200+ top Scottish baby names with unique meanings

Want to give your baby a name with Scottish flair? There’s a great choice of monikers that hail from the land of the brave - from traditional Scottish baby names to truly unique and modern names for both girls and boys.

By Kat Romero | Last updated Jul 8, 2024

baby lying down with present

Scotland is a country steeped in a wonderfully rich history and if you live there or have visited, there’s no doubt you will have become acquainted with the array of unique and beautiful Scottish names. 

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So many traditional Scottish baby names are seeing a resurgence in popularity right now. Classics including Rory, Angus and Eilidh all appear in the latest National Records of Scotland baby names charts, released in March 2024.

Then there’s the beautiful and oh-so-Scottish name Isla, which has Scottish Gaelic heritage and which hit the top spot for the very first time in Scotland in 2023, knocking the previous number one girl name, Olivia, down to second place. 

Speaking of Olivia, did you know that there’s a little known Scottish link to this popular name - and also to the very well-chosen boy name Oliver? Read about these names in our list below to find out more. 

Not only do Scottish names sound great on the ear, they also carry wonderful meanings and interesting origins. How about Bonnie - a name undeniably tied to Scotland - which means 'pretty' and climbed six places to number 24 in 2023. Scottish boy name Brodie, which went up three places to number 20, means ‘muddy place’ - perfect for any outdoorsy toddler.

So many of our Mumsnet users have opted for Scottish baby names, with our Baby Names forum filled with ideas and thoughts on a variety of popular options and some wonderfully unusual baby names too. So if you’re eager to give your baby a name from bonny Scotland, we’ve rounded up our list of the top 200.

What is a popular Scottish baby name?

Some of the most popular baby names in Scotland include Isla, Eilidh and Bonnie for girls and Harris, Logan, Brodie, Rory and Blake for boys. All these names have Scottish origins.

Want ideas for a traditional baby name? Maisie is an old school Scottish diminutive of Margaret, which means 'pearl'. This sweet vintage choice jumped a whopping nine places in the most recent Scottish baby names top 100 chart, landing at number 15.

Traditional Scottish boy name Angus is also well-used, placed at number 45 after jumping up five places since 2022.

Another climber in Scotland's boy name chart is Finlay, which is of Scottish and Irish origin, means ‘fair warrior’ and rose two places to number 10.

How we chose the top Scottish baby names

We consulted the National Records of Scotland to find the most popular baby names in Scotland for 2023 (published in March 2024) but also trawled trusted baby names data across the wider web to uncover the most popular, unique and traditional Scottish names. We also scoured the Mumsnet Baby Names forum to source unbiased and unfiltered opinions from our network of parents.

Most popular baby girl names in Scotland

Ranked in order of popularity

1. Isla - a Scottish name, derived from the Scottish Gaelic word for ‘island’. Isla is a variation of Islay, a Scottish island on the west coast

2. Olivia - most popularly known to be of Latin origin, when derived from the word ‘oliva,’ which means ‘olive tree’. However, interestingly, like the boy name Oliver, it’s thought that many Scottish instances of this name stem from the Old Norse name Oleifr, which was used on the Scottish/England borderlands many centuries ago

3. Freya - a powerful yet ethereal name, derived from the Old Norse goddess of love, ‘Freyja’

4. Emily - of Latin origin and is derived from the name Aemilia, which was used in ancient Rome, meaning ‘rival’

5. Amelia - of Germanic origin and is derived from the name Amalia, which means ‘work’ or ‘industrious’

6. Ella - of Germanic origin, meaning ‘other’, ‘goddess’ or ‘fairy maiden’

7. Charlotte - of French origin, the feminine form of Charles, it means ‘little Charles’ or ‘free woman’ (Charles means ‘free man’). As one of our Mumsnetters pointed out, it’s both ‘beautiful and timeless’

