has plenty of meanings, but we stan its translation as a unique Scottish boys’ name:
- Kai: Meaning “fire”. Other meanings include “sea”, “shell”, and “food”.
What is the Scottish name for King?
You’re going to love the look and sound of this one:
- Rí: Rooted firmly in the ancient Gaelic word for “king”, it’s a sweet, simple name with a huge historical significance. If you want an even cooler alternative, in Scotland of old an Airdrí represented the “high king”.
And if you want something a little more punchier, that honors your Irish roots as well, how about:
- Ruairidh: As in Rory. It means “red king” and is related to many a high king in Ireland. Bestow with caution. This name is meant for the history books.
What is a cool Scottish name?
If you’re after even edgier, more badass Scottish boy names, these cool-sounding Scottish male names won’t disappoint:
- Alastair: Meaning “defender of men”.
- Arran: Meaning “mountain of strength”.
- Athol: Meaning “new Ireland”.
- Blaine: Meaning “yellow”.
- Blair: Meaning “meadow”.
- Boyd: Meaning “yellow”.
- Braden: Meaning “wise”.
- Brodie: Meaning “little ridge”.
- Bryson: Meaning “child of nobility”.
- Calan: Meaning “slender”.
- Cameron: Meaning “crooked nose”.
- Clyde: The Clyde is a river running through the heart of Glasgow, Scotland’s biggest city.
- Cory: Meaning “from the hollow”.
- Dalziel: Meaning “small field”.
- Donald: Meaning “power”.
- Elliot: Meaning “the Lord is my God”.
- Evander: Meaning “good man”.
- Finlay: Meaning “fair and courageous”.
- Finn: Meaning “fair”.
- Fletcher: Meaning “arrowsmith”.
- Forbes: Meaning “prosperous”.
- Fraser: Meaning “forest men”.
- Gavan: Like the more common spelling “Gavin,” this one also means “white hawk”.
- Hamilton: Fan of the musical? Hamilton is also a town in Scotland.
- Irving: Meaning “freshwater”.
- Kameron: Meaning “crooked nose”.
- Kennedy: Meaning “chieftain’s helmet”.
- Kenzie: Meaning “fair”.
- Keir: Meaning “dark”.
- Kester: Meaning “bearer of Christ”.
- Kinney: Meaning “fire-born”.
- Knox: Meaning “round-topped hill”.
- Lachlan: Meaning “from the land of lochs,” does it get any more Scottish than that?
- Laith: Meaning “lion”.
- Lennox: Meaning “elm grove”.
- Logan: Meaning “little hollow”.
- Maxwell: Meaning “Mack’s stream”.
- Munro: Meaning “man from the River Roe”.
- Niall: Meaning “champion”.
- Payton: Meaning “royal”.
- Quinn: Meaning “descendant of the chief”.
- Roban: Meaning “person from Peeblesshire”.
- Ruairi: Meaning “king”.
- Sholto: Meaning “sower”.
- Sloan: Meaning “military leader”.
- Tate: Meaning “joyous”.
- Tavish: A Scottish version of “Thomas,” which means “twin”.
- Thane: Meaning “landholder”.
What is a rare Scottish name?
If you want your little one to have a name that stands out from the rest, check out these unusual Scottish names for boys:
- Auley: Meaning “ancestor’s descendant”.
- Bac: Meaning “bank”.
- Balloch: Meaning “hamlet”.
- Baird: Meaning “poet”.
- Balfour: Meaning “farmhouse with grass”.
- Calder: Meaning “rough water”.
- Caley: Meaning “slim”.
- Chalmer: Meaning “lord of the home”.
- Erskine: Meaning “high cliff”.
- Farlan: Meaning “son of the furrows”.
- Gowan: Meaning “descendant of the smith”.
- Irvin: Meaning “freshwater”.
- Kelso: Meaning “chalk ridge”.
- Kerr: Meaning “marsh”.
- Lamont: Meaning “law man”.
- Leith: A port in Edinburgh, Leith could also be a unique boy’s name.
- Lyall: Meaning “loyal”.
- Macaulay: Meaning “son of righteousness”.
- Mingus: Meaning “tenants of a manor”.
- Mungo: Meaning “my pet”.
- Nairn: Meaning “river with alder trees”.
- Ness: Meaning “from the headland” after the famous Loch. Beware the hidden depths of this wee one.
- Nicol: Meaning “victorious”.
- Niven: Meaning “little saint”. One can hope.
- Ogilvy: Meaning “high place”.
- Paton: Meaning “royal”.
- Quarrie: Meaning “proud”.
- Rab: Meaning “bright”.
- Ruskin: Meaning “from a family of tanners”.
- Seumas: Meaning “supplanter”.
- Shaw: Meaning “thicket”.
- Tor: Meaning “from the craggy hills”.
- Torquil: Meaning “Thor’s cauldron”.
- Urquhart: Meaning “thicket”.
- Wiley: Meaning “resolute protector”.
What is the most Scottish name?
Now for some of the most Scottish-sounding male names we could find.
Lots of these are traditional, old Scottish boy names, for a true feel of the Alba spirit.
- Alasdair: Meaning “defender of men”.
- Alastaire: Meaning “defender of men”.
- Alistair: Meaning “defender of men”.
- Alister: FYI, this and the above are all Scots versions of “Alexander”, meaning “defender of men”.
- Avery: Meaning “ruler of elves”.
- Bairn: Meaning “child”.
- Barclay: Meaning “birch tree meadow”.
- Bartley: Meaning “birch tree meadow”.
- Bean: Meaning “fair-skinned”.
- Bearnard: Meaning “brave bear”.
