Are you looking for a Scottish name for a boy rooted in history? Whether you're naming a baby, writing historical fiction, or tracing your ancestry, this A–Z guide explores the meanings, Gaelic origins, and clan connections behind traditional Scottish boys’ names – from familiar favourites like Angus and Rory to unique gems like Cinaed and Thaine.
These traditional Scottish male names come from Gaelic, Brythonic, and Norse roots – reflecting Scotland’s layered ancestry.
Choosing a name for a baby can be tricky, so 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 (for example, it was traditional in Scotland to name the first son after the paternal grandfather). Understanding these naming traditions can be particularly helpful if you are researching your Scottish ancestry.
You may also like:
- Find FREE Scottish records online! – Trace your family roots with these free websites
- 100 cool British last names – Discover striking surnames with surprising stories
- How to research Scottish ancestry – Start tracing your Scottish family tree with expert tips
Angus - Name of Celtic origin, means ‘one choice’ or ‘one strength’, derived from the Gaelic name Aonghus. Tied to a county and earldom of Angus in Scotland. Borne by an early Celtic deity and prominent mythological figure Óengus or Aengus, the god of love, humour and youth.
Archie – Short version of the German origin Archibald, popular in England and Scotland. Meaning ‘genuine and bold' or 'brave’, Archie has been used as a standalone name since the 19th century.
Arran – A habitational name coming from an island off the west coast of Scotland, Arran. Comes from Scottish Gaelic word ardan meaning ‘high place’ or ‘highland’.
Blair – Derived from the Scottish Gaelic word blar, meaning ‘plain’, ‘meadow’ or ‘field’, frequently a battlefield. It is a unisex name derived from a surname, generally used as masculine in Scotland and Canada, but feminine in the United States. See --> Clan Blair
Brodie – Derived from the name of Brodie Castle in Moray, Scotland. From the Scottish Gaelic word brothach meaning ‘ditch’ or ‘muddy place’.
Callan – Deriving from Gaelic names O Cathalain - ‘descendant of Cathalan’ and Mac Cailein - ‘son of Cailean’. Also from Irish Gaelic word caoln, with a meaning tied to war and strength.
Callum or Calum - This Scottish Gaelic name has its roots in the Latin for 'dove', columba, a symbol of purity and peace.
Cameron - Gaelic meaning 'crooked nose'. Dates back to at least the 15th century. Also a popular Scottish surname.
Cinaed - Meaning ‘born of fire’, ‘fiery’ or ‘handsome’, this Gaelic name is likely derived from the Brythonic language name Ciniod. It is represented by the later Scottish name Kenneth.
Craig - Originates from the Scottish Gaelic word creag meaning ‘rock’, associated with rugged landscapes and rocky formations. Recorded as early as the 11th century. Also a popular Scottish surname. See --> Clan Craig
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'. Its connection to dark waters may represent mystery and hidden secrets. Popular surname in Scotland. Unknown as forename before the 16th century. See –> Clan Douglas
Duncan - From Gaelic dun - 'brown, and chadh - 'warrior' or 'battle'. Meaning 'dark/brown warrior'. Seen in 11th century Kings Duncan I and Duncan II.
Elliott – A name of English and Scottish origin, a variant of the Hebrew name Elijah, meaning ‘my God is God’. See --> Clan Elliott
Ewan – A derivative of the Pictish name Uuen (or ‘Wen’), or Eòghann in Scottish Gaelic. It means ‘born of the yew tree’. The yew tree was revered by ancient Celts as a representation of longevity and rebirth. Also sometimes spelled Euan.
Fergus - Ancient name, meaning 'man of strength' or 'brave chieftain'. Royal name in Pictish and Celtic society. Root of Scottish surname Ferguson.
Finlay - An anglicized version of the Gaelic name Fionnlagh. Derived from fionn - ‘white’, ‘fair’, and laoch - ‘warrior’, it translates to ‘white warrior’ or 'fair headed warrior'.