8. Millie - a diminutive form of several names, including Mildred and Millicent, which have Old English origins. While Millie doesn't have a specific meaning of its own, it is often associated with gentleness and kindness

9. Grace - of English origin, derived from the word ‘grace’ which means ‘elegance’, ‘charm’ and 'divine favour'

10. Ava - of Latin origin, meaning ‘bird’ or ‘birdlike’. Also of Persian origin meaning ‘voice’ or ‘call’

11. Lily - of English origin and is derived from the name of the flower

12. Aria - this name has multiple origins, including Italian and Hebrew. It is often associated with music, as it means ‘air’ or ‘melody’ in Italian

13. Sophie - of Greek origin, meaning ‘wisdom’

14. Orla - a name of Irish origin, meaning ‘golden princess’

15. Maisie - of Scottish origin and is a diminutive of Margaret, meaning ‘pearl’

16. Sophia - Scottish origins lie in the word ‘Beathag’, which means ‘wise and intelligent.’ Some Mumsnetters feel this name has become too popular and opted for it as a middle name instead

17. Rosie - From the Scottish Gaelic, ‘Ros’, meaning ‘wooded’ and also stemming from the Latin word ‘rosa’, meaning, you guessed it, ‘rose’!

18. Ivy - of English origin and is named after the climbing plant known for its evergreen leaves

19. Evie - a twist on Eve, meaning ‘life’

20. Lucy - of Latin origin and is derived from the name Lucia, meaning ‘light’

21. Sofia - of Greek origin, meaning ‘wisdom’

22. Harper - of English origin and originally referred to someone who played the harp or made harps

23. Willow - From the Old English ‘welig’ which means ‘willow tree’, Willow is a beautiful nature-inspired name for your baby girl

24. Bonnie - an undeniably Scottish name, this means ‘pretty’

25. Jessica - of Hebrew origin and is derived from the name Yiskah meaning ‘to behold’ or ‘foresight’

26. Eilidh - a Scottish Gaelic name, meaning ‘radiant one’

27. Ellie - derived from names including Eleanor and of English origin, meaning ‘light’

28. Maya - of Hebrew origin, meaning ‘water’

29. Mia - from Hebrew, meaning ‘ocean goddess’ or ‘queen’

30. Daisy - from the Old English word ‘dægeseage’, which means ‘day’s eye’

31. Elsie - of Scottish origin, meaning ‘pledged to God’

32. Poppy - of Latin origin, meaning ‘red flower’

33. Esme - derived from Old French, meaning ‘to respect’ or ‘admire’. Our Mumsnetters love this name, although many can't agree on whether it needs to be spelt with an accent on the second ‘e’ or not

34. Zara - of Arabic origin meaning ‘blooming flower’ or ‘radiance’

35. Hallie - of Old Norse origin, meaning ‘dweller in the meadow’

36. Ruby - of Latin origin, named after the precious gemstone

37. Mila - popularised by the actress Mila Kunis, it is now one of the most popular baby names for girls, meaning ‘gracious’. Our Mumsnetters feel this is a classic and timeless choice

38. Isabella - of Scottish origin, meaning ‘pledged to God’

39. Maeve - of Irish origin and is derived from the name Medb in Old Irish. Medb was a legendary queen in Irish mythology, known for her beauty and power. The name is also associated with the Irish word ‘maol’, which means ‘bald’ or ‘smooth’

40. Anna - of Gaelic origin, meaning ‘graceful’

41. Lottie - traditionally derived from the name Charlotte but now extremely popular as a stand-alone name, it means ‘little Charles’ or ‘free woman’

42. Robyn - connected with two pop stars: Robyn Fenty (Rihanna) and Robyn of the classic, ‘I Keep Dancing on My Own’. Of Norman origin, it appropriately means ‘fame’ or ‘bright

43. Emma - derived from the Germanic word ‘ermen’, meaning ‘whole’ or ‘universal’. This name was a little divisive with Mumsnet users as some find it ‘bland’ while others love it

