Category Archives: Names

Camden

Names

Origin and Meaning of the Name Camden

Camden is a name that comes from Scotland. This unisex name that is often more popular for boys than girls.

The name Camden is extremely old and first originates from members of the town of Chipping Campden, in Gloucestershire. Its first recorded use, Campedene, in the Domesday Book of 1086 varies from its modern spelling today. The meaning of Camden is derived from its Latin root words which mean enclosure valley. When the name was adopted into Gaelic culture its meaning altered slightly since it denoted someone who came from “the crooked valley”.

Popularity

Camden’s popularity as a boys name continues to grow despite it’s low rankings when compared to more common names. In Scotland for example it is ranked as the 819th most popular boys name (in 2012), where in the US, it is ranked as the 99th most popular male name. Hence this name is a great choice for anyone who wants their child to stand out from the crowd.

Famous People with the Names

There are not too many famous people with the name Camden, the only one of note is Camden Gray an actor who starred in the series Cougar Town and Californication.

Useful Resources

Ronald

Names

Popularity and Origin of Ronald

The name Ronald, 586th most popular boys name in Scotland, was Anglicised in Scotland from the Scandinavian Rongvaldhr. Initially it mutated to the Gaelic Raghnall and later transposed to what we know today as Ronald.

Meaning

The meaning of Ronald in English is Mighty Counselor or Mighty Ruler. In Old Norse Rongvaldhr meant “having the Gods’ power”. It is a quintessential Scottish name although two of the more famous, recent Ronald’s are from the United States of America.

Famous Namesakes

Two of the more famous fictional characters with the name Ronald are Ronald McDonald, the clown mascot of McDonalds, and Ronald Weasley, one of the characters in the Harry Potter series.

Ronald Reagan, former actor and President of the United States, is one of the most famous men to bear the name Ronald. Scotland has its own claim to fame with the name. Ronald Ross, one of the only shinty players to score 1000 goals in the sports history and St. Ronald, a warrior chieftain in Scotland who protected the Orkney Islands.

Useful Resources

Douglas

Names

Meaning and Origin of Douglas

The name Douglas is originally a Scottish name. The first name comes from the last name Douglas. Dark river is the meaning of Douglas. It can also mean dark water, dark blue, or black river. It is most commonly used as a boy’s name. It makes a very nice name for any baby boy.

Popularity

The name Douglas is popular in many countries around the world. In the year 2012 it was 207th most popular baby boy’s name in Scotland. For the U.S.A. Douglas was 540th in popularity, and in England, 314th.

Famous People

Douglas is a common name, a lot of famous people have it as a name. For example the author Douglas Adams, actor Douglas Henshall, and actor Michael Douglas all have it as part of their names.

Summary

The Scottish name Douglas is most commonly used for babies in Scotland, the U.S.A., and in England. This name has been used for a very long time, sense the 16th century. Douglas can be shortened to a few different nicknames. Doug, and Dougie are common nicknames used for people named Douglas. Also Duggie, and Duggy can also be used as a nickname for Douglas. Another way to spell it is Douglass, it is an unusual way to spell Douglas.

Donald

Names

The History of Donald

The name Donald obtained its origin from the powerful Gaelic name ‘Domhnall’. Donald has strong Scotish roots, having been primarily native to the area until around the 20th century when the name started to migrate into other English speaking countries. You may also hear Donald shortened to “Don” or changed to the nickname “Donnie” or “Donny” depending on the spelling.

The Meaning of Donald

The meaning of Donald is “ruler of the world” and this has held true to its character for in the 9th century there were two Scottish kings named Donald. If you look around you probably know a Donald in your own life as its popularity has held out over the years. Some famous Donalds are Los Angeles Clippers Owner Donald Sterling, Former United States Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, colourful entrepreneur Donald Trump, and who can forget the beloved Donald Duck?

Popularity Today

According to Scottish Government Statistics, the name Donald ranked 154th in popularity in Scotland in 2012. While the name has taken a back-seat in recent years to more up & coming, trendier options, “Donald” still holds a notable ranking and has a strong Scottish heritage that will live on for centuries to come.

Useful Resources

You like Donald, then checkout our other Scottish boys’ names here.

Craig

Names

Meaning and Origin of Craig

Craig is a masculine name and the name has two origins. The first meaning of Craig is a derivative of the Scottish Gaelic word creag, which means rock, and possibly started as a nickname for boys with a steady dependable nature. The second meaning of Craig is from the English word crag, which shares its origin with the Gaelic word. Craig is also a surname in Scotland.

Popularity

The name Craig was the 154 most popular baby boys name in Scotland in 2012 (Scottish Government Statistics.) It is a popular name in the English speaking nations.

Famous People Called Craig

There is a long list of celebrities, actors, and athletes with the named Craig. This includes the Scottish-American Actor Craig Ferguson host from CBS’ The Late Late Show, Craig Charles the English Actor and radio DJ, English Singer Craig David, and Craig Bellamy the Welsh footballer.

Indeed the name Craig has often been the birth name of many famous actors, musicians, politicians, writers, artists, and sportsmen. When the name Craig is not the celebrity’s birth name, it has been adopted by those who wish to market themselves as strong and reliable, such as the British singer Craig Douglas. It is a sturdy powerful name.

Useful Resources

Grant

Names

Meaning and Origin of the Name Grant

The name Grant, generally used as a masculine name, has origins as a Scottish and English surname. The meaning of Grant is “large” or “big” was extracted from the French word for “large” which is “grand.” The name is thought to have originated from a nickname for a tall or large bodied individual.

Popularity

According to Scottish Government Statistics in 2012, Grant was the most 337th most popular baby boy’s name in Scotland and is also very popular in various other countries such as England and the United States.

Famous People Called Grant

There are several well known “Grants” throughout history and in modern day society, including a Scottish clan that supported the efforts of the famous William Wallace, musicians and television celebrities such as Grant Gustin and Grant Imahara, athletes such as Grant Holt and Grant Hill, as well as leaders such as American military leader and President Ulysses S Grant. The Scottish Grant clan has a deep, rich history in Scotland and the Grant castle which represents some of the history of the clan can still be visited today.

Useful Resources

Ramsey

Names

Meaning Of Ramsey

The baby name Ramsey has actually become one of the most popular names around. It is commonly heard surname for example Gordon Ramsey (the celebrity chief) or Aaron Ramsey (the international footballer) but it can also be used as a first name. The meaning of Ramsey actually originates in Scottish culture , where it remains a popular name to this day.
The name Ramsey is actually a variation of the name Ramsay that means ‘wild island’.

History of the Name

Ramsay was the name of a Scottish lowland clan and over the centuries fought in Scottish civil wars and the battle for independence.

Popularity

It was the 669th most popular name in Scotland (in 2012). The name Ramsey has seen a lot of use over the past few years, which may encourage parents to try it out for themselves.

In its current form, Ramsey has been adopted in to the English language. It is a predominantly English name, helping it to become an integral component of the culture as well. Parents may choose to change up the name to a certain degree. The form Ramsay has become popular as well, which has added to the variety that people could expect.

Famous People Called Ramsey

There are some famous people around the world who have added to the popularity of Ramsay. Ramsay Campbell is a well known English author of horror fiction. Ramsey Clark is an American lawyer, who has even been involved in a wide variety of legal movements. Ramsey Lewis is an American jazz musician, who has been active within the musical genre for several years now.

Useful Resources

Gordon

Names

Origin Of The Name Gordon

Gordon traditional male name form Scotland. Parents may want to learn a little more about the origins of the name and how the popularity of it has grown over time. This could give them the inspiration that they need to actually understand more about the meaning of Gordon as well. Parents should weigh their options and learn more about the name before they settle on it.

Gordon has been given to a wide variety of people over the years, adding to its overall popularity in a few simple ways. Charles George Gordon made the name popular as his surname, which has helped to build up its reputation as well. This has encouraged the popularity of the name throughout Britain, adding to its overall recognition in a few simple ways.

