Scottish Baby Names

Scotland has given the world a remarkable number of first names, many of them born as surnames of Highland clans or Lowland families. Scottish Gaelic, the Celtic language of the north and west, contributed others. Over time, emigrants carried these names to North America, where they settled comfortably into use for both boys and girls.

Boys' favorites include Logan, Cameron, Kenneth and Ian, the Scottish form of a classic biblical name. Grant, Maxwell and Carson reflect the surname tradition, while Colin, Gavin and Brody add a friendly, familiar sound. On the girls' side, Isla is named for a Scottish island, Paisley comes from a town whose name became a famous fabric pattern, and Mackenzie is taken from a clan name.

A good way to use this list is to think about heritage and fit together. If your family has Scottish roots, clan and place names can create a meaningful link to that history. If not, focus on how each name sounds with your surname, since many of these names are already surnames and can feel repetitive next to another one. Spelling variants are common, so decide on the form you prefer before you settle on a favorite.