Hello readers, I am excited to share a helpful guide on the top 300+ Scottish baby boy names with meanings for 2025. I am writing this to help parents discover meaningful names inspired by Scottish history and culture. I hope you enjoy exploring unique names rooted in tradition, charm, and modern appeal.
I am writing about names that reflect strength, nature, and heritage. I hope this list makes your naming journey easier with authentic meanings. I am writing for those seeking rare and popular Scottish names that stand out. I hope you find inspiration for your baby’s perfect name.
Scottish Names For Boys
Aidan – Little fire
Alastair – Defender of mankind
Angus – One strength
Arran – From the Isle of Arran
Baird – Minstrel, poet
Balfour – Pasture settlement
Bannock – From the Scottish village Bannockburn
Barclay – Birch tree meadow
Brodie – Ditch, muddy place
Bruce – From the brushwood thicket
Callum – Dove
Cameron – Crooked nose
Campbell – Crooked mouth
Carmichael – Saint Michael’s follower
Chisholm – From the Chisholm lands
Clark – Scholar, scribe
Cluny – Meadow
Colin – Young pup
Colm – Dove
Conall – Strong wolf
Cormac – Charioteer
Craig – Rock
Crawford – Crow ford
Cullen – Holly tree
Dalziel – Small field
Dallas – Meadow dwelling
Darroch – Oak
Darragh – Oak tree
Douglas – Dark river
Duncan – Dark warrior
Duff – Dark
Ewan – Born of yew tree
Euan – God is gracious
Evander – Bow warrior
Fergus – Man of vigor
Finlay – Fair-haired warrior
Fingal – Fair stranger
Fraser – Strawberry flower
Gavin – White hawk
Gordon – Spacious fort
Graeme – Gravelly homestead
Gregor – Watchful, alert
Hamish – Supplanter
Hendry – Ruler of the home
Hew – Mind, heart, spirit
Iain – Gift of God
Innes – Island
Irving – Green river
Islay – From Islay island
Jamie – Supplanter
Keith – Forest
Kenmore – Big headland
Kenneth – Handsome, fair
Keir – Dusky, dark
Kerr – Rough wet ground
Kyle – Narrow strait
Lachlan – Land of lakes
Lamont – Law man
Leith – Broad river
Leslie – Holly garden
Lewis – Famous warrior
Logan – Hollow
Lorne – Fox
Macbeth – Son of life
Macgregor – Son of Gregor
Mackenzie – Son of Coinneach
Malcolm – Devotee of Saint Columba
Mannix – Monk
Menzies – From Mesnieres
Muir – Moor dweller
Murray – From Moray
Neil – Champion
Niven – Sacred, holy
Ogden – Oak valley
Orran – Pale green
Paden – Royal
Parks – Park keeper
Quinn – Counsel
Ramsay – Wild garlic island
Ranald – Wise ruler
Reid – Red-haired
Robertson – Son of Robert
Ross – Headland
Roy – Red-haired king
Scott – From Scotland
Seumas – Supplanter
Shea – Admirable
Sholto – Seed bearer
Sinclair – Holy, bright
Struan – Stream
Tavish – Twin
Teague – Poet
Torquil – Thor’s cauldron
Urquhart – From Urquhart castle
Wallace – Welshman, foreigner
Walter – Ruler of the army
Wardlaw – From Wardlaw estate
Watson – Son of Walter
Wilson – Son of Will
Wylie – Crafty
Young – Young warrior
Classic Scottish Boy Names
Alastair – Defender of mankind
Angus – One strength, unique choice for warriors
Callum – Dove, symbol of peace
Cameron – Crooked nose, historic Highland clan name
Campbell – Crooked mouth, ancient surname turned first name
Colin – Young pup, youthful charm
Conall – Strong wolf, symbolizing bravery
Craig – Rock, sturdy and grounded
Douglas – Dark river, traditional clan name
Duncan – Dark warrior, borne by ancient Scottish kings
Ewan – Born of yew tree, symbol of strength
Fergus – Man of vigor, energetic and bold
Finlay – Fair-haired warrior, popular Highland name
Fraser – Strawberry flower, associated with Clan Fraser
Gavin – White hawk, medieval Scottish knight name
Gregor – Watchful, alert, derived from Saint Gregory
Hamish – Supplanter, Scottish form of James
Iain – Gift of God, Scottish form of John
Innes – Island, rooted in Gaelic tradition
Keith – Forest, linked to noble families
Kenneth – Handsome, fair, borne by Scottish kings
Lachlan – Land of lakes, referencing Scotland’s lochs
Logan – Hollow, derived from a Scottish place name
