18 beautiful Scottish names and their meanings
Much like the eclectic array of dialects, Scottish names are as magical as the dreams from which they originate. Some classic, others unique, were blown away by Scotland's most striking names and the meaning behind them.
Eliza
Female | Ailsa is pronounced in the same way as Elsa and is a tried and tested Scot. It refers to volcanic islands and schools of gannets, Elsa Craig, emerging from Clyde Bay, meaning "supernatural triumphs".
Beathan
Male | Although the Scottish Gaelic word for whiskey or "water of life" is uisge-beatha, the name Beathan simply means life. Pronounced BAEy-un, it is definitely a relatively unusual name.
Skye
Female | The Isle of Skye is a striking name taken from the Isle of Skye, Scotland's most magical island, and is an uninterrupted paradise. Suitable for adventurers and powerful characters, if there are problematic people like islands, they are one in a million.
Coinneach
Male | Although known as Kenneth, Coinneach translates to "handsome" and is derived from the Gaelic word caoin. Pronounced CON-ak, it is also the name of an Irish boy.
Morvin
Female | The name Morven is evident in many cultures, but it is typically Scottish. Morvin vs. James McPherson about Ossianic poetry is also a Scottish place name, rooted in the Gaelic word A'Mhorbhairne, meaning sea gap or great gap.
Lackland
Male | Lachlan is an ode to Scotland's mysterious lochs and places, and is the boy's name, meaning "land in the lake". Pronounced LACK-lan, it also has the nickname of a Scot from Norway. The female version is Lachina.
Marcail
Female | Macari is the Scottish version of Margaret, meaning "pearl", and is a name for a stunning soul. Pronounce MAR-kale.
Payden
Male | The name Paden originated in Scotland and is translated as "royalty". It's a cool boy name, and it's a perfect choice for parents who want an original name to have a relationship with Scotland. Paden may also be gender-neutral.
Senga
Female | Spelled backwards, Senga is a traditional Scottish name meaning pure and chaste. It has become more unique and has faded away over the years.
Sorcha
Female | Meaning bright, bright and radiant, the name Sorcha can be found in Scotland and Ireland. It originated from the Gaelic word for "brightness" and is also associated with the name Clara. Pronounce SO-ka.
Baird
Male | Baird is a fairly common surname in Scotland, but it's a cool name. Rooted in the meaning of a bard, this funky boy name is suitable for lovers of literature. Pronounce BEAR-d.
Bonnie
Female | A typical Scottish name that never goes out of style, Bonnie is a beautiful, pretty, stunning and attractive word for Scots. Bonnies tend to have a unique personality.
Ùisdean
Male | Pronounced OOSH-jun, this Scottish Gaelic name derives from the Old Norse name Eysteinn, which roughly translates to Eternal Island Stone.
Isla
Female | The Isla, pronounced EYE-la, comes from isle of Islay, a charming island off the west coast of Scotland that is the name of two Scottish rivers.
Mali
Like The Bay of Mali, this Scottish surname is also a masculine name meaning sea. Scotland's Scottish version, this version captures scotland's spirit of adventure.
Liùsaidh
Female | A charming name, Liùsaidh is Lucia's Scottish Gaelic alternative, and the lyrical Italian name means elegant, elegant, and shining. Pronounce LOO-sai.
Hamish
Male | You can't get more Scots than Scots - well, except for the name Jock (Scotsman for John)! A tried-and-true option is still strong today, and this fascinating option is James's Scottish version. Hamish means complementer and Highlander.
Morag
Female | A traditional name, Mòrag in Gaelic means great and sun. However, it is also the Scottish version of Sarah, meaning princess.