Fraser – Scottish name strongly associated with Clan Fraser. The name translates to the French word fraise meaning strawberry. Some historians argue that it may come from the Gaelic word frasach meaning fruitful or generous.
Gordon - From Gaelic gor-dun meaning 'hill fort'. Possibly also associated with Gordon in Berwickshire. See –-> Clan Gordon
Graham - From grand - 'gravel' and ham - 'home'. Meaning 'gravel home'. Also popular as a surname in Scotland.
Haldane – Name of Scottish and Scandinavian origin, believed to translate to ‘half-Danish’. Could have connections to the many Viking invasions of ancient Britain. See--> Clan Haldane
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.
Irvine – Originates from the River Irvine flowing through southwest Scotland. It means ‘green or fresh river’ from the Celtic words ‘ir’ or ‘yr’ (green, fresh) and ‘afon’ (water). See --> Clan Irvine
James - Meaning 'one who supplants' (see Hamish above). Seen in Scotland since the 13th century. Popular with Scottish royals - there were seven Scottish King James'.
Jamie – Originally a Lowland Scots short version of James
Keith – Originally a surname derived from a place in East Lothian. Meaning ‘woodland’ or ‘forest’, has origins in the Scottish Gaelic word ‘ceit’. See --> Clan Keith
Kenneth - See entry for Cinaed. This Scottish name is less popular now than it once was. It can also be found shortened to Ken and Kenny.
Logan - Gender-neutral Logan is a Scottish place name (derived from a place n East Lothian) and surname that offers fresh cinematic appeal and inspiration. Logan is originally of Gaelic and Scottish descent, from the word lag meaning ‘hollow’. See --> Clan Logan
Lennox - a gender-neutral name of Scottish and Gaelic origins, meaning 'many elm trees’ and ‘elm grove’.
Lochlan – An anglicized form of the Scottish Gaelic Lachlann, originates from the Gaelic name Lochlann, meaning ‘from the land of lakes’.
Maclean – Scottish Gaelic origin meaning ‘son of Gillean’ or ‘son of the servant of John’. See --> Clan Maclean
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.
Murray – Originates from the region of Moray in Scotland. Meaning ‘sea settlement’, derived from Celtic mori - ‘sea’ and ‘treb’ - ‘settlement’. See --> Clan Murray
Nairn – Originates from the town of Nairn, east of Inverness. The etymology is uncertain, but it could have Celtic origins and mean ‘penetrating one’. See --> Clan Nairn
Orrick – Meaning ‘place on the border or edge’, derived from the Gaelic word ‘oir’ - edge/border. Alternative to Orrock, a habitational name taken on from Orrock in Fife. See --> Clan Orrock
Paisley – This name originates from the Scottish town of Paisley, which derives from the Old British word passeleg meaning ‘major church’. See --> Clan Paisley
Robbie – a Scottish diminutive of the name Robert or Rob, which are of English and Old Germanic origin. ‘Robert’ itself means ‘bright fame’.
Rory - Anglicized version of Scottish Gaelic name Ruairidh. From the Gaelic ruadh - 'red' and ri- 'king'. Meaning 'red king'. Popular with Highland clans.
Ross – Derived from a Gaelic word ros meaning 'headland', also from the region of Ross in northern Scotland. See --> Clan Ross
Scott – Literally means ‘a person from Scotland’ or ‘a Scotsman’, derived from the Middle English word ‘scot’. See –> Clan Scott
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.
Thaine – Derived from the medieval title ‘thane’ referring to a nobleman or lord who held land granted by the king. It means ‘landholder’ or ‘clan chieftain’.
Uilleam – Scottish form of William, which itself is of Germanic origin and means ‘resolute protector’ or ‘helmet of will’.
Wishart – Of Scottish and Norman-French origins, it stems from the Old French name Guiscard, meaning ‘prudent’ or ‘wise’. See --> Clan Wishart