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Scottish Dog Names: 500 Dog Names

Updated 08/01/2023 – Deciding on a name for your new puppy can be both exciting and frustrating all at the same time. You probably want a name that fits your pup, but one that is also unique. We felt the same way when we were looking for a name for our puppy. This is why we decided to gather all the Scottish dog names we could find into one post.

Thus, making it easier for future new puppy owners to find the perfect Scottish dog name for their dogs.

Why Choose a Scottish Dog Name?

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.  It’s best not to choose a really popular name.

We did this once without realizing it. We named our English Springer Spaniel, Molly. It turned out it was a very popular name for that breed.

What’s the big deal you may ask? If you choose a popular name for your dog, they can become confused when they hear the name used for someone else’s dog.

The best thing to do is to try to pick a name that is unique but that still fits your puppy.  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 that has diverse and appealing name options. 

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. 

After all, when you think of Scotland you might think of their lush, green open spaces in the lowlands, or the rugged mountain terrain of the highlands. Let’s not forget about their vast coastline. All this means that Scotland offers an unlimited number of opportunities for adventure and for dog names.

If you want to learn more about Scotland, check out this post from Lonely Planet: Scotland is known for…

Border Collie in the Scottish Highlands - Scottish Dog Names
Border Collie in the Scottish Highlands

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 current 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. 
  • Pick a name that you are comfortable saying in public. What may 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 nickname for everyday use.
Scottish Dog Names - West Highland Terrier

Scottish Dog Names

The origins of Scottish names can come from the Old Scottish Gaelic language of Scotland and also by the surrounding areas that had an influence on the Scottish people. Here we have sorted our selection of names by:

  • Scottish Culture
  • Famous People from Scotland
  • Scottish Clan Names
  • Places in Scotland
  • More Scottish names for girl dogs
  • More Scottish names for boy dogs

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 of this is Coorie, which means to snuggle and nestle.

Wouldn’t this make a great name for a puppy that loves to cuddle with you? Keep reading to find more names for your puppy.

Names A to F Scottish Culture Meaning  
Alba Gaelic for Scotland
BairnScottish term for Baby
Bean Fair
BridieMeat pastry that originates from Forfar
Caledonia Latin name for Scotland
Cèilidh Evening of traditional Scottish dancing (ˈkālē)
ClootieTraditional steamed Scottish pudding
CoorieMeaning to cuddle
CranachanScottish dessert
Cullen Cullen skink a thick Scottish soup
DaftyA silly person
EdinEdinburgh
Effie  Well-spoken
EmbraSlang for Edinburgh
Firth Inlet of the sea (fərTH)
Bearded Collie in grass
Names H to WScottish Culture Meaning  
Haggis Traditional Scottish dish
HighlanderPerson from the Scottish highlands
Kelpie Shape-shifting water spirit which usually takes the form of a horse
LaddieScottish term for a boy
LagerLight beer in Scotland
LassScottish term for a girl
Loch A lake or inlet
MacMeans “son of”
MadraDog
ScotchType of whisky made in Scotland.
Selkie Mythological beings capable of changing form by shedding their skin
Smokie Type of smoked haddock
Sterling Scotland’s currency
Stovie Scottish dish based on potatoes
TartanA patterned cloth used in Scottish kilts
Thistle National flower of Scotland
ToatyMeaning tiny and small
WhiskeyDrink
Rough collie puppy with toy
Rough Collie

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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.

NameFamous Scotts 
Baird John Logie Baird – inventor of the TV
Bell Alexander Graham Bell – inventor of the telephone
Burns Robert Burns – poet and Scottish icon
ConnerySean 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
LassieFamous Dog Star
LuluScottish pop singer and actress
Mackintosh Charles Rennie Mackintosh – Architect and artist 
Mary Queen of Scots
NessieLoch Ness Monster
Rennie Charles Rennie Mackintosh – see above
WallaceSir William Wallace 
Cairn Terrier puppy

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 Name Name Name
Abercromby Baxter Grant Morrison
AdairBoydGunnMurdoch
AdamBrodieHamilton Murray
ArnottFraserMackayScott
ArthurGordonMackinnonSinclair 
BaillieGraham MacLeod Maxwell 
Barclay
Scottish terrier puppy