Malcolm – Devotee of Saint Columba, royal heritage
Murray – From Moray, traditional clan surname
Neil – Champion, heroic Celtic roots
Ross – Headland, classic Highland name
Scott – From Scotland, patriotic and historic
Seumas – Supplanter, Gaelic form of James
Struan – Stream, tied to Scottish landscapes
Tavish – Twin, rare Gaelic classic
Torquil – Thor’s cauldron, Norse-Gaelic heritage
Wallace – Foreigner/Welshman, inspired by Sir William Wallace
Unique Scottish Names For Boys
Ailbe – White or bright
Aulay – Ancestral heritage, old Gaelic form of Olaf
Banquo – From Shakespeare’s Macbeth, means “blessed”
Brodie – Ditch or muddy place, tied to a historic clan
Cailean – Young pup, rare Gaelic form of Colin
Darroch – Oak tree, symbolizes strength
Ekrick – Old Scottish name meaning strong ruler
Fingal – Fair stranger, Norse-Gaelic heritage
Gillean – Servant of Saint John, ancient Highland clan name
Islay – From the Scottish Hebrides island
Keir – Dusky or dark-haired
Lennox – From Levenach, meaning elm grove
Magnus – Great, Norse influence in Scotland
Niven – Sacred, holy
Ogden – Oak valley
Paden – Royal or noble
Quinlan – Graceful, slender
Ruaridh (Rory) – Red king, vibrant Gaelic classic
Sholto – Seed bearer, ancient clan name
Torin – Chief or leader
Urquhart – From Urquhart Castle, rare place-based name
Vaughan – Small or little, Norman-Scottish roots
Wylie – Clever, crafty
Ythan – From River Ythan in Aberdeenshire
Zander – Defender of mankind (Scottish form of Alexander)
Traditional Scottish Names For Boys
Alastair – Defender of mankind (Scottish form of Alexander)
Angus – One strength, associated with Scottish clans
Callum – Dove, symbol of peace
Cameron – Crooked nose, linked to a famous Highland clan
Campbell – Crooked mouth, ancient clan name
Colin – Young pup, youthful charm
Conall – Strong wolf, symbolizes bravery
Craig – Rock or craggy place
Donald – World ruler, borne by Scottish kings
Douglas – Dark river, classic clan name
Duncan – Dark warrior, royal heritage
Ewan (Euan) – Born of the yew tree, symbol of strength
Fergus – Man of vigor and energy
Finlay – Fair-haired hero or warrior
Fraser – Strawberry flower, tied to Clan Fraser
Gavin – White hawk, medieval knight’s name
Gregor – Watchful or alert, linked to Saint Gregory
Hamish – Supplanter, Scottish form of James
Iain – Gift of God, Gaelic form of John
Innes – Island, rooted in Gaelic tradition
Keith – Forest or woodlands
Kenneth (Coinneach) – Handsome, fair
Lachlan – Land of lakes, refers to lochs
Logan – Hollow, derived from a Scottish place name
Malcolm – Devotee of Saint Columba, ancient royal name
Murray – From the region of Moray
Neil (Niall) – Champion, heroic Celtic roots
Ross – Headland, classic Highland surname-turned-first-name
Scott – From Scotland, patriotic name
Seumas – Supplanter, Gaelic form of James
Struan – Stream or river
Tavish – Twin, Gaelic form of Thomas
Torquil – Thor’s cauldron, Norse-Gaelic heritage
Wallace – Foreigner or Welshman, inspired by Sir William Wallace
Uncommon Scottish Names For Boys
Aulay – Ancient Gaelic form of Olaf, means “ancestor’s relic.”
Banquo – Historic name from Macbeth, means “blessed.”
Cailean – Gaelic version of Colin, meaning “young pup.”
Darroch – From Gaelic for “oak tree,” symbolizes strength.
Ekrick – Old Scottish name meaning “strong ruler.”
Fingal – Norse-Gaelic heritage, means “fair stranger.”
Gillean – Means “servant of Saint John,” ancient Highland clan name.
Islay – Inspired by the Hebrides island, rare as a given name.
Keir – Means “dusky” or “dark-haired,” uncommon in modern use.
Lennox – From Gaelic Leamhnachd, meaning “elm grove.”
Magnus – Norse origin, means “great,” used historically in Scotland.
Niven – Gaelic name meaning “sacred” or “holy.”
Ogden – Means “oak valley,” rare Scottish-English crossover.
Paden – Means “royal” or “noble,” uncommon clan-linked name.
Quinlan – Means “slender and graceful,” Gaelic roots.
