Skip to content
NomezoNomezo

Scottish girl names: 120+ Gaelic and Scots names with meanings

121 names · Updated · By The Nomezo Editors · Save to Pinterest

Popular Scottish girl names include Isla, Maisie and Bonnie, and Freya, an Old Norse name meaning lady, was Scotland's most popular girls' name in 2025. Gaelic classics such as Mòrag (MOR-ak) and Seonag (SHO-nak) carry centuries of Highland history.

Below are 121 Scottish girl names, each with its meaning and origin, and a pronunciation for every Gaelic name. They are grouped into popular names, native Scottish Gaelic names, Gaelic forms of classic names, Scots and anglicized favorites, names from Scottish history, feminine forms of boys' names and place and clan names. Some famous names, such as Mhairi and Eilidh, are left out because the meaning of the name they come from is uncertain.

Can't decide? Shuffle 6 random picks

  • Elsie

    Scots pet form of Elspeth: God is my oath.

  • Davina

    Scottish feminine of David, meaning beloved; Hebrew origin. Say da-VEE-na.

  • Malina

    Feminine of Malcolm: devotee of Saint Columba. Say ma-LEE-na.

  • Peigi

    Scottish Gaelic form of Peggy, from Margaret: pearl. Say PEG-ee.

  • Morag

    English spelling of the Gaelic name meaning great one. Say MOR-ag.

  • Aileas

    Scottish Gaelic form of Alice, meaning noble kind. Say AL-as.

Scottish name tools

Find the Gaelic form of a first name, see a clan surname in Gaelic for a man and for a woman, and work out the names the old Scottish naming pattern gives a family's children.

Gaelic and English first names

  • Alasdair · Alexander, Alistair · man
  • Aonghas · Angus, Aeneas, Innes · man
  • Coinneach · Kenneth · man
  • Dòmhnall · Donald · man
  • Dùghall · Dougal · man
  • Eachann · Hector · man
  • Eòin · John · man
  • Fearchar · Farquhar · man
  • Gilleasbaig · Archibald, Gillespie · man
  • Iain · John, Ian · man
  • Raghnall · Ranald, Ronald · man
  • Ruairidh · Rory, Roderick, Derrick · manSay ROO-uh-ree
  • Seumas · James, Hamish · manSay SHAY-muss
  • Somhairle · Sorley, Somerled, Samuel · man
  • Torcall · Torquil · man
  • Tormod · Norman · man
  • Aileas · Alice · woman
  • Anabla · Annabella · woman
  • Annag · Annie, Anna · woman
  • Barabal · Barbara · woman
  • Beasag · Bessie · woman
  • Brìde · Bridget · woman
  • Cairistìona · Christina · woman
  • Catrìona · Catherine, Catriona · womanSay kuh-TREE-uh-nuh
  • Ciorstaidh · Kirsty · woman
  • Ealasaid · Elizabeth · woman
  • Eilidh · Helen, Ellen, Ellie, Ailie · womanSay AY-lee
  • Eubh · Eve · woman
  • Fionnaghal · Flora, Fiona, Fenella · woman
  • Floireans · Florence · woman
  • Flòraidh · Flora · woman
  • Iseabail · Isabel, Isobel, Ishbel · woman
  • Labhra · Laura · woman
  • Leitis · Letitia · woman
  • Lìosa · Lisa · woman
  • Magaidh · Maggie · woman
  • Mairead · Margaret · woman
  • Màiri · Mary, Mhairi · womanSay MAH-ree
  • Marsaili · Marcella, Marjorie · woman
  • Marta · Martha · woman
  • Moibeal · Mabel · woman
  • Mòrag · Morag, Marion, Sarah · woman
  • Muireall · Muriel · woman
  • Oighrig · Effie, Euphemia, Henrietta, Erica · woman
  • Olibhia · Olivia · woman
  • Peigi · Peggy · woman
  • Seonag · Joan, Shona · womanSay SHO-nak
  • Seònaid · Janet, Jessie, Shona, Seona · woman
  • Simeag · Jemima · woman
  • Sìne · Jane, Jean, Sheena · woman
  • Siubhan · Joan · woman
  • Siùsan · Susan · woman
  • Teasag · Jessie · woman

Hamish and Mhairi come from the Gaelic vocative, the form used to call someone: a Sheumais, a Mhàiri. Pronunciations are given only where a source records them.

A surname in Gaelic, for a man or a woman

A man
MacDhòmhnaill
A woman
NicDhòmhnaill
As printed in our sources.
The name
Named for Dòmhnall mac Raghnaill, a grandson of Somerled.
Chief's motto: Per mare per terras, by sea and by land. Clan history

Sharing a clan surname links you to the clan, but it does not prove descent from the chief.

The traditional naming pattern

Many Scottish families named the first three sons after the father's father, the mother's father and the father, and the first three daughters after the mother's mother, the father's mother and the mother. Type the family's names to see who each child would be named for.

  1. First sonJohnAfter the father's father
  2. Second sonAlexanderAfter the mother's father
  3. Third sonWilliamAfter the father
  1. First daughterMargaretAfter the mother's mother
  2. Second daughterJanetAfter the father's mother
  3. Third daughterElizabethAfter the mother

A tradition, not a rule: ScotlandsPeople says some families kept to it strictly and others ignored it, and a study of 24,000 records from the 1700s found no definite proof it was followed. It faded during the 1800s.

Want endless ideas? Try the scottish name generator and generate new names in one click.

Scottish Gaelic girl names

Native Scottish Gaelic names in Gàidhlig spelling. A grave accent (à, è, ì, ò, ù) marks a long vowel.

  1. Mòrag: Great one, from mòr, great; Scottish Gaelic. Say MOR-ak.
  2. Mòr: Great; Scottish Gaelic, once rendered in English as Sarah or Marion. Say MOHR.
  3. Beathag: Life, from beatha; feminine form of Beathan. Say BYAH-hak.
  4. Deòiridh: Pilgrim; a rare Scottish Gaelic name. Say JAW-ree.
  5. Raghnaid: Scottish Gaelic form of Norse Ragnhild: counsel and battle. Say RAH-natch.
  6. Muireall: Bright sea; Scottish Gaelic, the source of Muriel. Say MOOR-yal.
  7. Fionnghal: White shoulder; the Gaelic name of Flora MacDonald, also spelled Fionnaghal. Say FYOON-al.
  8. Murdag: Feminine of Murdo, from Gaelic for sea battle. Say MOOR-dak.
  9. Dolag: Scottish Gaelic feminine of Dòmhnall: world ruler. Say DOL-ak.
  10. Sorcha: Bright, radiant; Gaelic, used in Scotland and Ireland. Say SOR-a-kha in Gaelic, SOR-ka in English.
  11. Malvina: Coined by poet James Macpherson, from Gaelic for smooth brow. Say mal-VEE-na.

Gaelic forms of Bible and saints' names

Bible and saints' names in their Scottish Gaelic spelling. Each note gives the meaning of the original name.

