Scotland

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Celtic Female Names of Scotland

Africa — formerly used in Scotland as anglicized form of Gaelic Oighrig, but use is nearly obsolete.
Aggie — Scottish pet form of Agnes and Agatha.
Agnes — from a Greek word meaning “pure” or “gentle”; after St. Agnes. Segna is a form of Agnes spelled backwards, from an old Scottish custom of backspelling. Ireland has traditionally used it as a translation of Una. Aignéis, Una, Aggie, Nesta, Nessa, Nessie, Segna.
Ailean — (AY-luhn) from the Old Irish word ail “noble” + dim. an. Aileana, Alana, Aila (AY-lah).
Aileen — (AY-leen)(Gr) “light”. Scottish variant spelling of Eileen.
Aili — (AY-lee)(OGer) “noble, kind”. Alison, Allie.
Ailie — Scottish pet form of Aileen, or anglicized spelling of Eilidh.
Ailios — “noble, kind”. Alice.
Ailis — (AY-less) “truthful”; form of Alice. Ailie, Alissa, Lissa.
Ailsa — (AYL-suh) modern Scottish name from Ailsa Craig, a rocky islet in the Clyde estuary off Ayrshire coast. Derived from Old Norse-Viking Alfisigesy “island off Alfsigr”; composed of alf “supernatural being, elf” + sigi “victory”. Possible anglicization of Ealasaid. Ailsa Craig is known in Gaelic as Allasa, or Creag Ealasaid. Form of Elsa from Hebrew Elizabeth, “consecrated to God”.
Ainsley — (AYN-slee) “one’s own meadow”. Ainslee.
Akira — “anchor”.
Alana — (ah-lah-nah) Fem. of Ailean (Alan). Alanna, Alannah.
Alba — (Scot) ancient name for Scotland; not very popular now.
Alexina — (aleck-seen-ah) Scottish (Highlands) elaborate form of pet name Alexandra. Alexine.
Alickina — feminine form of male Alick (Alec).
Aline — (AY-leen) anglicized form of Scots-Gaelic word àlainn, and (Irish) álainn “lovely”.
Alison — popular Scottish form of medieval Norman dim. Alice by adding the suffix –on. Allison, Alyson, Allyson. Pet forms Allie, Ally.
Allina — (AH-leen-ah) Scottish variant of Alina.
Alpina — form of male name Alpin; derives from Latin albinus “white” or “fair”.
Andra — (AN-drah) “strong and courageous”.
Andreana — (AN-dree-ah-nah) “strong” or “courageous”; fem. form of Andrew. Andrina.
Anice — “grace”; Scottish form of Ann/e.
Annag — Scottish Gaelic pet form of Anna.
Annella — (ah-nell-ah) elaborated Scottish form of Anne, common in the Highlands.
Annis — Scottish medieval vernacular form of Agnes. Annys, Annice.
Annot — (H) “light”.
Annys — Scottish, variant of Annis, in a deliberate archaic spelling.
Arabella — Scottish, uncertain origin, probably an alteration of An(n)abella. Arabel (now rare), Orabel.
Artis — “bear”; fem. form of Arthur.
Athdara — “successful spear-warrior”; fem. form of Adair. Adaira.
Athol — transferred use of the name of a Perthshire district, seat of the dukes of Atholl. The placename is thought to derive from the Gaelic ath Fodla “new Ireland”. Atholl, Athole.
Audrey — “noble strength”. Audra.

Barabal — Scots-Gaelic form of Barbara, from Latin “foreign woman”, “barbarian” or “stranger”. Barabell (BA-ra-bul).
Beasag — Nickname for Elizabeth. Bessie.
Beathag — (BEH-hack) “life” or “servant of god”; fem. of Beatha. The same word that’s the root for the word that becomes Beth in MacBethand is anglicized as Benjamin when given to a boy. Bethoc was the name of an 11th C. queen, daughter of Malcolm II. Anglicized as Rebecca or a child could be names Sophia instead of Beathag or Rebecca. Beth, Betha, Bathag (BAY-hak).
Beathas — (BEH-hahs) Gaelic name that means “wise”.
Beitidh — Nickname for Elizabeth. Betty.
Beitiris — (bet-er-eesh) Scottish form of Beatrice; possibly also Batrisch (ba-treesh).
Blair — “a dweller on the plains”. Blaire, Blayre.
Bonnie — (L) “pretty, sweet” or “beautiful”; “good, fair of face”. Bonny.
Bradana — Gaelic name meaning “salmon”.
Brae — (BRAY) “hillside or slope”.
Brenda — originated in Shetland Islands, fr. Norse brand for “sword”. Name of heroine of Sir Walter Scott’s The Pirate.
Bridget — (BRI-jit) “strength”; Scottish version of the Irish goddess Brighid (BREED). Bride, Brìghde.