44. Georgia - derived from the Greek name Georgios which means ‘farmer’ or ‘earthworker’. Famous feminisations of the name George now count Georgia O’Keefe, the painter, among its alumni

45. Phoebe - a Greek name meaning ‘radiant, shining one’

46. Ada - of German origin, meaning ‘noble’

47. Sienna - of Italian origin, meaning ‘orange-red’. This name is growing rapidly in popularity

48. Erin - of Gaelic origin, this name literally means Ireland

49. Layla - from Arabic origins meaning ‘night’. Due to its rich history, many of our Mumsnet users feel it's a name that suits all ages

50. Eva - of Hebrew origin, meaning ‘life’

Most popular baby boy names in Scotland

Ranked in order of popularity

51. Luca - of Latin origin, meaning ‘bringer of light’

52. Noah - coming from the Hebrew word ‘noach’, this name means ‘comfort’ and ‘rest’ 

53. Leo - from the Latin word for lion, a lot of Mumsnetters love how strong it sounds

54. Jack - meaning ‘healthy, strong, and full of energy’. This one is a classic choice for a reason, short, sweet and straight to the point

55. Harris - of Scottish and English origin, meaning ‘son of Harry’

56. Rory - of Gaelic origin, this one means ‘red-king’. A classic name that has its roots in Scottish and Irish, it’s a very popular choice. Mumsnetters also think it's a name that works well with a strong middle name

57. Oliver - one of the most consistently popular baby names, it is thought to have roots in Scotland, from the Old Norse word, which means Óleifr, meaning ‘heir’. It’s certainly a classic choice, as it may also stem from the Greek name ‘oliverus’ which means ‘olive tree’

58. Theo - a short form of the name Theodore, which has Greek origins. Theodore means ‘gift of God’

59. Archie - of English origin and is often used as a diminutive or nickname for Archibald. It was traditionally a common name in Scotland and means ‘genuinely bold’ or ‘brave’

60. Finlay (or Finley) - of Scottish and Irish origin, meaning ‘fair warrior’

61. Muhammad -  an Arabic name meaning ‘praiseworthy’, after the prophet and founder of Islam

62. James - with Scotland having had a James on the throne, so if you want to go regal, choose this one, meaning ‘he who grasps the heel’

63. Finn - of Irish and Nordic origin, meaning ‘fair’ or ‘wanderer’

64. Brodie (or Brody) - of Scottish origin, meaning ‘muddy place’

65. Alexander - from Greek origin, meaning ‘defender of men’

66. Thomas - this comes from the Hebrew word for ‘twin’

67. Jude - meaning ‘praised’, this popular name can only lead to your child loving the Beatles

68. Lucas - like Luke and Luca, it means 'bringer of light', so would it suit any little cutie who can brighten up a room

69. Alfie - a diminutive of the name Alfred, which has Old English and Germanic origins, Alfie means ‘elf counsel’ or ‘wise counsellor

70. Lewis - of Scottish and English origin, meaning ‘famous warrior’

71. Freddie - meaning ‘peaceful ruler’. For a pretty popular name, this one has some standout alumni, none more than the late Freddie Mercury. Not bad company to keep

72. Arlo - now androgynous and cool and meaning ‘stone or rock hill’. If you have ambitions for your child one day becoming a chic singer like Arlo Parks, choose this one

73. Max - derived from the Latin name Maximilian and Maximus, meaning ‘the greatest’

74. Charlie - of French origin, this diminutive of Charles means ‘free man’

75. Tommy - like Thomas, this means ‘twin’

76. Arthur - of Celtic origin, meaning ‘bear’. Most Mumsnetters agree that this name is a cute choice

77. Mason - derived from the Old French for ‘stone-mason’, and growing ever more popular

78. Oscar - of Gaelic origin, meaning ‘friend of deer’. Whilst a well-loved choice, some Mumsnet users worry it’s too popular