  1. Ealasaid: Scottish Gaelic form of Elizabeth: God is my oath. Say EL-a-satch.
  2. Beasag: Scottish Gaelic form of Bessie, from Elizabeth: God is my oath. Say BESS-ak.
  3. Iseabail: Scottish Gaelic form of Isabel: God is my oath. Say ISH-a-bal.
  4. Beileag: Gaelic pet form of Iseabail, like Bella: God is my oath. Say BAY-lak.
  5. Seonag: Scottish Gaelic form of Joan: God is gracious. Say SHO-nak.
  6. Seònaid: Scottish Gaelic form of Janet: God is gracious. Say SHAW-natch.
  7. Siubhan: Scottish Gaelic form of Joan: God is gracious. Say SHOO-van.
  8. Sìne: Scottish Gaelic form of Jane: God is gracious. Say SHEE-na.
  9. Sìneag: Gaelic pet form of Jane, like Jeanie: God is gracious. Say SHEE-nak.
  10. Ciorstaidh: Scottish Gaelic form of Kirsty: follower of Christ. Say KEER-shtee.
  11. Cairistìona: Scottish Gaelic form of Christina: follower of Christ. Say kar-ish-TEE-na.
  12. Annag: Scottish Gaelic pet form of Anna: favor, grace. Say AN-ak.
  13. Eubh: Scottish Gaelic form of Eve, meaning living or life. Say AYV.
  14. Siùsaidh: Scottish Gaelic form of Susie, from Hebrew for lily. Say SHOO-see.
  15. Seasaidh: Scottish Gaelic form of Jessie, from Janet: God is gracious. Say SHESS-ee.
  16. Teasag: Scottish Gaelic form of Jessie, from Janet: God is gracious. Say CHESS-ak.
  17. Brìde: Scottish Gaelic form of Bridget, the exalted one. Say BREE-ja.
  18. Criosaidh: Scottish Gaelic form of Chrissie: follower of Christ. Say KREE-see.
  19. Lìosa: Scottish Gaelic form of Lisa, from Elizabeth: God is my oath. Say LEE-sa.
  20. Siùsan: Scottish Gaelic form of Susan, from Hebrew for lily. Say SHOO-san.
  21. Simeag: Scottish Gaelic form of Jemima, from Hebrew for dove. Say SHIM-ak.
  22. Marta: Scottish Gaelic form of Martha, from Aramaic for lady. Say MARSH-ta.

Gaelic forms of classic girl names

More familiar names in Scottish Gaelic spelling, from Margaret to Mabel.

  1. Mairead: Scottish Gaelic form of Margaret, from Greek for pearl. Say MAH-rud.
  2. Peigi: Scottish Gaelic form of Peggy, from Margaret: pearl. Say PEG-ee.
  3. Magaidh: Scottish Gaelic form of Maggie, from Margaret: pearl. Say MAG-ee.
  4. Flòraidh: Scottish Gaelic form of Flora, from Latin for flower. Say FLAW-ree.
  5. Anabla: Scottish Gaelic form of Annabella, from Latin for lovable. Say AN-a-bla.
  6. Barabal: Scottish Gaelic form of Barbara: foreign woman; Greek origin. Say BAR-a-bal.
  7. Aileas: Scottish Gaelic form of Alice, meaning noble kind. Say AL-as.
  8. Labhra: Scottish Gaelic form of Laura, from Latin for laurel. Say LOW-ra.
  9. Moibeal: Scottish Gaelic form of Mabel, from Latin for lovable. Say MOY-bal.
  10. Leitis: Scottish Gaelic form of Letitia, from Latin for joy. Say LAY-tish.
  11. Floireans: Scottish Gaelic form of Florence, from Latin for blossoming. Say FLOR-ans.
  12. Aingealag: Scottish Gaelic form of Angelica: angelic; Greek origin. Say ANG-gyal-ak.
  13. Milread: Scottish Gaelic form of Mildred: gentle strength; Old English origin. Say MIL-ret.
  14. Olibhia: Scottish Gaelic form of Olivia, from Latin for olive. Say OL-iv-ee-a.
  15. Raonaid: Variant of Raghnaid, from Norse Ragnhild: counsel and battle. Say RUH-natch.

Scots and anglicized Scottish girl names

Lowland Scots pet forms and Gaelic names in their usual English spelling.

  1. Jessie US #824: Scots pet form of Jean or Janet: God is gracious.
  2. Jeanie: Scots pet form of Jean, meaning God is gracious.
  3. Janet: Pet form of Jane, long a Scottish favorite: God is gracious.
  4. Elspet: Old Scots spelling of Elizabeth: God is my oath. Say ELS-pet.
  5. Effie: Scots pet form of Euphemia: words of good omen.
  6. Alison US #476: Medieval French pet form of Alice, long common in Scotland: noble kind.
  7. Maggie US #294: Scots favorite pet form of Margaret: pearl.
  8. Bessie: Scots pet form of Elizabeth, meaning God is my oath.
  9. Chrissie: Scots pet form of Christina: follower of Christ.
  10. Nessie: Scots pet form of Agnes, meaning pure; shared with Loch Ness's monster.
  11. Kirsteen: Scottish form of Christina: follower of Christ. Say kur-STEEN.
  12. Kirstin: Scottish form of Christina, meaning follower of Christ. Say KUR-stin.
  13. Annie US #182: Pet form of Anna, meaning grace; heroine of a famous Scots love song.
  14. Annabel: Medieval Scottish form of Amabel, from Latin for lovable.
  15. Heather: The purple moorland plant, an emblem of the Scottish hills.
  16. Peggy: Pet form of Margaret: pearl; Gaelic speakers spell it Peigi.
  17. Kirstie: Scots pet form of Kirsteen: follower of Christ.
  18. Seona: Partly anglicized Gaelic form of Janet: God is gracious. Say SHOW-na.
  19. Morag: English spelling of the Gaelic name meaning great one. Say MOR-ag.
  20. Shona: English spelling of Seonag or Seònaid: God is gracious. Say SHOW-na.
  21. Sheena: English spelling of Sìne: God is gracious. Say SHEE-na.
  22. Ishbel: English spelling of Iseabail: God is my oath. Say ISH-bel.
  23. Fenella: Walter Scott's spelling of Fionnghal: white shoulder. Say fe-NEL-a.
  24. Muriel: English spelling of Muireall: bright sea. Say MYOOR-ee-el.
  25. Kirsty: Scottish pet form of Christina: follower of Christ.
  26. Elspeth: Scottish form of Elizabeth: God is my oath. Say ELS-peth.
  27. Isobel: Scottish spelling of Isabel: God is my oath. Say IZ-o-bel.

Scottish girl names from history

Names borne by Scottish queens, heroines and poets' muses.

  1. Margaret US #112: Greek for pearl; the saintly 11th-century queen of Malcolm III.
  2. Marjory: Medieval form of Margaret: pearl; Robert the Bruce's daughter.
  3. Euphemia: Greek for words of good omen; a 14th-century queen of Scotland.
  4. Annabella: Latin for lovable; Robert III's queen, of the Drummond family.
  5. Joan: From Jehanne: God is gracious; a 15th-century Scottish queen.
  6. Agnes: Greek for pure; the countess who held Dunbar Castle against a siege.
  7. Matilda US #365: Germanic for mighty in battle; a daughter of King Malcolm III.
  8. Christina US #770: Follower of Christ; a sister of Robert the Bruce.
  9. Jean: From Jehanne, God is gracious; the name of Robert Burns's wife.
  10. Devorgilla: Latin form of Gaelic Dearbhfhorghaill; Dervorguilla of Galloway co-founded Balliol College, Oxford. Say dev-or-GIL-a.
  11. Isabella US #7: Latin form of Isabel: God is my oath; the countess who crowned the Bruce.
  12. Sybilla: Greek for prophetess; a 12th-century queen of Scotland.

Scottish feminine forms of boys' names

Scotland has a long habit of turning boys' names into girls' names with -ina or -a endings.

