Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Blair
GirlScottish· “plain, field”
- Meaning
- plain, field
- Origin
- Scottish
- Pronunciation
- BLEHR
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #169
- US babies 2025
- 1,806
- Best rank
- #169 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Blair
Blair is a Scottish name that means “plain, field”.
Blair comes from a Scottish surname taken from place names built on the Gaelic blàr, meaning a plain or field, often one that served as a battlefield. Many Scottish places, such as Blair Atholl, carry this element. Blair was once mainly a boy's name, but in the United States it has become more common for girls, helped by fictional characters like Blair Waldorf of Gossip Girl. It has a sleek, polished sound and a single crisp syllable. It works well as a first or middle name and pairs nicely with longer names on either side.
Popularity over time
Blair first appears in US Social Security records in 1914. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 36 different years, starting in 1980. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #169, and its highest count, 1,806 babies. Use has grown 273% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #2,008 in 1950, #893 in 1980, #971 in 2000, #1,105 in 2010, and #169 in 2025. Of the 23,267 US girls named Blair since records began, 32% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 4,809 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Gemma, Ailani, Vivienne, Alani, and Daphne.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Blair ranked highest in South Dakota, Iowa, and Missouri.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | #74 | 12 |
| Iowa | #76 | 37 |
| Missouri | #90 | 61 |
| South Carolina | #95 | 44 |
| Louisiana | #96 | 39 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 90% of US babies named Blair over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Blair is usually pronounced BLEHR, with one syllable. It has five letters, starts with B and ends in “-ir”.
Middle names for Blair
A few middle names that flow with Blair: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Blair
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Lists that include Blair
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Blair mean?
Blair is a Scottish name that means “plain, field”.
What is the origin of the name Blair?
Blair has Scottish roots. Blair comes from a Scottish surname taken from place names built on the Gaelic blàr, meaning a plain or field, often one that served as a battlefield.
Is Blair a popular name?
Yes. Blair ranked #169 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Blair a boy or girl name?
Blair is mainly a girl's name. About 90% of US babies named Blair over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Blair?
Blair is usually pronounced BLEHR. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings