Boy name · Hebrew
Hamish
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: supplanter, holder of the heelHamish is a boy's name that comes from Hebrew and means "supplanter, holder of the heel". It is used in Scottish.
- Meaning
- Supplanter, holder of the heel
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Gender
- Boy
- Say it
- HAY-mish
Meaning and origin of Hamish
As a boy's name, Hamish comes from Hebrew and means "supplanter, holder of the heel". It is used in Scottish.
Say it HAY-mish. Respellings are a guide; accents vary by region.
Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names
Hamish on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Hamish on 6 lists.
“The Scottish form, from the Gaelic Seumas”
From Nicknames for James, james in other languages
“Scottish form of James, warm and uncommon”
From Boy dog names, unique male dog names
“Supplanter, holder of the heel; Hebrew. Scottish form of James. Say HAY-mish”
From Classic boy names, classic Irish, Scottish and Welsh boy names
“The Gaelic form of James, a classic for a Highland bull”
From Highland cattle names, scottish bull names for boys
“A Scottish name with plenty of charm”
From Goat names, boy goat names
“English spelling of Sheumais, Gaelic for James: supplanter. Say HAY-mish.”
From Scottish boy names, popular Scottish boy names
How popular is Hamish?
- US rank in 2025
- #6,240
- 14 babies, 8 per million boys
- Best rank
- #4,152 in 2021
- Most babies: 25 in 2017
- Babies since 1981
- At least 364
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 0 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 0 per million |
| 1900s | 0 per million |
| 1910s | 0 per million |
| 1920s | 0 per million |
| 1930s | 0 per million |
| 1940s | 0 per million |
| 1950s | 0 per million |
| 1960s | 0 per million |
| 1970s | 0 per million |
| 1980s | 0 per million |
| 1990s | 1 per million |
| 2000s | 5 per million |
| 2010s | 8 per million |
| 2020s | 10 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #7,313 | #4,154 | #5,870 | #7,841 | #5,542 | #4,152 | #4,609 | #6,666 | #6,006 | #6,240 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.
Other forms of Hamish
The same name in other languages and spellings, with the same meaning and origin.
- GiacomoSupplanter, holder of the heel (Hebrew, boy)
- IakovosSupplanter, holder of the heel (Hebrew, boy)
- JacobSupplanter, holder of the heel (Hebrew, boy)
- JacopoSupplanter, holder of the heel (Hebrew, boy)
- JacquesSupplanter, holder of the heel (Hebrew, boy)
- JakobSupplanter, holder of the heel (Hebrew, boy)
- JakubSupplanter, holder of the heel (Hebrew, boy)
- JamesSupplanter, holder of the heel (Hebrew, boy)
- JamieSupplanter, holder of the heel (Hebrew, unisex)
- JimmySupplanter, holder of the heel (Hebrew, boy)
- KimoSupplanter, holder of the heel (Hebrew, boy)
- SeamusSupplanter, holder of the heel (Hebrew, boy)
Names spelled like Hamish
One or two letters apart, but from a different root: they look alike without sharing a meaning.
- HamidPraiseworthy, commendable (Arabic, boy)
- HarshHappiness (Sanskrit, boy)
Names with a similar meaning
- JacquelineSupplanter, holder of the heel (Hebrew, girl)
- AkivaFrom Yaakov, holder of the heel (Aramaic, boy)
- IakopaSupplanter (Hebrew, boy)
- JackieSupplanter (Hebrew, girl)
- Jacques-YvesSupplanter, plus yew tree (Hebrew and Germanic, boy)
- JamesinaSupplanter, holder of the heel (Hebrew, girl)
- Jean-JacquesGod is gracious, plus supplanter (Hebrew, boy)
- SeumasSupplanter, holder of the heel (Hebrew, boy)
- TiagoSupplanter, holder of the heel (Hebrew, boy)
- YaakovSupplanter, holder of the heel (Hebrew, boy)
Middle names for Hamish
Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a shorter length, so the full name flows.
More boy names from Hebrew
- AdamMan, humankind (Hebrew, boy)
- DavidBeloved one (Hebrew, boy)
- DanielGod is my judge (Hebrew, boy)
- NoahRest, repose (Hebrew, boy)
- EliasMy God is Yahweh (Hebrew, boy)
- GabrielGod is my strength (Hebrew, boy)
- AxelMy father is peace (Hebrew, boy)
- BenjaminSon of the right hand (Hebrew, boy)
- IsaacHe will laugh (Hebrew, boy)
- JanGod is gracious (Hebrew, boy)
Hamish: common questions
What does the name Hamish mean?
Hamish comes from Hebrew and means "supplanter, holder of the heel".
Is Hamish a boy or girl name?
Hamish is mainly a boy's name.
Where does the name Hamish come from?
Hamish comes from Hebrew and means "supplanter, holder of the heel". Today it is used in Scottish.
How do you pronounce Hamish?
Say HAY-mish. Pronunciation can vary between languages and regions.
How popular is the name Hamish?
Hamish ranked #6,240 in the US in 2025, with 14 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
What are other forms of Hamish?
Forms of Hamish with the same meaning and origin include Giacomo (Italian), Iakovos (Greek), Jacob (English), Jacopo (Italian) and Jacques (French).
What middle names go with Hamish?
Middle names that flow well with Hamish include Ansel, Chase, Lance, Louis and Mark. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.