79. Logan - drawn from the Gaelic word, ‘lagan’ or ‘lag’, which means ‘little hollow’

80. Blake - of Scottish origin, meaning ‘dark-haired’ or ‘swarthy’. A popular name with celebs, Rochelle and Marvin Humes chose it for their son

81. Sonny - of Old English origin, meaning ‘son’ or ‘little son’

82. Kai - of various origins. The Hawaiian version means ‘sea’, while the name’s Welsh, Scandinavian and Greek roots hold the meaning ‘keeper of the keys’

83. Roman -  originally meaning ‘citizen of Rome’, made popular more recently by A-listers Cate Blanchett and Debra Messing, who each chose this one for their baby boys. Big readers might appreciate that ‘roman’ is the French word for novel

84. Caleb - of Hebrew origin meaning ‘devotion to God’. It’s become a trendier choice in  recent times thanks to the lead singer of Kings of Leon

85. Cameron - originating from the Gaelic word for 'crooked nose'

86. Harrison - of Anglo-Saxon descent meaning ‘son of Harry’; famously chosen by Prince Harry and Meghan for their son Archie Harrison, who was born in 2019.

87. Jacob - a popular Old Testament name meaning ‘supplanter’

88. Adam - a strong name of Hebrew origin, meaning ‘son of the soil’

89. Louie - of French and German origin, meaning ‘famous warrior’, you may also like the alternative and less well-used spelling, Louis

90. Ethan - of Hebrew origin meaning ‘firm, enduring, long-lived’. One Mumsnetter says that it has a ‘nice sound’ and shouldn’t date

91. Ollie - looking for a twist on an old classic? This one shortens one of the most enduringly popular baby boy names, Oliver

92 Harry - a name brought initially by Norman invaders, meaning ‘home ruler’. It’s a classic royal choice, considering Prince Harry, and has been one of the top baby boy names for years

93. Reuben - originally Hebrew, refers to the saying, ‘behold, a son.’ Hugely popular on the Mumsnet forums

94. Albie - a classic name of Latin and English origin, it was traditionally short for Albert but is now popular as a standalone name.

95. Angus - of Scottish and Irish origin, meaning ‘one choice’ or ‘unique’

96. Daniel - origins trace back to the Old Testament where it is defined as ‘God is my judge’. A good one for the strong-willed and independently minded

97. Liam - a shortened version of the Gaelic name, Uilliam, meaning ‘helmet of will’ 

98. Hudson - an Old English name meaning ‘son of Hugh’

99. Aaron - of Hebrew origin, this classic name means ‘exalted, strong’

100. Carter - of English origin, meaning ‘transporter of goods by cart’

Modern Scottish baby girl names 

101. Aine - while not exclusive to Scotland, this name has been used in various Celtric cultures and means ‘joy’. It’s pronounced ‘awn-yuh’

102. Ainsley - this name has become hugely popular since the early noughties but its roots are in Scotland and it comes from the Old English word for 'solitary' or 'hermitage'. Some of our Mumsnetters couldn’t help but think of the chef Ainsley Harriott, whilst others love the uniqueness of the name

103. Afton - this gender-neutral baby name has its roots in Scotland and means 'evening'

104. Beitidh - This name is pronounced like Betty and means 'my God is plentiful'

105. Bethóc -  meaning ‘life’ and was the name of the eldest daughter and heir of Malcolm II of Scotland

106. Blair - this name gained huge prominence due to Gossip Girl and is a gender-neutral name that means ‘plain’ or ‘meadow’. It originated from the Scottish Gaelic word blár and can also be used as a surname

107. Camryn - a very unique choice for a girl, you can use Cam for short. A modern variant of the name Cameron, which has Scottish origins and means ‘crooked nose’ or ‘bent nose’

108. Eimhir - this unique name is pronounced ee-mehr and has its roots in Gaelic mythology. Emer, which is how it's spelt in Irish, was believed to have six gifts of womanhood, which included wisdom and grace

