The Name Finlay Comes With Strength

The Scottish name Finlay is typically given to a baby boy by his parents who want their son to understand that his name comes from talented people before him thereby he also can do great things in life.

Meaning and Origin

The meaning of Finlay is derived in the Scottish language from the word fin meaning white hair and lay which stands for warrior. It is this meaning of white haired warrior that gives such distinguished recognition to the name Finlay that it is comes to no surprise how there are several men which carry the Finlay name either as a first name or surname.

With the meaning of Finlay standing out the way that it does the Scottish performers of the arts Finlay Dunn and Ian Hamilton Finlay always come to mind whenever someone hears this great name. That is because these men overcame many obstacles in their day of performing thereby enriching their name whether it is the first or surname of what it overall means. Both the name and meaning of Finlay has grown in such popularity that boys from all over are being given this name as their first name and for those that received it as a surname will typically be given the nickname of Finn By using the name of Finn for someone whose surname is Finlay this is the acknowledgement of the greatness that their name comes with in life.

Useful Resources

• Our comprehensive list of Scottish Boys Names.
• Expecting a baby? See  these Hot Offers on Baby products.

The Meaning and Origin of Robert

The name Robert has Germanic roots and comes from the German word Hruodberht. The Robert meaning is “bright with glory.” The Robert meaning can also be broken down as a compound of the word hruod which means “fame, glory,” and the word berth which means “bright.” The name is not limited to being a first name, and can also be used as a surname. Robert’s popularity rose quickly across Europe and spread across England, except using the French spelling.

Popularity of Robert

Robert’s popularity has continued to soar as some of the most well-known celebrities are named Robert. This includes: Robert Pattinson, Robert Downey Jr., Robert De Niro, and Robert Kardashian. This name has strong links with Scotland as it was the name of three Kings of Scotland including ‘Robert the Bruce’.

According to the total population census of 1990, Robert was the 3rd most popular name in the United States, while Robert is the 60th most popular baby boy’s name in Scotland as of 2013.

Robert as a given name continues to grow around the globe, possibly because of the Robert meaning. When people were asked of what they thought of the name Robert and Robert’s popularity, they answered that people named Robert are sweet, caring individuals who put others before themselves, and the type of person who is not too afraid to tell you how they feel.

Useful Resources

• Our comprehensive list of Scottish boys names.

Elliot Name and Meaning

If you’re having a baby soon, you may have considered the name Elliot. While the name is generally familiar, it is still considered somewhat unique, as it was not included in the 100 most popular name for boys in Scotland in 2012, according to Scottish Government Statistics.

The meaning of Elliot is “Jehovah is God,” as the name is the Greek form of Elijah, a Hebrew name. Elliot is also a name of French origin that translates to “believes in God.” According to character analyses about the name, people with the name of Elliot tend to be leaders instead of followers, are especially creative and work with others to achieve harmony.

Famous People

Famous people with the name Elliot include Elliott Gould, an actor who has been working since the 1960s. Gould lives up to his name, as he is creative and plays a number of characters convincingly. Elliot Smith was another notable individual with this distinguished name. The singer and songwriter was known for his indie rock and indie pop creative work as a vocalist and guitar player.

Useful Resources

• Our comprehensive list of Scottish boys name.

The Boys’ Name Alan

Before being brought to Scotland in the 11th century by the Bretons, the male name Alan means “for a fox” and refers to dexterity and grace, comparing the attribute of the fox to the graceful fleetness of the swift fox or deer. It is a name dappled with the energies of sunshine and yet also seemingly neutral in tone. It is not that common a name for 2013, which makes it appealing for those wishing, intentionally to buck trends, and honor traditional western energies.

The name also is a commonly used botanic term, a reference, actually, to the plant elecampane, which is known colloquially as coltsfoot. As mentioned above, in Breton, the name literally was the name for the animal known as fox itself, and later more connotations were added, extending the name to reflect the myriad energies of other animals like that of the deer. Additionally, the root of the name Alan also harkens back to the names Elanus, Elaesus, or Ela, all traditional in the mythologies for gods.

Useful Resources

Our comprehensive list of Scottish boys names.

Henry’s Meaning and Origin

The name Henry has deep roots in Scottish history, originating from the Old French name Henri, which was brought to Britain by the Normans. The name itself means “ruler of the household” or “home ruler”. In Scotland, it was adopted into Scottish Gaelic as Eanraig or Eanruig

The name Henry comes from the German name Haimric later spelled Heinrich. It was the name of the seven kings of Germany. The name Henry origins also derives from the Old French name, Henri.

The name was introduced to England, and later Scotland, by the Normans, who brought it with them during the Norman invasions in the 11th century.

The meaning of Henry is said to be “home ruler” and this name was often given to royalty, including eight English kings.

Other royalty with the name Henry are Henry, Bishop of Uppsala, Henry I the Bearded, High Duke of Poland, as well as Prince Henry of Wales.

In English-speaking countries, Henry is closely related to the name Harry. Many times when a boy’s written name was Henry, it was pronounced Harry.

Popularity

In 2022, Henry was the 98th most popular boys’ name in Scotland. This reflects its enduring appeal and timeless nature.

Notable figures

Several notable individuals have carried the name, Henry, contributing to Scotland’s rich history:

Robert Henry (1718-1790): A prominent Scottish historian, renowned for his monumental work “The History of Great Britain,” spanning the period from the Roman invasion to the death of Henry VIII. This comprehensive work remains a valuable resource for understanding early British history.

