Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Boyd
BoyScottish· “from a Scottish surname, meaning uncertain”
- Meaning
- from a Scottish surname, meaning uncertain (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Scottish
- Pronunciation
- BOYD
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #1,959
- US babies 2025
- 78
- Best rank
- #228 (1899)
- Peak year
- 1922
Meaning and origin of Boyd
Boyd is often said to mean “from a Scottish surname, meaning uncertain”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Scottish roots.
Boyd is a Scottish surname whose origin is not certain. One explanation ties it to the Isle of Bute, whose Gaelic name is Bód, and another to the Gaelic buidhe, "yellow" or "fair-haired." Neither is proven, so the meaning is best treated as uncertain. The Boyd family were prominent in medieval Scotland. As a first name, Boyd has a sturdy, old-fashioned feel. It is said BOYD, in one syllable. Its single syllable makes it a sturdy middle name as well as a first name, and it pairs easily with longer surnames.
Popularity over time
Boyd has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 103 different years. Its best national rank was #228 in 1899, and the most babies received it in 1922, when 508 were named Boyd. In 2025, 78 babies were named Boyd, and it ranked #1,959 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #256 in 1920, #365 in 1950, #905 in 1980, #2,336 in 2000, #2,519 in 2010, and #1,959 in 2025. Of the 27,680 US boys named Boyd since records began, 16% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1930s come next, with 3,957 babies. Since 2010, 1,388 more have been named Boyd.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Morton, Garland, Millard, Amos, and Percy.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Boyd ranked highest in Kentucky, Missouri, and Florida.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Boyd is usually pronounced BOYD, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with B and ends in “-yd”.
Middle names for Boyd
A few middle names that flow with Boyd: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Boyd
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Lists that include Boyd
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Boyd mean?
Boyd is often said to mean “from a Scottish surname, meaning uncertain”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Scottish roots.
What is the origin of the name Boyd?
Boyd has Scottish roots. Boyd is a Scottish surname whose origin is not certain.
Is Boyd a popular name?
Not especially. Boyd ranked #1,959 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Boyd a boy or girl name?
Boyd is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Boyd?
Boyd is usually pronounced BOYD. 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