Choosing a name for your dog is an important first step in dog ownership. What you name your puppy will have an impact on the rest of their lives. So make sure you choose carefully. When choosing a name, you want to take into consideration a few key items; like how easy it is to say, and how popular the name is. If you choose a popular name your dog will become confused when they hear the name used for someone else. It’s best if you try to pick a name that is unique. One way to find a unique dog name is to choose an ethnic name from another country. Some countries lend themselves to unique names more than others. Scotland is one of those countries. To help you find the perfect Scottish dog name we have put together a list of 500 Scottish dog names to choose from.
In addition to finding a unique dog name for your pup you also want to choose a name that conveys your dog’s unique personality. This is where Scottish dog names have an advantage, especially, if you have an adventurous breed. When you think of Scotland one thinks of; the lush, green spaces of the lowlands, the rugged mountain terrain of the highlands, and the vast coastline of both the Highlands and islands. All this means that Scotland offers an unlimited number of opportunities for adventure and dog names.
To learn more about Scotland check out this post from Lonely Planet: Scotland is known for…
How to Choose a Dog Name
There are 6 tips to follow when choosing a name for your dog. We already discussed the first one:
- Choose a unique name. Our adopted puppy came with the name “Bella”. Since she already knew the name we decided not to change. But it is a very popular name on our street. She often becomes confused when the name is used for someone else.
- Pick a name that you are comfortable saying in public. What might seem funny in private might not go over well in public.
- Your dog’s name will influence what people think of your dog. If you name your German Shepard Killer, people may believe that your dog presents a danger to others.
- Choose a name that is easy to say. You will be saying it a lot over the next 10 to 15 years.
- Don’t choose a name that can be mistaken for another word. (Example: Bo that sounds like no)
- Choose a name with one or two syllables. Dogs can recognize shorter words easier. If you do choose a longer name consider using a nick name for everyday use.
Scottish Dog Names
The origins of Scottish names can came from the Old Scottish Gaelic language of Scotland and also by the surrounding areas that had an influence on the Scottish people.
Dog Names based on Scottish Culture
Like all countries Scotland uses certain terms that are only used in Scotland. But these terms can make very unique Scottish Dog Names. An example is Coorie which means to snuggle and nestle. Wouldn’t this make a great name for a puppy that loves to cuddle with you?
| Name | Meaning |
| Alba | Gaelic for Scotland |
| Bairn | Scottish term for Baby |
| Bean | Fair |
| Bridie | Meat pastry that originates from Forfar |
| Caledonia | Latin name for Scotland |
| Cèilidh | Evening of traditional Scottish dancing (ˈkālē) |
| Clootie | Traditional steamed Scottish pudding |
| Coorie | Meaning to cuddle |
| Cranachan | Scottish dessert |
| Cullen | Cullen skink a thick Scottish soup |
| Dafty | A silly person |
| Edin | Edinburgh |
| Effie | Well-spoken |
| Embra | Slang for Edinburgh |
| Firth | Inlet of the sea (fərTH) |
| Haggis | Traditional Scottish dish |
| Highlander | Person from the Scottish highlands |
| Kelpie | Shape-shifting water spirit which usually takes the form of a horse |
| Laddie | Scottish term for a boy |
| Lager | Light beer in Scotland |
| Lass | Scottish term for a girl |
| Loch | A lake or inlet |
| Mac | Means “son of” |
| Madra | Dog |
| Scotch | Type of whisky made in Scotland. |
| Selkie | Mythological beings capable of changing from seal to human form by shedding their skin |
| Smokie | Type of smoked haddock |
| Sterling | Scotland’s currency |
| Stovie | Scottish dish based on potatoes |
| Tartan | A patterned cloth used in Scottish kilts |
| Thistle | National flower of Scotland |
| Toaty | Meaning tiny and small |
| Whiskey | Drink |
Complete the Scottish theme with this Red Scottish Tartan Plaid Dog Collar Made in the USA by The Southern Pup. Available at Amazon.com
Famous People from Scotland
There are many great people in Scotland who you might like to name your dog after. One of them was Sir William Wallace. Sir Wallace was a Scottish knight who became one of the main leaders during the First War of Scottish Independence.
