Nickname help!
We want to name our baby Penelope but we can’t decide on a nickname? Help!
Scottish baby girl names never fail to conjure up the history, language, and mythology of Scotland. In fact, many of these beautiful and memorable names hark back to the people, places, and features that make the country so special. From heroes and queens to rivers and islands, you’re spoiled for choice.
So, if you want to honor your family’s Scots heritage, or you’re simply looking for a unique baby name for your little lass, choosing a Scottish girl name is a great choice. And here, we’ve compiled the ultimate list of Scottish baby girl names to help you decide.
In this article: 📝
- Popular Scottish girl names and meanings
- What are good Scottish girl names?
- How about Scottish Gaelic girl names?
- Get more baby-naming inspiration with Peanut
Popular Scottish girl names and meanings
According to the National Records of Scotland, the top ten names for girls in Scotland for 2020 includes Emily, Amelia, Grace, Ava, and Lily. These classic girl names hold a universal appeal that isn’t fading anytime soon!
But if you’re looking to learn more about names that are rich in Scottish history and tradition, look no further. Read on to discover the most popular Scottish baby girl names and their meanings:
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Isla: Taking the top spot for 2020, this natural name is inspired by the majestic River Isla that flows through the Grampians in northern Scotland. If you listen closely, you can almost hear the lapping of the waves on the island of Islay, which is where this name originates. Bliss.
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Olivia: Branch out with this ancient Scottish name, meaning “olive tree.” It’s thought that the Scottish origin of Olivia comes from the Old Norse name Oleifr. The earliest version of the name was written in 1086 in the Domesday book, so we can safely say it’s a traditional Scottish girl’s name.
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Ella: Conjuring up images of glens and mystical landscapes, this popular name means “light” or “beautiful fairy woman.” Fitting for a little girl!
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Sophie: A popular choice of name across the globe, Sophie is an anglicized version of Sophia, and its Scottish origins lie in the Gaelic name Beathag, which means “wise and intelligent.”
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Freya: Sharing Scottish and Norse roots, the name Freya is associated with the goddess of love and maternity. This name is considered a highly feminine choice within classical mythology as translated it means “lady.” As far as cute Scottish girl names go, this one’s a winner.
What are good Scottish girl names?
When it comes to finding the perfect name for your little girl, there’s an incredible amount of choice out there, Scottish or otherwise.
To help make your search a little easier, we’ve made a list of our favorite Scottish female names below, sorted into alphabetical order. Scroll on and enjoy!
Scottish baby girl names: A-E
- Abigail
- Ada
- Aila
- Ailsa
- Alba (Meaning “white” in Latin, it’s also the Scottish Gaelic name for Scotland.)
- Alexandra
- Amber
- Amy
- Annie
- Arabella
- Arya (With the success of Game of Thrones it’s little wonder this particular name is so popular!)
- Aurora. (This name is inspired by the infamous “Northern Lights” or aurora borealis, which can sometimes be seen in this beautiful part of the world.)
- Bella
- Bethany
- Billie
- Blake
- Bonnie (In the Scots language the word “bonnie” means pretty. You may have heard people using the term “bonnie lass.”)
- Brooke
- Cali
- Callie (Callie could stem from “Caledonia,” the ancient name for Scotland. Callie means “from the forest.”)
- Cara
- Charlotte
- Chloe
- Clara
- Connie
- Cora
- Daisy
- Darcey
- Darcie
- Darcy
- Eden
- Edith
- Effie
- Eleanor
Elena - Eliza
- Elizabeth
- Eloise
- Elsie
- Emilie
- Emma
- Erin
- Esme
- Eva
- Eve
- Evelyn
- Evie
Scottish baby girl names: F-N
- Faith
- Fiadh
- Flora
- Florence
- Francesca
- Gabriella
- Georgie
- Gracie
- Halle
- Hallie
- Hanna
- Hannah
- Harley
- Harlow
- Harper
- Harriet
- Hayley
- Hazel
- Heidi
- Hollie
- Holly
- Hope
- Imogen
- Indie
- Iris
- Isabella (Strike a regal tone with Isabella, one of the most common names for the Queens of Scotland throughout history.)
- Isobel
- Ivy
- Jasmine
- Jessica
- Julia
- Katie
- Kayla
- Keira
- Lacey
- Lana
- Lara
- Layla
- Leah
- Lena
- Lillie
- Lola
- Lottie
- Lucia
- Lucie
- Lucy
- Luna
- Lyla
- Lyra
- Maddison
- Maeve (Meaning “intoxicating,” Maeve has accelerated in popularity, climbing 130 places in Scotland since 2019!)
- Maisie
- Maja
- Maria
- Marnie
- Matilda
- Maya
- Megan
- Mia
- Mila
- Millie
- Mirren
- Mollie
- Molly
- Mya
- Myla
- Naomi
- Niamh
- Nina
- Nora
- Norah
- Nova
Scottish baby girl names: O-Z
- Orla
- Orlagh
- Paige
- Paisley
- Penelope
- Penny
- Peyton
- Phoebe
- Piper
- Pippa
- Poppy
- Quinn
- Rebecca
- Remi
- Riley
- Robyn
- Rosa
- Rose
- Rosie
- Ruby
- Sadie (From the Hebrew word “Sarai” meaning “Queen” or “Princess,” Sadie is most popular in Scotland as a pet name for “Sarah.”)
- Sara
- Sarah
- Scarlett
- Sienna
- Skylar
- Sofia
- Sophia
- Summer
- Thea
- Victoria
- Violet
- Willow
- Zara
- Zoe
How about Scottish Gaelic girl names?
Scottish Gaelic is an important part of the country’s linguistic and cultural heritage. It’s the native language of Scotland, and while only around 1% of the Scottish population speak Gaelic today, its influence is far-reaching. This is particularly true in the Highlands and Islands, where many of the most popular Scottish girl’s names were born.
So, to round off our list, here are a few popular Gaelic names we think you’ll love:
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Eilidh: We all know how important the sun is, especially in the Northern Hemisphere! To be given this name, which means ‘sun’ or ‘radiant one,’ is a sure sign of good luck and prosperity.
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Skye: Named after the largest of the Inner Hebrides isles, Skye’s Gaelic name means ‘island of the mist’ and is home to diverse wildlife and stunning peaks. Famous fiction writer Neil Gaiman also has a house here!
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Iona: The holy isle of Iona is situated in the Inner Hebrides and housed a monastery for St Columba and his followers, still visited by pilgrims today.
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Rowan: This botanical name rolls off the tongue. With links to the rowan tree, it means “ash red” in Gaelic.
Get more baby-naming inspiration with Peanut
There you have it! Some of the best Scottish girl names for your little lass.
Are you still hunting for the perfect name? Complete your tour of the UK & Ireland with these 92 English names for girls, these 75 Welsh baby girl names, and these 87 Irish baby girl names.
Or, if you want a second, third, or fourth opinion, share your current favorite names with your fellow mamas-to-be on Peanut.