Popularity

Gordon was the 318th most popular boy’s name in Scotland in 2012.

Famous People Called Gordon

The name Gordon appears in a few different types of popular media as well as in politics. Gordon Brown was the British Prime Minster from Gliffnock in Scotland after he succeeded Tony Blair. Gordon is also a name of a popular Gin in the UK. Gordon Gekko and Gordon Freeman were characters that have popularized the name to a significant degree as well. This has provided a few spin off characters as well, which have been satirized in different forms of media. Parents may draw inspiration from these characters and help them understand more about how they may develop over time.

Useful Resources

Check out our comprehensive list of Scottish boys names.

Glen

Names

Origin and Meaning of the Name Glen/Glenn

The name Glen/Glenn stems from the Scottish/Irish Gaelic word ‘gleann’. In Scotland, a glen is another name for a valley or meadow. The meaning of the name Glen is ‘from the valley’.

Popularity

Glen is the 361st most popular baby boy’s name in Scotland in 2012 (Scottish Government Statistics). The popularity of the name Glen peaked around the 1960s and 1970s, and has since decreased to it’s lowest point. The current trend in baby naming is using vintage names, so the use of the boy’s name Glen could increase in coming years.

Famous people called Glen(n)

There are many famous people with the name Glen. These include Glen Hoddle who is a former English footballer. Another English footballer with the name Glen is Glen Johnson. An American country music star Glen Cambell shares the name as well. Another American musician is Glenn Miller who was famous around the sing era.

Glen/Glenn can also be a last name, and variations of it are Glyn and Glynn. In female form, the name Glen is spelled Glenna, but can also just be used without adding an ‘a’ on the end. A famous American actress with the name Glenn is Glenn Close.

Useful Resources

Gavin

Names

The meaning of the name Gavin

Gavin is a popular Celtic name with a strong association with Scotland, however the name was originally a male given name that originates from Gawain which is linked to the Welsh name Gwalchgwn that means means “White Hawk”.

The name Gawain  dates back to the 6th century and the tales of King Arthur, more specifically from a poem called “Sir Fawain and the Green Knight”. Gavin also shares the ancient Italian name, Gavino. Gavino was another noteworthy name back in the 1800’s.

Popularity

The boy’s name Gavin’s popularity had begun to skyrocket in the USA in the early 1950’s to the present day. In the England and Wales the name recently decreased in popularity. However the name in Scotland was the 282th most popular boy’s name in 2012.

Famous People with the Name Gavin

There are also quite a few notable and successful people that also share the same name. These names are:

Gavin Crawford, who is a comedian and actor, Gavin Rossdale, the lead singer of the popular rock band named Bush, Gavin Stephens, who is a Canadian comedian, a writer and actor, and Gavin Strang, who is a politician in the UK, but the most famous Scott with the name Gavin must be Gavin Hastings.

Useful Resources

Neil

Names

Origin and meaning of the Scottish Name Neil

The name Neil was taken from the name Nicholas. The could also be related to Niall. Throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland the name has many. In Scotland the meaning of Neil is could or passionate. Neil can be pronounced or spelled 18 different ways. A few are Neal, Nial, and, Neall.

Popularity

Neil is a popular name in the Scotland. Neil’s popularity rate was at a all time high in 2012. The name was 252nd most popular name in Scotland at that time according to Scotland Government Statistics.

Famous People Called Neil

Throughout history there have been many famous Neil’s that added to Neil’s popularity rating.
Neil Cochran is one of Scotland’s famous Neil’s. Cochran was born in 1965 and has since became a Olympic super statdom. Cochran placed bronze in two events during the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. He also place gold at the Summer Universiade Zagred 200 m medley.

Neil McGunn was another famous Neil from Scotland. McGunn was born in 1891 and died in 1973. During his career he wrote 20 novels. Specialising in fiction McGunn wrote stories that related to his childhood and youth growing up in Scotland. Throughout his career he was highly praised for work. In 1937 he was awarded the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for the fiction genres. One of his popular books is Highland River.