| Name | Famous Scotts |
| Baird | John Logie Baird – inventor of the TV |
| Bell | Alexander Graham Bell – inventor of the telephone |
| Burns | Robert Burns – poet and Scottish icon |
| Connery | Sean Connery – actor |
| Connolly | Billy Connolly – stand-up comedian |
| Doyle | Arthur Conan Doyle – author of Sherlock Holmes |
| Ewan | Ewan McGregor – well known Scottish actor |
| Irvine | Irvine Welsh – Scottish novelist and playwright |
| Lassie | Famous Dog Star |
| Lulu | Scottish pop singer and actress |
| Mackintosh | Charles Rennie Mackintosh – Scottish architect and artist |
| Mary | Queen of Scots |
| Nessie | Loch Ness Monster |
| Rennie | Charles Rennie Mackintosh – see above |
| Wallace | Sir William Wallace |
Scottish Clan Names
Scottish clans are well-known symbols of Scottish life. They are most often associated with men in plaid Kilts and coats of armor. You may assume that people who are part of a clan have a blood line to the clan’s ruling ancestors. But that may not be correct. The term “clan” comes for the Gaelic ‘clann’ which literally means “children” and more broadly “kindred”. It is common that members of a Scottish clan are more often a kinship group rather than a bloodline. There are over 350 different clans with about 175 of them having a coat of armor. Many of these names can be used as dog names. Rather than showing you all the clan names we have selected the best 25 clan dog names for our list of Scottish Dog Names
| Name |
| Abercromby |
| Adair |
| Adam |
| Arnott |
| Arthur |
| Baillie |
| Barclay |
| Baxter |
| Boyd |
| Brodie |
| Fraser |
| Gordon |
| Graham |
| Grant |
| Gunn |
| Hamilton |
| Mackay |
| Mackinnon |
| MacLeod |
| Maxwell |
| Morrison |
| Murdoch |
| Murray |
| Scott |
| Sinclair |
Places in Scotland
| Name | Place |
| Ailsa | Ailsa Craig |
| Arran | Islands |
| Bute | Islands |
| Cuillin | Islands |
| Fara | Islands |
| Harris | Islands |
| Iona | Small island in Scotland |
| Isla | Island off the west coast of Scotland. (EYE-luh) |
| Islay | Islands (‘isle-a’) |
| Jura | Islands |
| Lewis | Islands |
| Mull | Islands |
| Orkney | Islands |
| Rona | Small island in Scotland |
| Shetland | Islands |
| Skye | Isle of Skye in Scotland’s Inner Hebrides |
| Stornoway | Islands |
| Tiree | Islands |
| Aberdeen | Scotland’s third most populous city |
| Bein | Mountain |
| Leith | District of Edinburgh |
| Munro | Mountain in Scotland |
| Dee | River or Loch |
| Lomond | River or Loch |
| Lossie | River or Loch |
| Maree | River or Loch |
| Moray | River or Loch |
| Ness | River or Loch |
| Tay | River or Loch |
| Tweed | River or Loch |
| Ayr | Town |
| Elgin | Town |
| Kelso | Town in Scotland and surname |
| Montrose | Town |
| Oban | Town |
| Tobermory | Town |
| Angus | Town |
| Argyll | Town |
| Atholl | Blair Atholl is a village in Scotland |
Scottish Dog Names – Female
| Name | Meaning |
| Adaira | Means ford by the oak tree |
| Adairia | Variant of Adaira |
| Aggie | Pet form of the name Agnes or Agatha |
| Aila | From a resilient place |
| Aileana | A person from the green meadow |
| Aileen | Scottish version of the female name Eileen |
| Aileene | Alternative spelling of Aileen |
| Ailie | Pet form of Aileen |
| Alexina | Scottish female version of the name Alex |
| Alice | |
| Alison | Popular name derived from Alice |