Places in Scotland

Place Names A to KPlaces In Scotland
AberdeenScotland’s third most populous city
AilsaAilsa Craig
AngusTown
ArgyllTown
ArranIslands
AthollBlair Atholl is a village in Scotland
AyrTown
Bein  Mountain
ButeIslands
CuillinIslands
DeeRiver or Loch
ElginTown
FaraIslands
HarrisIslands
IonaSmall island in Scotland
Isla Island off the west coast of Scotland. (EYE-luh)
Islay Islands (‘isle-a’)
JuraIslands
KelsoTown in Scotland and surname
Skye Terrier puppy
Place Names L to TPlaces In Scotland
Leith District of Edinburgh
LewisIslands
LomondRiver or Loch
LossieRiver or Loch
MareeRiver or Loch
MontroseTown
MorayRiver or Loch
MullIslands
Munro Mountain in Scotland
NessRiver or Loch
ObanTown
OrkneyIslands
RonaSmall island in Scotland
ShetlandIslands
Skye Isle of Skye in Scotland’s Inner Hebrides
StornowayIslands
TayRiver or Loch
TireeIslands
TobermoryTown
TweedRiver or Loch
The Golden Retriever originated in Scotland - Scottish Dog Names
The Golden Retriever originated in Scotland

Scottish Dog Names – Female

Girl Names A to AMeaning
AdairaMeans ford by the oak tree
AdairiaVariant of Adaira
AggiePet form of the name Agnes or Agatha
AilaFrom a resilient place
AileanaA person from the green meadow
AileenScottish version of the female name Eileen
AileeneAlternative spelling of Aileen
AiliePet form of Aileen
AlexinaScottish female version of the name Alex
Alice
AlisonPopular name derived from Alice
AlliePet form of Alison
AllinaScottish variant of the name Alina
AllyPet form of Alison
AlpinaThe female name of Alpin
Anice
AnnellaVersion of Anne.
AnnisA form of the name Agnes
AnnysA variation on the name Annis
Arabella A small village in Highland, Scotland,  (AIR-uh-bella)
Artis
AthdaraMeans ford by the oak tree
AylaFrom a strong & resilient place
Cocker Spaniel
Girl Names B to C Meaning
BearnasScottish form of the girls name Bernice
BeileagPet form of Iseabail
BeitidhScottish name for Betty
BeitrisScottish name for Beatrice
BhictoriaScottish name for Victoria
BonnieMeans fine
BradanaThis name means Salmon
Brenda
Bretta
BridgetFrom the Gaelic name Brighid
CadhaA person from a steep place
CaillicMeans Hag
CairistionaScottish girl’s name for Christine
Cait
CaitirFrom the Gaelic name Caitriona
Caitlan
CaitlinGaelic name related to the name Catherine
Cassidy
CatrionaFrom the Gaelic name Caitrìona
CeitScottish Gaelic spelling of the name Kate
ChristiePet form of the name Christine
ChristyVariant of the name Christie
CiorstaidScottish girl’s related to Christy
CoiraScottish girl’s name meaning seething pool
Cora
Crichton
Crissie
CuminaMeans from the place Comines
CurstaidhScottish version of Kirstie
Scottish Dog Names - Border Collie puppy
Girl Names D to E Meaning
Dacey
DallisFemale version of the name Dallas
DavinaFeminine form of David
Deidra
DeoiridhMeans Pilgrim
DeonaidVariant of Seonaid
Dixie
DolinaFrom the name Dolog female version of Donald
DonellaFeminne form of Donald
DonnaFrom Madonna
EalasaidScottish form of Elizabeth
Edith
EdmeVariant of Esme
EffemyForm of the name Euphemia
EfricFrom the Gaelic name Oighrig
EilidhScottish version of the name Ellie
EiricVariant of Oighrig
EithrigVariant of Oighrig
ElisePet form of Elspeth
EllaAbbreviation of Scottish names: Annella, Donella, Fenella and Arabella
Ellie
Elspeth The Scottish form of Elizabeth, it means “chosen by God.”(ELL-speth)
Enya
EricaFemale form of Eric
EubhScottish name for Eve
EunaGaelic name for Una
