Scottish Girl Names

Scottish girl names are a diverse group.... but they're all rich with the history, traditions and culture of this small but colorful country.

Some are historically Scottish and have their roots in ancient Celtic or Gaelic culture.

Examples include Eilidh (the Scottish Gaelic representation of Helen, meaning 'light'), Iona (after the Inner Hebridean island of Iona) and Seonaid (Scottish Gaelic form of Janet, meaning 'God's gracious gift').

Others originate in countries whose own history has touched that of Scotland, including those of Olde English, Norse and Anglo-Saxon descent.

Of course, Scottish parents don't always pick traditional names for their little ones, as any relatively recent list of the most popular Scottish baby names will show!

For example, Olivia and Emily have been in the top five Scottish girls names consistently for several years, along with the more traditional Isla.

You can see the top twenty girls names (according to National Records of Scotland) for several recent years, including 2022, below.

As a mom I know that there were many things to think about when choosing my children's names! The name itself had to sound and feel right, as did the meaning behind it.

So on this page you'll find a hand-picked selection of Scottish baby girl names, complete with cultural origins and meanings to help you pick the perfect 'fit' for your little one.

Beautiful baby girl wearing flowered head band

Naming Traditions For Girls In Scotland

You'll see that some of the Scottish girl names on this list have the suffix 'ina'. This is a uniquely Scottish trait!

Cute toddler girl in polka dot hat with big smile for the camera

It was traditional to add these three letters to the end of a boys name to turn it into the feminine version.

And sometimes the name would then just be shortened to 'Ina', resulting in a lot of 'Inas' all with different forenames. A little confusing at times.

In Scotland, first names are know as forenames, and last names as surnames. Honoring relatives and ancestors is important and even today some Scots follow traditional Scottish naming practices, while many more simply choose names of parents, grandparents or other relatives.

Having a middle name is common, and favorite family names are often passed on to the next generations this way.

Many Scottish last names, especially clan names, work well as first names too!

If you'd like to learn more about the naming culture in Scotland CLICK HERE (link will open in a new window).