| Allie | Pet form of Alison |
| Allina | Scottish variant of the name Alina |
| Ally | Pet form of Alison |
| Alpina | The female name of Alpin |
| Anice | |
| Annella | Version of Anne. |
| Annis | A form of the name Agnes |
| Annys | A variation on the name Annis |
| Arabella | A small village in Highland, Scotland, (AIR-uh-bella) |
| Artis | |
| Athdara | Means ford by the oak tree |
| Ayla | From a strong & resilient place |
| Bearnas | Scottish form of the girls name Bernice |
| Beileag | Pet form of Iseabail |
| Beitidh | Scottish name for Betty |
| Beitris | Scottish name for Beatrice |
| Bhictoria | Scottish name for Victoria |
| Bonnie | Means fine |
| Bradana | This name means Salmon |
| Brenda | |
| Bretta | |
| Bridget | From the Gaelic name Brighid |
| Cadha | A person from a steep place |
| Caillic | Means Hag |
| Cairistiona | Scottish girl’s name for Christine |
| Cait | |
| Caitir | From the Gaelic name Caitriona |
| Caitlan | |
| Caitlin | Gaelic name related to the name Catherine |
| Cassidy | |
| Catriona | From the Gaelic name Caitrìona |
| Ceit | Scottish Gaelic spelling of the name Kate |
| Christie | Pet form of the name Christine |
| Christy | Variant of the name Christie |
| Ciorstaid | Scottish girl’s related to Christy |
| Coira | Scottish girl’s name meaning seething pool |
| Cora | |
| Crichton | |
| Crissie | |
| Cumina | Means from the place Comines |
| Curstaidh | Scottish version of Kirstie |
| Dacey | |
| Dallis | Female version of the name Dallas |
| Davina | Feminine form of David |
| Deidra | |
| Deoiridh | Means Pilgrim |
| Deonaid | Variant of Seonaid |
| Dixie | |
| Dolina | From the name Dolog female version of Donald |
| Donella | Feminne form of Donald |
| Donna | From Madonna |
| Ealasaid | Scottish form of Elizabeth |
| Edith | |
| Edme | Variant of Esme |
| Effemy | Form of the name Euphemia |
| Efric | From the Gaelic name Oighrig |
| Eilidh | Scottish version of the name Ellie |
| Eiric | Variant of Oighrig |
| Eithrig | Variant of Oighrig |
| Elise | Pet form of Elspeth |
| Ella | Abbreviation of Scottish names: Annella, Donella, Fenella and Arabella |
| Ellie | |
| Elspeth | The Scottish form of Elizabeth, it means “chosen by God.”(ELL-speth) |
| Enya | |
| Erica | Female form of Eric |
| Eubh | Scottish name for Eve |
| Euna | Gaelic name for Una |
| Eva | |
| Fenella | A form of the name Fionnuala |
| Fergie | |
| Fergus | Scottish name meaning angry |
| Fia | |
| Finella | Meaning “white shoulder” (Fin-EL-la) |
| Finola | From the name Fionnula |
| Fiona | From the Gaelic Fionn meaning white or fair |
| Fionola | Derived from Finella and Finola |
| Flora | Goddess of flowers |
| Florrie | Pet form of Flora |
| Freya | Freya was the goddess of love |
| Gail | |
| Garia | Girl’s name meaning short |
| Gavenia | Scottish girls name meaning ‘White Hawk’ |
| Georgina | Feminine version of the Latin name George |
| Gilbarta | Means to pledge |
| Gordania | Scottish origins means heroic |
| Gormlaith | Means splendid lady or princess |
| Grace | |
| Gracie | |
| Grier | Variant on the name Greer |
| Griselda | Means grey battle |
| Grizel | Variant on the name Griselda |
| Grizela | Means grey haired |
| Ina | Pet forms of Dolina and Murdina |
| Innes | From the Gaelic name Aonghas |
| Iseabail | Scottish name for Isabel or Isobel. |