Ruaridh (Rory) – Gaelic for “red king,” in rare Gaelic spelling.
Sholto – Ancient clan name meaning “sower of seeds.”
Torin – Gaelic for “chief” or “leader.”
Urquhart – From Urquhart Castle; rare place-derived name.
Wylie – Means “clever” or “crafty,” uncommon outside Scotland.
Ythan – Inspired by the River Ythan in Aberdeenshire.
Farquhar – Means “beloved man,” old Highland family name.
Menzies – Surname turned rare given name, linked to Clan Menzies.
Teague – Gaelic for “poet” or “philosopher.”
Torquil – Norse-Gaelic origin, means “Thor’s cauldron,” very rare today.
Gaelic Scottish Names For Boys
Aodh – Fire; linked to old Celtic mythology.
Aonghus (Angus) – One strength; Celtic god of love and youth.
Alasdair (Alastair) – Defender of mankind; Gaelic form of Alexander.
Cailean (Colin) – Young pup; symbolizes youth and vitality.
Calum (Callum) – Dove; symbol of peace.
Ciaran – Little dark one; refers to dark hair/complexion.
Coinneach (Kenneth) – Handsome or fair.
Conall – Strong wolf; emblem of bravery.
Cormag (Cormac) – Charioteer or raven.
Domhnall (Donald) – World ruler; borne by ancient Scottish kings.
Donnchadh (Duncan) – Brown warrior; early royal name.
Eoin (Ewan/John) – God is gracious; Gaelic form of John.
Fergus – Man of vigor; strong and energetic.
Fionn (Finn) – Fair or white; linked to mythological hero Fionn MacCumhaill.
Finlay (Fionnlagh) – Fair warrior; “blessed hero.”
Gilleasbuig (Archibald) – Servant of the bishop; old Gaelic church name.
Griogair (Gregor) – Watchful or vigilant.
Iain (Ian) – Gift of God; Gaelic form of John.
Lachlann (Lachlan) – Land of the lochs; Viking roots.
Mael-Coluim (Malcolm) – Devotee of Saint Columba.
Niall (Neil) – Champion; heroic Celtic roots.
Oisean (Ossian) – Little deer or fawn; linked to Scottish legends.
Padruig (Patrick) – Nobleman; Gaelic form of Patrick.
Ruaridh (Rory) – Red king; Gaelic royal heritage.
Seumas (James) – Supplanter; Gaelic form of James.
Somhairle (Sorley) – Summer traveler; Norse-Gaelic heritage.
Struan (Sruthan) – Stream or small river.
Tadhg (Teague) – Poet or philosopher; literary Gaelic name.
Torcall (Torquil) – Thor’s cauldron; Norse-Gaelic connection.
Uilleam (William) – Resolute protector; Gaelic form of William.
Scottish Celtic Names For Boys
Aodh – Fire; a name from Celtic mythology.
Aonghus (Angus) – One strength; Celtic god of youth and love.
Alasdair – Defender of mankind; Gaelic form of Alexander.
Cailean – Young pup; symbolizes innocence and vitality.
Calum – Dove; represents peace.
Ciaran – Little dark one; refers to dark hair or complexion.
Coinneach (Kenneth) – Handsome or fair.
Conall – Strong wolf; emblem of bravery.
Cormag (Cormac) – Charioteer or raven; heroic Celtic roots.
Domhnall (Donald) – World ruler; name of Scottish kings.
Donnchadh (Duncan) – Brown warrior; early royal name.
Eoin (Ewan) – God is gracious; Gaelic form of John.
Fergus – Man of vigor; strong and energetic.
Fionn (Finn) – Fair or white; linked to legendary warrior Fionn MacCumhaill.
Fionnlagh (Finlay) – Fair-haired hero; blessed warrior.
Griogair (Gregor) – Watchful or vigilant.
Hamish (Seumas) – Supplanter; Gaelic form of James.
Iain (Ian) – Gift of God; Gaelic form of John.
Lachlann (Lachlan) – Land of the lochs; Norse-Celtic roots.
Mael-Coluim (Malcolm) – Devotee of Saint Columba.
Niall (Neil) – Champion; ancient heroic name.
Oisean (Ossian) – Little deer or fawn; poetic Celtic legend name.
Padruig (Patrick) – Nobleman; Gaelic form of Patrick.
Ruaridh (Rory) – Red king; Celtic royal heritage.
Somhairle (Sorley) – Summer traveler; Norse-Celtic heritage.
Struan (Sruthan) – Stream or river.
Tadhg (Teague) – Poet or philosopher; classic Gaelic name.