  1. Davina US #749: Scottish feminine of David, meaning beloved; Hebrew origin. Say da-VEE-na.
  2. Jamesina: Scottish feminine of James, a form of Jacob. Say jaym-SEE-na.
  3. Williamina: Scottish feminine of William: resolute protector. Say wil-ya-MEE-na.
  4. Robina: Feminine of Robert or Robin: bright fame. Say ro-BEE-na.
  5. Thomasina: Feminine of Thomas, meaning a twin; Aramaic origin. Say tom-a-SEE-na.
  6. Georgina US #689: Feminine of George, from Greek for farmer. Say jor-JEE-na.
  7. Hughina: Highland feminine of Hugh, from Germanic for mind or heart. Say hew-EE-na.
  8. Donalda: Feminine of Donald: world ruler; Scottish Gaelic origin. Say do-NAL-da.
  9. Donella: Feminine of Donald, meaning world ruler. Say do-NEL-a.
  10. Dolina: Highland feminine of Donald: world ruler. Say do-LEE-na.
  11. Rodina: Scottish feminine of Roderick: famous ruler. Say ro-DEE-na.
  12. Ronalda: Feminine of Ronald: counsel ruler; Old Norse origin. Say ro-NAL-da.
  13. Malina: Feminine of Malcolm: devotee of Saint Columba. Say ma-LEE-na.

Scottish place and clan names for girls

Islands, towns and clan surnames that work as girls' names.

  1. Islay: The Hebridean island's own spelling; used for girls and boys. Say EYE-la.
  2. Paisley US #67: Named for the Renfrewshire town that gave its name to a swirly pattern.
  3. Lesley: Girls' spelling of a Scottish surname from an Aberdeenshire place.
  4. Lindsay: From Lindsey, the English region named for Lincoln island; a Lowland clan.
  5. Greer: From the surname Grier, a Scottish short form of Gregor: watchful.
  6. Blair US #169: Plain or field, from Gaelic blàr; a Scottish surname, mostly a boys' name in Scotland.
  7. Cameron US #487: Crooked nose, from Gaelic cam sròn; a Highland clan, mostly a boys' name in Scotland. Say KAM-er-on.
  8. Mackenzie US #228: From Mac Coinnich, son of Coinneach, the handsome one. Say ma-KEN-zee.
  9. Kenzie US #736: Short form of a clan name meaning son of the handsome one. Say KEN-zee.
  10. Lennox US #717: From the old earldom around Loch Lomond; used for girls and boys. Say LEN-ux.
  11. Edina: Poetic name for Edinburgh in Robert Burns's Address to Edinburgh; also a Hungarian name.

How to pick the right name

Choose Gaelic or English spelling

Many names come in pairs: Seonag or Shona, Iseabail or Ishbel, Fionnghal or Fenella. The Gaelic spelling honors the language, while the English one is easier for teachers and forms.

Learn two sound rules

In Scottish Gaelic, s next to e or i sounds like sh, and a grave accent makes a vowel long. That is why Sìne is SHEE-na and Seonag is SHO-nak.

Think Highland or Lowland

Gaelic names like Mòrag and Beathag have a Highland and Islands feel, while Scots pet forms like Jessie, Elsie and Maisie have a Lowland Scots sound, though Maisie itself comes from Gaelic Mairead.

Use a family name

Scottish families often passed down grandparents' names, including feminine forms like Davina or Williamina. A family name with a Scottish twist keeps the tradition alive.

Scottish girl names: 121 ideas from Nomezo

Save this list for later

Pin it to a naming board, or tap the heart next to any name to keep it in your favorites on this device.

Save to PinterestOpen favorites

Scottish girl names: Scotland's 2025 top 20, the Gaelic forms, and the old naming pattern for daughters

By The Nomezo Editors · Updated October 25, 2026 · How we research names

Freya became Scotland's most popular girls' name for the first time in 2025, given to 268 babies, ahead of Isla (253) and Olivia (251). Names are spread thinly: 21,974 girls shared 4,603 different names, and 14.0% had a name no other girl got that year (National Records of Scotland).

Many of the most Scottish names on this page are rare even at home, and rarer in the US. The kit above finds the Gaelic form of a first name, gives a clan surname in its woman's form and works out the old naming pattern; the tags show each name's rank in Scotland and the US.

  1. Step 1Check what Scotland chooses nowFreya, Isla and Olivia led in 2025.
  2. Step 2Pick Gaelic or EnglishSeonag or Shona, Iseabail or Ishbel.
  3. Step 3Say it rightMhairi is VAH-ree; Sìne is SHEE-na.
  4. Step 4Follow the family patternThe first daughter after her mother's mother.