Useful Resources

Ainsley

Names

Ainsley- Origin and Meaning

In Scotland the name Ainsley which is pronounced (AYNS-lee) is a popular surname or last name. The surname comes from a very powerful and established family that borders the Scottish land. The Gaelic origin of the name goes back to the 11th century where it is derived from the old English words meaning “ones own meadow”.

Popularity of the Name

Ainsley is considered to be more of a masculine name, but in recent years the popularity of this name has grown amongst the girl population. Ainsley has grown popular by celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott as well as a female character on the tv show west wing.In Scotland the name is popular among little boys but in the United States the name does not even get on the popularity charts for boys names, however, it does make the charts for girls names. The name Ainsley has only increasingly become popular for girls since 2001, but has remained a consistent choice as a boy’s name in Britain.

Useful Resources

Charlie

Names

Meaning and Origin of the Scottish Boy’s Name Charlie

One of the most well known and frequently used names in the world is Charlie. The Scottish Government Statics reported the name Charlie the 12th most popular boy’s name in 2012 and many people from Charlie Sheen to Charlie Chaplin and many others have shared this namesake.

A popular Charlie amongst children is the unforgettable Charlie Brown, from the comic strip “Peanuts”, brought to life by yet another well know Charlie (Charles) Schulz.

Charlie is actually a diminutive (or pet name) of the surname Charles. A diminutive of any given name is a short or affectionate form that often is used only by friends and relatives. Diminutives are sometimes formed by adding a suffix to the original name and the -y/-ie suffix is very common, leading to pet names like Charlie. Although this is such a widely used name throughout Scotland, the exact meaning of Charlie is often disagreed upon within varying groups of people. The most accepted meaning of the name Charlie is “free man” and with so many Charlies out there,  no one would disagree that every “free man” is free to forever continue passing this endearing namesake onto future generations.

Useful Resources

Ray

Names

Meaning and Origin of the Name Ray

The name Ray is often used a nickname for the name Raymond, but can stand alone as a first men. The meaning of Ray is for someone who lives by a grove. However, the name has many meanings in other languages and cultures. For example, the American,meaning of Ray is grace and in French meaning of the name is Raygal.

Popularity

In recent years Ray has not been a popular name in the U.K. recent birth records (2012) the name was used 59 times in the United Kingdom. The name Ray may not be popular but there are a few famous Ray’s, Ray Parker is one of then. The actor/martial artist was born in Glasgow, Scotland; Parker is famous for playing Darth Mual Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace.

Famous People Called Ray

Ray Hedges is another famous Ray from United Kingdom. The record producer 60 plus song and albums in the top twenty; this includes seven number one hit recordings. Hedges has worked with many of the top recording artist in United Kingdom including Emma Burton and Daniel Bedingfield and Gene Simmons from Kiss.

Useful Resources

Bruce

Names

Bruce: Derived from Scotland and into the Americas

The name Bruce is very interesting for many reasons. In Scotland, the name Bruce is a traditional and common name for babies. This may have something to do with the rich history of the land. In the 14th century Scotland, the name Bruce was made very popular by King Robert (the Bruce). He was known for his patience because of his ability to sit and watch spiders spin webs.  More recently it was the 39th most popular name for boys in Scotland in 2012 and it is now very popular in the United States as well.

What is the meaning of Bruce?

The most well known meaning of Bruce is “thick brush”. The name originally arrived in Scotland by way of the Normans. It’s traditional meaning at that time was “the Willowlands”.

Famous People Called Bruce

There are several entertainers named Bruce, including Bruce Springfield and Bruce Lee. These wildly popular men were strong and prominent figures in their industry; Bruce Springfield being a rock musician and singer and Bruce Lee being a Martial Arts master. Bruce Willis is also a very outstanding actor that is blessed with this popular name. This actor can be seen in the film, “Die Hard”.

Considering the name “Bruce” is such a common name, no wonder it is so popular. We must thank the Scottish for making this title a traditional household name.

Useful Resources