| Isobel | From the name Iseabail |
| Jamesina | Scottish feminine form of James |
| Jean | From the name Je(h)anne |
| Jeanie | Pet form of Jean |
| Jessie | Pet form of the name Jean. |
| Jinny | |
| Kameron | From Cameron meaning crooked nose |
| Kellee/Kelly | |
| Kenzie | Means handsome |
| Kenzy | Abbreviated form of McKenzie |
| Kina | Pet form of the name Alickina |
| Kinny | |
| Kirstie | Pet for of Kirstin |
| Kirstin | Derived from the name Christine |
| Kirsty | A Scottish form of Kirsten or Christine (KEER-stee) |
| Kyla | Female version of Kyle (KY-luh) |
| Laire | Scottish girl’s name that means mare |
| Lara | |
| Leagsaidh | Scottish name for Lexy (le-agsa-idh) |
| Leana | Derived from the name Helen |
| Lena | From the names Helen or Dolina |
| Leslee | Variation of Leslie |
| Lesley | Variation of Leslie |
| Leslie | Garden of Hollies |
| Lexi | Pet name for Alexandra |
| Lexine | Derived from the name Lexy |
| Lezlie | Variation of Leslie |
| Lorna | From the place name Lorn |
| Lorraine | District in France |
| Machara | A name of Scottish origins that mean plain |
| Mackenzie | |
| Magaidh | From the name Margret |
| Maggie | |
| Maidie | Means young woman |
| Maighread | Scottish name for Margaret or even Merida |
| Maili | Gaelic name from Mairi |
| Mairi | Scottish name for Mary |
| Maisie | Pet form of Mairead |
| Malvina | From the Gaelic name Mala Mhin |
| Marcail | From the word for “little pearl” |
| Maretta | Scottish name for Mairead |
| Margaret | From the French girls name Marguerite |
| Marsaili | Gaelic form of Margery or Marcella |
| May | |
| Mhairi | |
| Moibeal | Means loveable |
| Moira | From the Gaelic name Moire |
| Moire | Means star of the sea |
| Moireach | Means Lady in Scottish |
| Molly | |
| Mor | Means large or great |
| Morag | Pet form of Mor |
| Morna | |
| Muireall | Meaning bright sea |
| Nairna | |
| Nathaira | Snake |
| Nathara | Variation of Nathaira |
| Nessa | |
| Nighean | This name means young woman |
| Nighinn | Variation of Nighean |
| Nora | Female form of Norman |
| Oighrig | Possibly means speckled one |
| Paisley | |
| Peigi | Scottish name for Peggy |
| Piper | Player of the bagpipes |
| Raoghnailt | Means ewe (female lamb) |
| Rhona | Origin unknown |
| Robena | A female version of Robin |
| Robina | A female version of Robin |
| Roisin | Little Rose |
| Rose | |
| Saundra | Scottish version of Sandra |
| Senga | Popular in North East Scotland |
| Seonag | Means Joan |
| Seonaid | Scottish name for Janet |
| Shannon | |
| Sheena | A form of the name Jane |
| Shona | From the Gaelic name Seonag |
| Sìleas | Means blind |
| Siubham | Form of Jane |
| Siusan | Scottish form of Susan |
| Skena | People from the place name Skena |
| Sorcha | Meaning “radiant” in Gaelic |
| Struana | Means from the stream |
| Tara | |
| Tyra | |
| Una | |
| Whitney | |
| Wynda | Means from a narrow path |
Scottish Dog Names – Male
| Name | Meaning |
| Ackerman | Ploughed field |
| Acton | The Oak Tree Settlement |
| Agan | |
| Agar | A stranger, one that fears |
| Aidan | Fire |
| Aindrea | Man |
| Alaister | A warrior name |
| Alasdair | Gaelic origin meaning “defending men” |
| Aldridge | |
| Alfred | |
| Alpin | White |
| Alpine | |
| Alvin | |
| Amherst | Location |
| Anders | Strong and manly |
| Archibald | Genuine |
| Archie | |
| Argyle | |