Eva
Sheltie family - Two adult dogs and three puppies
Girl Names F to GMeaning
FenellaA form of the name Fionnuala
Fergie
FergusScottish name meaning angry
Fia
Finella Meaning “white shoulder” (Fin-EL-la)
FinolaFrom the name Fionnula
FionaFrom the Gaelic Fionn meaning white or fair
FionolaDerived from Finella and Finola
FloraGoddess of flowers
FlorriePet form of Flora
FreyaFreya was the goddess of love
Gail
GariaGirl’s name meaning short
GaveniaScottish girls name meaning ‘White Hawk’
GeorginaFeminine version of the Latin name George
GilbartaMeans to pledge
GordaniaScottish origins means heroic
GormlaithMeans splendid lady or princess
Grace
Gracie
GrierVariant on the name Greer
GriseldaMeans grey battle
GrizelVariant on the name Griselda
GrizelaMeans grey haired
Golden Retriever puppy running in grass
Girl Names I to LMeaning
InaPet forms of Dolina and Murdina
InnesFrom the Gaelic name Aonghas
IseabailScottish name for Isabel or Isobel.
IsobelFrom the name Iseabail
JamesinaScottish feminine form of James
JeanFrom the name Je(h)anne
JeaniePet form of Jean
JessiePet form of the name Jean.
Jinny
KameronFrom Cameron meaning crooked nose
Kellee/Kelly
KenzieMeans handsome
KenzyAbbreviated form of McKenzie
KinaPet form of the name Alickina
Kinny
KirstiePet for of Kirstin
KirstinDerived from the name Christine
KirstyA Scottish form of Kirsten or Christine (KEER-stee)
KylaFemale version of Kyle (KY-luh)
LaireScottish girl’s name that means mare
Lara
LeagsaidhScottish name for Lexy (le-agsa-idh)
LeanaDerived from the name Helen
LenaFrom the names Helen or Dolina
LesleeVariation of Leslie
LesleyVariation of Leslie
LeslieGarden of Hollies
LexiPet name for Alexandra
LexineDerived from the name Lexy
LezlieVariation of Leslie
LornaFrom the place name Lorn
LorraineDistrict in France
Scottish Dog Names - Bearded Collie
Girl Names M to MMeaning
MacharaA name of Scottish origins that mean plain
Mackenzie
MagaidhFrom the name Margret
Maggie
MaidieMeans young woman
MaighreadScottish name for Margaret or even Merida
MailiGaelic name from Mairi
MairiScottish name for Mary
MaisiePet form of Mairead
MalvinaFrom the Gaelic name Mala Mhin
Marcail From the word for “little pearl”
MarettaScottish name for Mairead
MargaretFrom the French girls name Marguerite
MarsailiGaelic form of Margery or Marcella
May
Mhairi
MoibealMeans loveable
MoiraFrom the Gaelic name Moire
MoireMeans star of the sea
MoireachMeans Lady in Scottish
Molly
MorMeans large or great
MoragPet form of Mor
Morna
MuireallMeaning bright sea
Scottish Terrier in grass
Girl Names N to WMeaning
Nairna
NathairaSnake
NatharaVariation of Nathaira
Nessa
NigheanThis name means young woman
NighinnVariation of Nighean
NoraFemale form of Norman
OighrigPossibly means speckled one
Paisley
PeigiScottish name for Peggy
Piper Player of the bagpipes
RaoghnailtMeans ewe (female lamb)
RhonaOrigin unknown
RobenaA female version of Robin
RobinaA female version of Robin
RoisinLittle Rose
Rose
SaundraScottish version of Sandra
SengaPopular in North East Scotland
SeonagMeans Joan
SeonaidScottish name for Janet
Shannon
SheenaA form of the name Jane
ShonaFrom the Gaelic name Seonag
SìleasMeans blind
SiubhamForm of Jane
SiusanScottish form of Susan
SkenaPeople from the place name Skena
Sorcha Meaning “radiant” in Gaelic
StruanaMeans from the stream
Tara
Tyra
Una
Whitney
WyndaMeans from a narrow path
Scottish Dog Names - Rough Collie
Rough Collie