109. Elsbeth - this name is the Scottish version of Elizabeth and has the meaning 'my God is an oath'

110. Iona - meaning 'dove' but is also the name of a small island off the southwest coast of Mull in the Inner Hebrides

111. Mysie - a diminutive form of the name Margaret, it means ‘pearl’ or ‘child of light’

112. Senga - an unusual choice but it comes from the Gaelic word that means ‘slender’

113. Sheona - a variant of the more traditional name Shona, this means 'Yahweh is gracious'

114. Sileas - a gorgeously old-fashioned baby name that sounds so modern and fresh. It means ‘heaven’ 

115. Úna (or Oona) - this name is actually one of the oldest in Scotland but it's become a modern classic, with TOWIE's Danielle Armstrong most recently using it for her baby daughter. It means 'lamb'

116. Teasag - meaning ‘god is Gracious’, this unique name is pronounced chet-sa

117. Yaldi - an interesting choice as it is actually Scottish slang for ‘excitement’ and ‘joy’

Modern Scottish baby boy names 

118. Blaine - traditionally a surname, this unique moniker means ‘yellow’. It seemed to divide opinion on our forums though…

119. Boyd - this name has both Scottish and Irish origins and also means ‘yellow’ 

120. Dalziel - Meaning ‘bright dale’, this name may cause a bit of confusion with its pronunciation. Typically, it’s pronounced dee-ell

121. Forbes - this name may have you thinking about fortune, due to the popular magazine. And that makes sense as it means ‘prosperous’

122. Gavan - this is a unique take on the classic Gavin and also means ‘white hawk’

123. Gillespie - the anglicised version of the Gaelic name Gille Easbaig and means ‘servant of the bishop’

124. Grayson - a pet form of the given name, Gregory, which means ‘watchful’

125. Hamilton - a great choice for musical lovers, this Scottish name derives from the town of the same moniker

126. Keir - also the name of the current Labour leader, this name means ‘dark’

127. Knox (or Knoxx) - once a traditional surname, this has now become a popular choice for first names, with Kelly Clarkson using it as well as Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt

128. Niall - of Celtic origin, this name is definitely growing in popularity due to a certain member of One Direction. It means ‘champion’

129. Payton - of Scottish and Irish origin. A hugely popular name in the US, this can be used for both boys and girls and means ‘royal’

130. Sloan (or Sloane) - a bold choice with battle roots as it means ‘military leader’

131. Tasgall - this unusual choice is Scottish Gaelic and means ‘God’s helmet’

132. Tate - you may be mistaken for thinking of this as just a surname but Tate has really grown in popularity in recent years and simply means ‘joyous’

133. Thane - this distinctive name means ‘land holder’

134. Tavish - the Scottish alternative to Thomas, which means ‘twin’

Unique Scottish baby girl names 

135. Aileana - simply means 'from the green meadow'. A gorgeous nature baby name

136. Dallis - of Scottish origin, this gender-neutral name means 'from the dales' or can also mean 'the valley meadows' and comes from the Gaelic name Dallas. 

137. Fia -  this name’s meaning is often given as ‘deer’ and can also mean wild. Our Mumsnetters love how beautiful this name sounds

138. Kenna - of Gaelic origin, this is the female form of Kenneth, which means 'fire-born' or 'handsome'

139. Maclean - a gender-neutral name of Scottish origin that means 'son of the servant of John' 

140. Mirren - you may think of it as the surname of the famous actor Helen, but Mirren is a name of Scottish, Irish and Gaelic descent and means ‘drop of the sea', 'bitter', or 'beloved’

