The quest to find the perfect name for the newly arrived member of your family is much like a treasure hunt. This treasure hunt is not merely exciting but also blissful and has long-lasting implications not only for you as parents but also for the baby. If you are Scottish, your ancestors were Scottish, or if the idea of choosing from a fascinating list of Scottish baby names has lured your imagination, we are game too. Our website <brings you> thousands of Scottish baby names and their meanings, origins and associated traditions. What we propose is to give you a framework, a point of departure or a context from which to work as you embark on your journey to find the most adorable name for your little baby. But first, a quick chapter from the past since Scottish baby names are rooted in history and historic traditions.
Scottish Baby Names and History
The Scots are a Celtic tribe which migrated from Northern Ireland. Many Scottish baby names originate from the Gaelic language which was brought to Scotland by the Irish in the fourth century AD. From a linguistic standpoint, there are three languages spoken in Scotland, all of which have influenced the Scottish naming tradition in one form or another. Where as Scottish English is a dialect of English spoken in Scotland, Scots Leid is a West Germanic language which is equally popular. Scottish Gaelic, on the other hand, is a Celtic language to which many of the most popular Scottish baby names can be traced. Gaelic is still spoken in the Scottish Highlands. Scotland’s preoccupation with names and naming traditions is well born out by the fact that the Scottish government, through one of its agencies called the General Register Office for Scotland, officially announces the most popular Scottish baby names annually broken down by region. Even the country’s Parliament takes a keen interest in baby naming traditions and published an <infographic> on Scottish baby boy names and Scottish baby girl names not too long ago.
Fascinating Facts
Scottish Names and Popular Culture
It comes as no surprise, given the rich naming traditions in Scotland, that some of the most popular names common to the western world originate from Scotland. Two examples intrigued us. Donald (Gaelic) which means “world ruler.” And Clement (Scottish) which means “gentle” are two of the most popular baby boy names with Scottish derivations. Similarly, baby girl names such as Sophie, Beverly, Sonya, Susanna and Olivia are all baby girl names with Scottish origins.
Using Last Names as First Names
Many Scottish surnames eventually became so popular that they were graduated to the esteemed status of first names. Examples include Ross, Graham, Keith, Allison and Lindsay, all of which initially started out as last names but are so popular today as first names that many of us are hardly aware that once upon a time, these names were actually last names which they continue to remain even today.
According to a research study conducted by Professor Richard Zweigenhaft, a psychology professor at Guilford College in the US, there is a definite correlation between baby names and success. If your name is high profile and unusual, you are more likely to achieve celebrity status and succeed in life. Many Scottish baby names are unusual when you step outside Scotland and trying to establish a connection between these names and celebrity status or financial success should make for an interesting research study.
Have you found a Scottish baby name that truly fascinates you and is on your baby name short list? Do you have a Scottish naming story that you believe spotlights the various perspectives we have shared with you in this blog? We would love to hear from you through our comment section.