Torcall (Torquil) – Thor’s cauldron; Norse-Gaelic origin.
Uilleam (William) – Resolute protector; Gaelic form of William.
Eoghan (Ewan/Owen) – Born of the yew tree; symbol of strength.
Scottish Place Names For Boys
- Arran – From the Isle of Arran in the Firth of Clyde.
- Skye – Inspired by the Isle of Skye, known for rugged beauty.
- Harris – From the Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides.
- Lewis – From the Isle of Lewis; also means “renowned warrior.”
- Islay – From the Hebridean island; rare as a boy’s name.
- Lennox – From the Leamhnachd region, means “elm grove.”
- Fife – Named after the historic Kingdom of Fife.
- Clyde – After the River Clyde in Glasgow.
- Moray – From the region of Moray; historic Pictish kingdom.
- Ayr – Coastal town in southwest Scotland; short and bold.
- Fraserburgh (Fraser) – Town in Aberdeenshire; ties to Clan Fraser.
- Selkirk – Borders town; means “church on the hill.”
- Kelso – Town in the Scottish Borders.
- Elgin – Town in Moray; name of a historic cathedral city.
- Blair – Means “field or plain;” Blair Atholl and Blairgowrie are well-known towns.
- Stirling – Historic city with a medieval castle.
- Aberdeen – Northeast city; can shorten to “Dean.”
- Oban – Port town on the west coast; means “little bay.”
- Gala (Galashiels) – From a Borders town; Gala is a modern twist.
- Leith – Edinburgh port district; means “broad river.”
- Ross – Highland area; means “headland.”
- Murray/Moray – Highland region; traditional clan surname.
- Keith – Moray village; also a clan name.
- Rannoch – After Loch Rannoch; nature-inspired.
- Alva – Clackmannanshire village; unique short name.
- Huntly – Aberdeenshire market town; tied to Clan Gordon.
- Tain – Oldest royal burgh in the Highlands.
- Cullen – Coastal village; means “holly tree.”
- Errol – Perthshire village; linked to nobility (Earl of Erroll).
- Govan – Glasgow district; ancient site on River Clyde.
Scottish Names For Boys 1800s
Alasdair (Alastair) – Defender of mankind (Gaelic form of Alexander)
Angus – One strength; tied to ancient Scottish clans
Archibald (Gilleasbuig) – True and bold; servant of the bishop in Gaelic
Callum (Calum) – Dove; symbol of peace
Cameron – Crooked nose; Highland clan name
Colin (Cailean) – Young pup; youthful charm
Donald (Domhnall) – World ruler; borne by Scottish kings
Douglas – Dark river; noble clan name
Duncan (Donnchadh) – Brown/dark warrior; royal heritage
Ewan/Euan (Eoghan) – Born of the yew tree; symbolizes strength
Fergus – Man of vigor; energetic and brave
Finlay (Fionnlagh) – Fair-haired hero or warrior
Fraser – Strawberry flower; surname tied to Clan Fraser
Gavin – White hawk; medieval knight name
Gregor (Griogair) – Watchful or alert; Saint Gregory heritage
Hamish (Seumas) – Supplanter; Gaelic form of James
Hugh (Uisdean) – Heart, mind, spirit; common 19th-century name
Iain (Ian) – Gift of God; Gaelic John
James (Seumas) – Supplanter; very popular biblical name
John (Iain/Eoin) – God is gracious; classic 1800s choice
Kenneth (Coinneach) – Handsome, fair; borne by early kings
Lachlan (Lachlann) – Land of the lochs; Norse-Celtic influence
Malcolm (Mael Coluim) – Devotee of Saint Columba; royal name
Murdoch (Murchadh) – Sea warrior; rare now, common historically
Neil (Niall) – Champion; ancient heroic name
Norman (Tormod) – Norseman; Norse-Gaelic roots
Patrick (Padruig) – Nobleman; classic saintly name
Robert (Raibeart) – Bright fame; name of Robert the Bruce
Roderick (Ruairidh) – Famous ruler; red-haired king
Thomas (Tavish) – Twin; Tavish is Gaelic form
Walter (Ualtair) – Ruler of the army; classic noble name
William (Uilleam) – Resolute protector; hugely popular 1800s name
Last Words
I hope this list of Scottish baby boy names with meanings helps you choose the perfect name for your little one. I am writing this to make your search simple and meaningful with names full of culture and charm. I hope you feel inspired by the history and beauty behind each name on this list.
I am happy to share ideas that match your style and values. I hope you find a name that feels special and unique. I am sure this guide will make your naming journey easy. I hope you enjoy selecting your baby’s beautiful Scottish name.