141. Morven - meaning ‘big hill’ or ‘large mountain’

142. Nighean - this translates to mean 'the young woman'. It’s pronounced like the male name Ian but with an 'n'

143. Saundra - meaning 'warrior', this name is a variant of the classic Alexandra

144. Sawney - a strong name, this means 'defender of men' 

145. Torra - a rare name steeped in royal connotations, as it translates to mean 'from the castle'

146. Vanora - from Welsh origin, this means 'white wave'

147. Wylie - Game of Thrones star Lena Headey chose this gender-neutral name for her son but it is a popular choice for girls too

Unique Scottish baby boy names 

148. Aonghus - this unusual name is the Gaelic form of 'Angus'

149. Bretton - this name means 'a native of Brittany France', but is actually of Scottish origin

150. Brochan - you can't get more traditional than this meaning as it translates to 'porridge'

151. Brodrick - this name is a descendant of Bruadar and means 'brother'

152. Camdan - it means 'from the winding valley'

153. Dalzell - meaning 'bright' or 'white'

154. Ellair - this Scottish name means 'butler' or 'steward'

155. Eunan - a name that'll keep your baby feeling young for eternity, its meaning is 'born of youth'

156. Fergus - a bold choice for a little boy, this name means 'man of force'

157. Iagan - a name that could be perfect for a little firecracker, it means 'little fire'

158. Kendrix - sounds a little like Kendrick, this Scots name means 'royal chieftain'

159. Leathan - of Scottish and Gaelic meaning, this name means 'river'. Perfect for the outdoorsy type. It has also become a popular baby gender-neutral baby name in recent years

160. Munro - this unique baby name means 'man from River Roe' or 'mouth of the River Roe'

161. Naughton - pronounced like the popular host Graham Norton's surname, this name means 'pure'

162. Neilan - a great and powerful choice for future winners, this name means 'champion'

163. Ossian - this is a masculine name which means 'fawn' and is based on the Gaelic name 'Oisin'. It’s pronounced ush-een

164. Pherson - a Scottish name that simply means to be employed by a parson, which is a member of the clergy

165. Rosston - an alternative to Ross, this name means 'headland or cape'

166. Struan - of Scottish Gaelic origin, meaning ‘little stream’ or ‘small river’ Pronounced stroo-ahn

167. Teigue - meaning poet, this name is actually one of the rarest Scottish names so ideal if you want something truly unique. It’s pronounced tahg

168. Torion - another strong choice meaning 'chief', this name is related to the Gaelic name Torin

Traditional Scottish baby girl names

169. Adair - this gender-neutral name has Old German and Gaelic origins and means ‘oak’. Traditionally a Scottish surname, it can also be used as a first name

170. Aileen - the Scottish spelling of the name Eileen, this means ‘of the moon’

171. Aisla - a variant of Isla, this name is derived from a Scottish island and means ‘elf victory’

172. Catriona - the Gaelic form of the name Catherine, which means ‘pure’. A variation you could also use is Catrine

173. Eithne - meaning ‘kernel’ or ‘grain’, this name is pronounced ‘en-ya’

174. Elspeth - the Scottish form of Elizabeth and means ‘God is my oath’

175. Fiona - a hugely popular Scottish name, it means ‘fair’ or ‘white’. You can also use Fifi or Fi for short

176. Ishbel - a rare but beautiful choice that means ‘light from God’

177. Kirstie - this name enjoyed huge popularity in the 70s, 80s and 90s and is a Scottish pet name for Christine, meaning ‘follower of Christ’

178. Lorna - this name refers to the laurel tree and was actually created by the author R. D. Blackmore for the title character in his 1869 novel Lorna Doone

179. Lindsey - this traditional Scottish name means ‘linden trees by the brook’ or ‘island of linden trees’

180. Mara - this name has a gorgeous meaning as ‘one who is forever beautiful’

181. Mairi - this name is the Gaelic version of ‘Mary’. Pronounced ma-ree, this name has proved popular with our Mumsnetters

182. Morag - one of the most famed traditional names, it comes from the Scots 'mor', meaning great

183. Moyra (or Moira) - a unique spin on the traditional Moira, which means 'star of the sea', this modern and unique spelling is really eye-catching