Cadha — Celtic name meaning “from the steep place”.
Cailleach — (CAL-yech) from the original name for Scotland, Caledonia, which was taken from the name of the goddess. The Cailleach Beine Bric, or Veiled One, represented the Crone aspect of the Goddess, said to reborn every Samhain and turned into a stone on Beltane. Cailic.
Cairistìona — (KAR-ish-tchee-unna) “Christian”. Gaelic form of Christine/a.
Cameron — “crooked nose”. Camera.
Catrìona — (ka-TREE-uh-nuh or KAT-ree-unna) “pure”. Gaelic form of C/Katherine.
Ceit — Nickname for C/Katherine. Kate.
Ceitidh — Nickname for C/Katherine. Ceiteag, Katie.
Criosaidh — Nickname for Christine/a. Chrissie.
Christel — variant of name Christina. Christal.
Ciorstag — (KER-stuhk or KER-nyuhx) “pure”; Gaelic nickname for Christine or Catherine. Anglicized as Kirstie, Kirsty. Ciorstaidh, Catriona.
Claire — Sorcha.
Coira — “seething pool”. Cora.
Coleen — Gaelic word for “girl”. Colina, Colleen.
Constance — (L) “constant”. Connie.
Cullodena — “from the broken, mossy ground”; personal name from the placename Culloden. Cullodina.

Dallas — (Gael) “wise”; placename of a northern village in Scotland.
Daracha — “from the oak”.
Davina — “beloved”; Scottish form of David. Dava, Vina, Davonna, Davon, Davonda.
Deirdre — from Irish-Gaelic name for “sorrow”. The tragic heroine in Irish tales who fled to Scotland with her lover Naoise to escape King Conchobar. When they returned to Ireland, Naoise was murdered and she died on his grave.
Dervorgilla — From Old Irish Der Bforgaill: der “daughter” + Forgall, a god-name. Mother of John Balliol, King of Scots. She founded Balliol College, Oxford, in 1250. Dervla.
Diana — (L) “goddess of the moon”; a Roman goddess of the moon, but was also well known in Scotland.
Dìorbhail — (JIR-vil) “gift of God”. Dorothy.
Doilidh — Dolly.
Dolina — fem. form of Donald from Old Irish words domnan “world,” and gal “valor”. Dona, Donaldina, Dolly, Doileag, Dollag (DAW-lukh).
Donalda — (Gael) “world mighty”.

Ealasaid — (ee-AH-luh-sich or YALL-u-satch) “consecrated to god”; Scots form of Elizabeth. Elsbeth, Elspet, Elsie, Elspeth, Elspie, Elspy.
Eara — (ee-ahr-ah) “from the east”. Earie.
Edana — (EH-dah-nah) “little fire”, 6th C. Irish-born St. Edana, or Medana, founded convent at Maiden Castle. Legend says she held the veil from St. Patrick himself. City of Edinburgh formerly bore her name, dun Edana “Edana’s castle. ”
Edina — “from Edinburgh”; placename modified into a personal name. Edine, Edeen.
Effie — “good repute”; Scottish version of Euphemia, old spelling Oighrigh (II-rix). Popular until the 19th C.
Eilidh — (EH-lee) “light”. Helen, Ellen.
Eiric — “ever powerful”; Scottish version of Eric, taken from the Norse. Eirica, Erica, Ericka, Erika.
Erskina — “from the top of the cliff”.
Euphemia — (YOO-fee-me-ah) Effie, Oighrig, Eppy, Eppie.
Evanna — “right-handed”. Evina.