Scotland's top 20 girls' names in 2025

  • The -ie names. 13.4% of girls born in Scotland in 2025 had a name ending in -ie, an all-time high, against 4.5% in 1974. Six of the top 20 do: Millie, Rosie, Maisie, Sophie, Evie and Hallie (NRS).
  • Isla travels best. It is No. 2 in Scotland and No. 28 in the US, where 6,012 girls got it in 2025. Elspeth went to 14 US girls and Eilidh to 12, while Mhairi, Morag and Kirsty went to fewer than 5 each.
Most popular girls' names in Scotland, 2025, and their US rank
RankNameGirls in ScotlandUS rank, 2025
1Freya268#176
2Isla253#28
3Olivia251#1
4Amelia204#4
5Grace200#38
6Emily196#34
7Millie195#73
8Lily193#18
9Sophia181#5
10Rosie177#283
11Maisie169#233
19Hallie137#120

Sources: National Records of Scotland, Babies' First Names 2025, published May 26, 2026; US Social Security Administration.

Gaelic spelling and sound

  • Called names. Mhairi and Hamish come from the vocative, the form used to call someone: a Mhàiri, from Màiri (Mary), and a Sheumais, from Seumas (James) (Wikipedia).
  • Women's surnames. A Gaelic woman's patronymic surname uses nic, short for nighean mhic, daughter of the son of, instead of mac (Wikipedia). The kit above shows both forms of a clan name.
  • Two sound rules. An s next to e or i sounds like sh, and a grave accent marks a long vowel, which is why Sìne is SHEE-na. The notes give a pronunciation for each Gaelic name.

How Scottish girls were named

  • The naming pattern. By tradition the first daughter was named after her mother's mother, the second after her father's mother and the third after her mother (ScotlandsPeople). The kit above works out the pattern for a family.
  • -ina names. Boys' names were often made into girls' names with -ina, like Thomasina or Williamina, which might become Ina or Mina in later life. Christian, now seen as a boys' name, was a common Scottish girls' name (ScotlandsPeople).
  • Records. Registrars in Gaelic-speaking areas often anglicized names, recording Morag as Mary, so family historians should search both forms (ScotlandsPeople).

Sources

Frequently asked questions

What is the most popular Scottish girl name?

Freya was the most popular girls' name in Scotland in 2025, given to 268 babies, for the first time; Isla was second with 253 and Olivia third (National Records of Scotland). Isla had been number one in 2023.

What are traditional Scottish girl names?

Margaret, Elspeth, Isobel, Jean, Janet, Euphemia and Mòrag are traditional Scottish girl names. Many were borne by Scottish queens, saints and heroines.

What is the difference between Scottish Gaelic and Scots names?

Scottish Gaelic is a Celtic language of the Highlands and Islands, giving names like Mòrag and Seonag. Scots is a Germanic language of the Lowlands, giving pet forms like Jessie, Elsie and Maisie.

Is Isla a Scottish name?

Yes. Isla comes from Islay, an island in the southern Hebrides, and is pronounced EYE-la. It was Scotland's top girls' name in 2023 and second in 2025.

What does Mhairi mean?

Mhairi comes from Mhàiri, the form of Màiri (Mary) used when calling someone, pronounced VAH-ree. The original meaning of Mary is uncertain, so we have not given it a meaning on this page.

What was the traditional Scottish naming pattern for daughters?

The first daughter was named after her mother's mother, the second after her father's mother and the third after her mother, according to ScotlandsPeople. Sons followed a matching pattern with the grandfathers and the father.

Why do some Scottish girls' names end in -ina?

Scottish families often made a boy's name into a girl's name by adding -ina, so Thomas became Thomasina and William Williamina. These were often shortened to Ina or Mina later in life.

More by origin and generators

See every page in Names by Origin →