184. Rhona (or Rona) - this strong name means ‘mighty’ and it's thought to be derived from Rona, the name of a Scottish island

185. Rowan - meaning a type of European tree, also known as Mountain Ash. Many of our Mumsnetters love this name and think it sounds timeless

186. Seonaid - this distinctive name is the Gaelic form of Janet. You can use Shon for short. It’s pronounced like Sinead

187. Susan - a reliable classic that means ‘graceful’ or ‘lily’. Plus, you can use Sue or Susie for short. Some of our Mumsnetters feel Susan is too old for a baby or child but love the shortened options

Traditional Scottish baby boy names 

188. Arran - this name means ‘island dweller’

189. Athol - a classic from the Old Scots that means 'new Ireland'

190. Callan - a slightly unusual name and means ‘battle mighty’ or ‘rock’. You can use Cal for short, which is pretty adorable

191. Callum - this name is of Scottish Gaelic descent and means ‘dove’. It's proved a very popular choice on our forums

192. Donal - a strong choice that means 'world mighty'

193. Douglas - of Gaelic origin, meaning ‘dweller by the dark stream’ or ‘from the dark river’. Many parents opt for Doug for short

194. Drostan - this distinctive name means ‘born of drest'. It's a Scottish or Pictish cognate with Tristan

195. Ewan - the anglicised form of the Scottish Gaelic Eòghan and translates to 'born of yew'

196. Floyd - of Scottish origin, meaning ‘grey-haired’ or ‘flood. Now commonly associated with a certain boxer

197. Gregor - a bold choice meaning ‘alert’ or ‘watchful’. Also a unique shortening of the name Gregory

198. Hamish - an oldie but a classic, this name is actually the Scottish version of James and means ‘supplanter’

199. Ian - you may associate this with one of the longest-serving characters on EastEnders but would you believe Ian also means ‘gracious gift from God’?

200. Innes - coming from the Gaelic ‘aonghas', which means, ‘of the island’

201. Lachlan - a gorgeous choice that means ‘from the land of the lochs’. Some people opt for Lachie for short, which sounds adorable

202. Lyall - this name derives from early Scotland from the Old Norse ‘liulfr’ meaning ‘wolf’

203. Murray - such a quintessential Scottish name, it means ‘lord’ 

204. Sholto - this name may be a little too unique for some but it'll certainly be a rare choice. A name of beginnings, meaning ‘seedsower’, Sholto is both nurturing and different

205. Uist - deriving from another island in Scotland, this takes its name from the second largest island in the Outer Hebrides

What is the rarest name in Scotland?

For a boy, the name Struan is very rare. It was originally derived from the Gaelic word for 'stream' but is also thought to be a territorial name from the Perthshire location of the same name.

For a girl, a rare but beautiful choice is Morven, pronounced phonetically. The Celtic meaning of the name means 'lives by the sea' but the Scottish meaning is ‘big peak’.

How to choose a baby name

For more unusual baby name inspiration or opinions on your baby name ideas, head on over to our Baby Names Talk forum. Or get weekly insight into your pregnancy and baby's development with our Pregnancy newsletter.

About the author

Kat Romero is a writer and journalist hailing from London. After graduating from university in 2011 with a degree in Journalism, she quickly moved into magazines and became the Style News Writer for more! magazine before moving to Closer magazine as their Junior Writer. Here, she progressed to Senior Writer and eventually Acting News Editor.

Kat has also worked across a number of national publications and, during her pregnancy, she had her own column with OK! Magazine discussing the trials and tribulations that come from expecting. She has also written content on baby names for the Daily Express. 

When she's not at her desk, Kat loves to soak up the sights of London with her fiancé and son - exploring museum exhibitions and the many open spaces and parks. Or you'll find her consuming far too much caffeine from some of her beloved coffee shops in her local area of South East London.