Name	Origin & Meaning
Adamina	*Hebrew* Feminine form of Adam, meaning 'formed of the red earth'
Agnes	*Greek* Meaning 'chaste' or 'holy'. First recorded during 14th century. Sometimes became 'Nancy'
Ailsa	*Old German* Meaning 'noble maiden'.
Aileen	*Gaelic* From the Gaelic 'Eilidh' meaning 'rays of sunshine'. Sometimes became Eilean or Ilene.
Ailith	*Olde English* Meaning 'seasoned warrior'
Ainslie	*Olde English* Meaning 'hermitage meadow'. Also Scottish surname
Alana	*Gaelic* Meaning 'beautiful'
Alison	*Old German* Meaning 'noble sort' or 'nobility'. First recorded during 12th century
Ann	*Hebrew* Meaning 'graceful'.
Annag	*Gaelic* Scottish Gaelic form of Anna. Meaning 'graceful' or 'grace'.
Annis	*Gaelic* Scottish Gaelic form of Agnes. Meaning 'chaste' or 'holy'.
Arabel	*Roman* Meaning 'prayerful'.
Barbara	*Greek* Meaning 'strange' or 'foreign'.
Blair	Gaelic Meaning 'field', 'plain' or 'battlefield'. A unisex name first recorded during 12th century.
Bridget	*Gaelic* From Irish Celtic. After a Celtic Goddess. Meaning 'power' or 'strength'.
Cairstine	*Gaelic* Scottish Gaelic form of Christina. Meaning 'believer or follower of Christ'.
Catriona	*Gaelic* Scottish Gaelic form of Catherine, meaning 'pure'. Dates back to the time of the Crusaders.
Davina	*Hebrew* Feminine form of David, meaning 'beloved'.
Donalda	*Gaelic* Feminine form of Donald, meaning 'world ruler'
Deoiridh	*Gaelic* Scottish Gaelic, meaning 'pilgrim'.
Elspeth	*Scottish* Scottish variant of the Hebrew Elizabeth, meaning 'God is my oath'.
Emilia	*Roman* Meaning 'winning'. Often seen as Emily.
Fenella	*Gaelic* Meaning 'white shoulders' or 'fair shoulders'.
Fiona	*Gaelic* From Irish Gaelic meaning 'fair one' or 'white'.
Flora	*Italian* Meaning 'flower'. Was a popular name in the Scottish Highlands.
Heather	*Anglo Saxon* Meaning 'as the heather'. Popular due to native Scottish plant with the same name.
Hilda	*Old German* Meaning 'battle maid' or 'woman of battle'.
Gavina	*Celtic* Feminine form of Gavin, meaning 'white hawk' or 'hawk woman'.
Greer	*Scottish* Unisex name derived from the Scottish surname, meaning 'watchful' or 'vigilant'.
Innis	Gaelic Unisex name, from the Gaelic 'inis' meaning 'island'.
Isla	*Olde English* From Scottish word 'Islay' meaning island.
Isobel	*European* From Spanish Isobella, meaning 'God is my oath' or 'Gods' consecrated'. Came to Scotland from Europe in 13th century.
Jamesina	*European* Scottish feminine form of James (Spanish), meaning 'supplanter'.
Jean	*French* Scottish form of Jeanne, meaning 'God is gracious'. Popular for centuries.
Kirstine	*Scottish* Scottish form of Christine, meaning 'believer or follower of Christ'. Often shortened to Kirsty. (Also see Cairistine).
Lachina	*Norwegian* Feminine form of Lachlan, meaning 'lake land' or 'land of lochs'.
Lyall	*Old Norse* Unisex name, from Scottish surname. Meaning 'shield wolf'.
Margaret	*Greek* Meaning 'precious' or 'pearl'. Became popular during 11th century.
Mairi	*Hebrew* Scottish version of Mary, meaning 'bitter'. Also written as Mhairi.
Morag	*Gaelic* Scottish version of Sarah, meaning 'princess'
Murdina	*Celtic* Feminine form of Murdoch, meaning 'warrior of the sea'.
Rhona	*Old Norman* Meaning 'wise ruler'. Dates back to 7th century.
Sorcha	*Gaelic* Meaning 'radiant'.
Thomasina	*Hebrew* Feminine version of Thomas, meaning 'twin'.
Una	*Gaelic* Irish Gaelic originally. Meaning 'famine or hunger'.

Here are the Top 20 Scottish Girls Names for 2017 recorded by the National Records of Scotland website

1. Olivia

2. Emily

3. Isla

4. Sophie

5. Jessica

6. Amelia

7. Ava

8. Ella

9. Charlotte

10. Aria

11. Lily (tied with Lucy)

11. Lucy (tied with Lily)

13. Freya

14. Grace

15. Ellie

16. Evie

17. Sophia

18. Harper (new addition)

19. Hannah (new addition)

20. Millie

According to the National Records of Scotland not a whole lot changed for 2018, but there are a couple of new additions (while Millie and Hannah drop out of the top 20.

So, the list of the most popular girls names in Scotland for 2018 is:

1. Olivia

2. Emily

3. Isla

4. Sophie

5. Amelia

6. Ella

7. Ava

8. Grace

9. Aria

10. Jessica

11. Charlotte

12. Sophie

13. Lily

14. Lucy

15. Freya

16. Evie

17. Harper

18. Ellie

19. Eilidh (new addition. Pronounced Ay-lee)

20. Mia (new addition)

Taking a look at the most popular Scottish girl names for 2020 you can see below that Olivia has been toppled from the #1 spot, and replaced with Isla. This is the first time Isla has been in the number one spot.

1. Isla

2. Olivia

3. Emily

4. Freya

5. Ava

6. Sophie

7. Ella

8. Grace

9. Amelia

10. Lily

11. Sophia

12. Charlotte

13. Evie

14. Millie

15. Maisie (new addition)

16. Rosie

17. Mia

18. Jessica

19. Aria & Ellie (tied)

If you want to see which girl names are popular in Scotland right now, here's a list of the Top 20 Scottish Girl Names in 2022 (according to the National Records of Scotland website) Notice Olivia is back in it's traditional number one position!

1. Olivia

2. Isla

3. Freya

4. Millie

5. Emily

6. Amelia

7. Grace

8. Sophie

9. Ella

10. Ava

11. Lily

12. Charlotte