| Ashby | |
| Ashford | |
| Aston | |
| Atherton | |
| Baber | |
| Bagley | |
| Bain | Scottish Gaelic bàn, meaning “white”, “fair” |
| Baker | |
| Ballard | |
| Bard | |
| Barton | |
| Bath | |
| Berkeley | |
| Bernard | |
| Blane | One who serves |
| Bodie | |
| Bowie | Blond haired boy |
| Brice | A speckled boy |
| Bruce | |
| Bryce | |
| Bunyan | |
| Burr | |
| Burt | |
| Caelan | powerful warrior |
| Calder | |
| Calum | Signifying “dove,” |
| Camdyn | Meaning “from the winding valley” (CAM-den) |
| Campbell | Surname |
| Carr | |
| Carson | |
| Channing | |
| Clyde | River or Lochs |
| Coby | |
| Colin | |
| Collins | |
| Conant | |
| Connor | |
| Conway | |
| Corkin | Surname |
| Cowan | |
| Cricton | |
| Croft | |
| Darrow | |
| Davis | |
| Denton | |
| Donald | From the Gaelic name Domhnall |
| Dougal | |
| Dougie | |
| Douglas | |
| Dowell | |
| Drake | |
| Driscol | |
| Duff | Dark |
| Duffy | |
| Dugal | |
| Duncan | |
| Dunn | |
| Eaton | |
| Edmund | |
| Edward | |
| Edwin | |
| Faden | |
| Fagan | |
| Falkland | |
| Finlay | From Fionnlagh, which means “white warrior.” (FINN-lee) |
| Finley | |
| Finn | |
| Fintan | |
| Fletcher | Surname |
| Forbes | |
| Gallagher | |
| Gallus | Slang meaning mischievous |
| Gavin | |
| Gibbs | |
| Gibson | |
| Gilford | |
| Glasgow | |
| Glenn | Gaelic word for “valley.” |
| Goodrich | |
| Granger | |
| Greer | Alert or watchful |
| Gregor | Watchful or vigilant |
| Gunn | |
| Halifax | |
| Hamish | God protects |
| Hansel | |
| Hector | |
| Henry | |
| Herbert | |
| Herman | |
| Holcombe | |
| Hunter | Surname |
| Hurst | |
| Iver | Archer, bow warrior |
| Jack | |
| Kilgour | |
| Kincade | |
| Kirk | |
| Knox | Meaning round hill |
| Kyle | |
| Lachlan | From the land of lakes.”(LOCK-lin) |
| Lean | |
| Logan | Little hollow |
| Loon | Slang meaning “Boy” |
| MacBeth | Shakespearean |
| Magoon | |
| Maguire | |
| Maleod | |
| Marcas | |
| McCree | |
| McDuff | |
| McEwans | Scottish beer |
| McFadden | |
| McFee | |
| Mcgee | |
| McGill | |
| McGinnis | |
| McGowan | |
| McGrath | |
| McIntyre | |
| McKay | |
| McNamara | |
| McRuff | |
| Michael | |
| Moore | |
| Morton | |
| Muir | |
| Munroe | |
| Murdo | |
| Neil | |
| Nevis | |
| Newbury | |
| Niblick | |
| Ogden | |
| Oliver | Surname |
| Osborn | |
| Oscar | |
| Oswald | |
| Paden | Royal (PAY-den) |
| Patton | Surname |
| Putter | |
| Rab | Short for Robert |
| Ralph | |
| Ralston | |
| Ramsey | Surname |
| Reed | |
| Remy | |
| Reynold | |
| Richmond | |
| Rocket | Slang for crazy person |
| Roy | |
| Scott | |
| Shawn | |
| Shone | |
| Stanwood | |
| Stewart | |
| Stuart | |
| Tam | Short for Tam o’Shanteror or ‘tammie’ is a name for the traditional Scottish bonnet worn by men |
| Tavis | |
| Tavish | Twin |
| Walter | |
| Watson | |
| Whiting | |
| Wickham | |
| Wickliff | |
| Wiley |
Scottish Dog Names – Unisex
| Name | Meaning |
| Ainsley | Famous Scottish family name although roots likely from Nottinghamshire |
| Blair | Place names in Scotland |
| Cameron | Crooked nose |
| Cori | Surname |
| Jaime | Originates from the name James |
| Lennox | With many elm trees |
| Rae | Scottish for “grace |
| Rory | Gaelic meaning “red-haired king” (ROAR-ee) |
| Teagan | Attractive, beautiful |
| Teasag | Scottish form of Jessie |
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