- Bram: Meaning “father of many”.
- Bretton: Meaning “from Brittany”.
- Brochan: Meaning “porridge”.
- Brodrick: Meaning “descendant of Bruadar”.
space - Bruce: Meaning “willow lands”.
- Bryce: Meaning “freckled”.
- Cairn: Meaning “mound of rocks”.
- Callum: Meaning “dove”.
- Cam: Meaning “crooked nose”.
- Camden: Meaning “winding valley”.
- Campbell: Meaning “crooked mouth”.
- Camron: Meaning “crooked nose”.
- Carmichael: Meaning “fort of Michael”.
- Cawley: Meaning “relic”.
- Christie: Meaning “follower of Christ”.
- Colin: Meaning “cub”.
- Cormac: Meaning “son of the charioteer”.
- Davis: Meaning “beloved”.
- Donal: Meaning “mighty”.
- Dougal: Meaning “dark imposter”.
- Douglas: Meaning “dark”.
- Drummond: Meaning “ridge”.
- Dunn: Meaning “dark”.
- Ellair: Meaning “steward”.
- Eunan: Meaning “youthful”.
- Evan: Meaning “the Lord is gracious”.
- Fergus: Meaning “strong”.
- Ferguson: Meaning “son of the strong one”.
- Fyfe: A variation on “Fife,” one of Scotland’s most historical regions.
- Fyn: Meaning “fair”.
- Gil: Meaning “joy”.
- Gilmore: Meaning “servant of (the virgin) Mary”.
- Gilroy: Meaning “king’s servant”.
- Gordan: Meaning “great hill”.
- Gordon: Meaning “great hill”.
- Graeme: Meaning “gray homestead”.
- Graham: Meaning “gray homestead”.
- Grant: Meaning “tall”.
- Gregor: Meaning “on the watch”.
- Gunn: Meaning “battle”.
- Hamish: Meaning “supplanter”.
- Hay: Meaning “lives by an enclosure”.
- Haye: Meaning “lives by an enclosure”.
- Hector: Meaning “to have”.
- Henderson: Meaning “son of Henry”.
- Houston: Meaning “town village”.
- Iagan: Meaning “little fire”.
- Iver: Meaning “archer”.
- Jackie: Meaning “God has been gracious”.
- Jamie: Meaning “supplanter
- Jamieson: Meaning “son the supplanter”.
- Jock: A Scottish variation of the name “Jack”.
- Keith: Meaning “woodland”.
- Kendrick: Meaning “royal ruler
- Kendrix: Meaning “royal ruler”.
- Kenneth: Meaning “handsome”.
- Kin: Meaning “top of the cliff”.
- Kirk: Meaning “church”.
- Laurence: Meaning “laurel”.
- Laurie: Meaning “crafty”.
- Leathan: Meaning “river”.
- Lewis: Along with Harris, Lewis forms the main island of the Outer Hebrides.
- Lockie: Meaning “from the fjord”.
- Lindsay: Meaning “lake”.
- Lyle: Meaning “island”.
- Mac: Meaning “child”.
- Mack: Meaning “child”.
- Magnus: Meaning “great”.
- Malcolm: Meaning “devotee of Saint Columba”.
- Mitchell: Meaning “big man”.
- Murray: Meaning “sea settlement”.
- Naughton: Meaning “pure”.
- Neilan: Meaning “champion”.
- Ossian: Meaing “stag”.
- Rae: Meaning “shy”.
- Ramsay: After the ancient Scottish city of Hramsa.
- Ray: Meaning “grace”.
- Reed: Meaning “red”.
- Ritchie: Meaning “power”.
- Robert: Meaning “bright”.
- Robertson: Meaning “son of the bright one”.
- Rodrick: Meaning “famed ruler”.
- Ronald: Meaning “wise ruler”.
- Ross: Meaning “peninsula”.
- Rosston: Meaning “red”.
- Roy: Meaning “red”.
- Sandy: Another name that’s short for Alexander.
- Scott: Meaning “from Scotland”.
- Sinclair: Meaning “renowned”.
- Stewart: Meaning “household guardian”.
- Teigue: Meaning “poet”.
- Todd: Meaning “fox”.
- Torion: Meaning “from the craggy hills”.
- Torrence: Meaning “little hills”.
- Tyree: Meaning “carpenter”.
- Wallace: This could be a nod to Scottish hero William Wallace.
How about Scottish Gaelic boy names?
Scottish Gaelic is a Celtic language native to Scotland.
Although it’s not as widely spoken as it once was (only 57,000 out of 5 million are fluent), it’s still a hugely important part of Scottish culture, particularly in the Highlands and Islands.
Gaelic’s influence can also be seen across a variety of popular Scottish names for boys.
Here are a few we think you’ll like:
- Angus: Meaning “one strength,” Angus is the English version of the Gaelic name Aonghus. A trendy choice, it can be shortened to the infinitely cute “Gus.” And if you have more general Celtic roots, Angus pops up in Irish mythology – Aonghus was the god of love and youth.
- Callen: Solid, dependable, strong, this one simply means “rock.”
- Innes: A variation on the Gaelic spelling of the word “Innis,” meaning “island,” the name Innes means “from the river island.” It was initially a clan name long before it became a first name. It’s not a well-known name in the US, so if you’re looking for a truly unique name, this could be it.
- Struan: A name growing in popularity in Scotland, Struan (“stream”) is another that’s little known in the States. We think it’s time that changed.
There you have it! Some of the best Scottish boy names for your bonnie little lad.
If you want a second, third, or fourth opinion, share your current favorite names with your fellow mamas-to-be on Peanut.