James Henry (1798-1876): While not directly Scottish, James Henry’s contributions as an Irish classical scholar and poet had a significant influence on the broader Celtic scholarly community. His work helped to foster a deeper appreciation for the rich literary and cultural heritage of the Celtic peoples.

Famous Athletes: The name Henry is also associated with several notable athletes, including:

• Henry “Hank” Aaron: An American baseball legend and a key figure in the civil rights movement. His record-breaking home run total of 755 stood for decades.
• Henry Menzies: A Scottish rugby player who represented his country on multiple occasions.

Other Notable Henrys:

Henry Hudson: An English sea explorer who made several voyages to North America in search of a Northwest Passage. He is known for his exploration of the Hudson River and Hudson Bay.

Henry Ford: An American industrialist and the founder of the Ford Motor Company. His development of the assembly line revolutionised mass production and transportation.

Summary

The name Henry carries a legacy of historical importance and cultural heritage in Scotland. From its Norman origins to its establishment in Scottish society, the name has been associated with notable figures and significant events throughout history.

Useful Resources

• Comprehensive list of Scottish boys names.

The Scottish baby name Graham is becoming increasingly popular. A person with the name Graham is creative and good at expressing themselves. They are frequently found in arts industries as they are very creative. One of the best-known Grahams is the inventor of the telephone, Alexander Graham Bell, whilst a more recent celebrity is the presenter Graham Norton.

Meaning of the Name

Graham has many different meanings depending upon the source of the information, Graham in Latin and American is grain. In Scotland, it means either Grant’s homestead or gravel home.

The Anglo-Saxon meaning is warring and the more modern English meaning of the name is from the great meadow farm home or grand homestead.

Origin of the Name

The origin of Graham comes from the Manor Grantham in Lincolnshire which is listed in the 1086 Domesday book as Graham and Grandham. Grantham is gravelly homestead or Granta’s homestead in Old English. Sir William de Graham originally brought the name Graham to Scotland from England in the 12th century. He founded the Clan Graham in Scotland. Graham was one of the knights who accompanied King David 1 when he claimed the throne in Scotland.

Notable people

Several notable individuals have borne the name Graham, contributing to various fields:

• James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose (1612-1650): A Scottish nobleman and soldier who played a prominent role in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms.
• John Graham of Claverhouse, 1st Viscount Dundee (1648-1689): Known as “Bonnie Dundee,” he was a Scottish soldier and nobleman who supported King James VII during the Jacobite uprising3.
• Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922): Although not directly related to the Scottish Grahams, he was a Scottish-born inventor best known for inventing the telephone.

The Graham family has a rich history in Scotland. The first recorded member of the Graham Clan in Scotland was William de Graham, who was granted lands by King David I in 11283. The Grahams played significant roles in Scottish history, including Sir John de Graham, a close companion of the Scottish patriot Sir William Wallace, who was killed at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298.

Conclusion

The name Graham carries a legacy of historical importance and cultural heritage. From its origins in the gravelly homesteads of England to its establishment in Scotland, the name has been associated with notable figures and significant events throughout history.

Useful Resources

• Our complete list of Scottish boys’ names.

Scottish Name Andy

The name Andy is a friendly and familiar term used throughout the world. While it’s not a traditionally Scottish name, it is a popular nickname for a classic Scottish name: Andrew.

Origin and Meaning

The name Andy [An-Dee] is a common derivative of the masculine Andrew, of both Greek and English origins. Meanings associated with Andy include “manly”, “courageous”, “strong”, and “warrior.”

Greek Roots: The name Andrew originates from the ancient Greek word “andreios,” meaning “manly” or “brave.”

Scottish Connection: Saint Andrew, one of the twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ, is considered the patron saint of Scotland. The association with this revered figure likely contributed to the enduring popularity of the name Andrew in Scotland.

The Nickname Emerges: The “-ie” ending is a common diminutive suffix in Scottish names. Applying this to Andrew, we get “Andy,” a casual and affectionate way to address someone named Andrew.

Honoring Tradition: Choosing “Andy” as a nickname for an Andrew carries a sense of honoring Scottish heritage and the importance of Saint Andrew.

Variations of the name Andy

• Andrew (English)
• Andrea (Italian)
• Andres (Estonian)
• Andre (French)

Traits often associated with those named Andy

• Wealthy
• Achiever
• Powerful
• Problem-solver
• Authoritative

Popularity of the Name

While Andy as a standalone first name didn’t manage to crack the Top 100 most favorite baby names in Scotland in 2022 (only 2 babies were given the name Andy), it makes it a unique choice that could stand out amid the slew of more popular names traditionally chosen in any given year or decade.

Famous People

Famous Andy’s around the world include Andy Warhol (American artist), Andy Carroll (English striker), Andy Lee (Australian comedian), Andy Samberg (American actor), Andy Griffith (American actor), Andy Serkis (British actor), Andy Van Hellemond (Canadian hockey player), and Andy McNab (English novelist).

Literary references to the name Andy include Andy Capp, the cartoon character created by Reg Smythe, a British cartoonist, Andy and His Yellow Frisbee by Mary Thompson, and Andy and the Lion by James Daugherty, the reinvention of the famed story of Androcles and the Lion.

Useful Resources

• Our list of Scottish boys’ names, is a great place to start if you’re looking for a baby name.
• Get Hot offers on baby products at low prices.