Scottish Dog Names – Male

Boy Names A to AMeaning
AckermanPloughed field
ActonThe Oak Tree Settlement
Agan
AgarA stranger, one that fears
Aidan Fire
AindreaMan
AlaisterA warrior name
Alasdair Gaelic origin meaning “defending men”
Aldridge
Alfred
AlpinWhite
Alpine
Alvin
AmherstLocation
AndersStrong and manly
Archibald Genuine
Archie
Argyle
Ashby
Ashford
Aston
Atherton
Cairn Terrier
Boy Names B to BMeaning
Baber
Bagley
BainScottish Gaelic bàn, meaning “white”, “fair”
Baker
Ballard
Bard
Barton
Bath
Berkeley
Bernard
BlaneOne who serves
Bodie
BowieBlond haired boy
Brice A speckled boy
Bruce
Bryce
Bunyan
Burr
Burt
Scottish terrier in grass
Boy Names C to CMeaning
Caelanpowerful warrior
Calder
CalumSignifying “dove,”
Camdyn Meaning “from the winding valley” (CAM-den)
Campbell Surname
Carr
Carson
Channing
ClydeRiver or Lochs
Coby
Colin
Collins
Conant
Connor
Conway
CorkinSurname
Cowan
Cricton
Croft
Bearded collie puppy in grass
Boy Names D to EMeaning
Darrow
Davis
Denton
DonaldFrom the Gaelic name Domhnall
Dougal
Dougie
Douglas
Dowell
Drake
Driscol
Duff Dark
Duffy
Dugal
Duncan
Dunn
Eaton
Edmund
Edward
Edwin
Golden Retriever puppy with ball
Boy Names F to GMeaning
Faden
Fagan
Falkland
FinlayFrom Fionnlagh, which means “white warrior.” (FINN-lee)
Finley
Finn
Fintan
Fletcher Surname
Forbes
Gallagher
GallusSlang meaning mischievous
Gavin
Gibbs
Gibson
Gilford
Glasgow
Glenn Gaelic word for “valley.”
Goodrich
Granger
GreerAlert or watchful
GregorWatchful or vigilant
Gunn
Scottish Dog Names - Cocker Spaniel puppy
Boy Names H to K Meaning
Halifax
HamishGod protects
Hansel
Hector
Henry
Herbert
Herman
Holcombe
Hunter Surname
Hurst
IverArcher, bow warrior
Jack
Kilgour
Kincade
Kirk
KnoxMeaning round hill
Kyle
Bearded collie puppy
Boy Names L to MMeaning
Lachlan From the land of lakes.”(LOCK-lin)
Lean
LoganLittle hollow
LoonSlang meaning “Boy”
MacBeth Shakespearean
Magoon
Maguire
Maleod
Marcas
McCree
McDuff
McEwansScottish beer
McFadden
McFee
Mcgee 
McGill
McGinnis
McGowan
McGrath
McIntyre
McKay
McNamara
McRuff
Michael
Moore
Morton
Muir
Munroe
Murdo
Bloodhound puppy
Boy Names N to RMeaning
Neil
Nevis
Newbury
Niblick
Ogden
Oliver Surname
Osborn
Oscar
Oswald
PadenRoyal (PAY-den)
Patton Surname
Putter
Rab Short for Robert
Ralph
Ralston
RamseySurname
Reed
Remy
Reynold
Richmond
RocketSlang for crazy person
Roy
Golden Retriever puppy sitting
Boy Names S to WMeaning
Scott
Shawn
Shone
Stanwood
Stewart
Stuart
Tam Short for ‘tammie’ a traditional Scottish bonnet worn by men
Tavis
Tavish  Twin
Walter
Watson
Whiting
Wickham
Wickliff
Wiley
Westie with muddy face

Scottish Dog Names – Unisex

NameMeaning
AinsleyFamous Scottish family name although roots likely from Nottinghamshire
BlairPlace names in Scotland
CameronCrooked nose
CoriSurname
JaimeOriginates from the name James
LennoxWith many elm trees
RaeScottish for “grace
RoryGaelic meaning “red-haired king”  (ROAR-ee)
TeaganAttractive, beautiful
TeasagScottish form of Jessie

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