Fearchara — (ScotsGael) “dear one”.
Fenella — “white shoulder”; Gaelic form of Irish Fionnuala, from Old Irish finn “bright, fair” + guala “shoulders”. Name of heroine in Sir W. Scott’s Peveril of the Peak.
Fia — (FEE-ah) “dark of peace”.
Fiona — (FEE-oh-nah) “white” or “fair”; fem. form of Irish Finn or Fionn. Name created by 19th C. writer William Sharp when used as his pen name, Fiona MacLeod.
Flòraidh — (FLOH-ree or FLAW-ree) “flower”; Gaelic form of English Flora. Flora MacDonald helped Bonnie Prince Charlie escape to Isle of Skye after his defeat at Culloden, after which Floraidh became a popular Highland name. Flora is an anglicization of MacDonald’s Gaelic name, Fionnuala. Flora, Floraigh, Floraidh.
Forba — fem. version of clan name Forbeis. Forbia.
Fyfa — fem. form of Fyfe, the name of an ancient kingdom in easter Scotland. The name Fyfe is believed to have come from Fib, name of one of the seven sons of Cruithne, ancestor of the Picts.

Gail — “strong” or “stranger”. Gael, Gayle.
Gara — “short”. Garia, Gaira.
Gavina — “white hawk”. Gavenia.
Gillian — (JILL-ee-an) “youthful”. Jill, Jillian.
Giorsal — (GI-ruh-shuhl) Gaelic form of Grace.
Glen — From Gaelic place word gleann “valley”. Glenn.
Glenna — fem. form of Glen(n), from Gaelic gleann “valley”.
Glynis — “a narrow valley”.
Gordania — (GORSH-tuhn-a) fem. form of Gordon, from clan name from British gor “great” + din “hill-fort”. Gordana.
Gormla — (gohr-UHM-luh) Fr. Old Irish Gormflaith: gorm “splendid” + flaith “sovereignty”.
Greer — “vigilant, alert, watchful”; Scottish form of Gregory or a Scottish surname. Grear.
Grizel — “gray battle-maid”; Scottish adaption of Norse Griselda. Grisel, Grizzel, Grace (anglicized form).
Gunna — “warrior battle-maid”; Scottish version of Norse-Viking name Gunnar.

Heather — (OE) “heather”; Scottish name derived from the plant heather.

Ilisa — “truthful”; Scottish version of Elisa. Ilysa.
Ina — (EE-na) Originally a nickname for names ending in -ina, i.e. Georgina, Jamesina, Thomasina, Ina became popular in its own right.
Inghean — “the god’s daughter; Scottish fem. form of the Norse-Viking god Ing. Inghinn.
Innes — Fr. Gaelic word for “island”. Was first a surname and clan name, then first name.
Iona — From the name of the island in the Hebrides where St. Columba founded a monastery in 563.
Irvette — (O.E.) “seafriend”.
Iseabail — (I-shi-bel or EE-sha-bal) “consecrated to god”; Scots version of Isabel. Isobel, Isobelle, Isobell, Isabel, Isabelle, Isabell, Ishbel. Pet forms: Bel, Bell, Bella, Belle, Ella, Ib, Ibbie, Isa, Sib, Tib, Tibbie, Tibby.
Isla — Name of the Scottish island, Islay; also a river in Scotland.
Isobel — (H) “consecrated to God”; from Elizabeth. Isabel, Ishbel, Iseabail.

Jean — (H) “god is gracious” or “god’s gracious gift”; fem. form of John. Janet, Joan.
Jennifer — (Celt) “white wave”. From Welsh Gwenwhyfar (Guinevere).
Jinny — Scottish version of Jennifer, “white wave”.
Jocelin — “joyful”; Dim. form of Breton saint’s name, Josse. Norman French brought to Scotland in the 12th C. Jocelyn.

Keita — “woods or an enclosed place”. Keiti.
Kelsi — “sea harbor”; Scottish version of Chelsea.
Kenna — “handsome”; fem. form of Kenneth or Kenny (see Coinneach and Cinead). Ceana.
Kentigerna — From Old Irish cenn “head” + tigern “lord”. Name of an Irish queen who traveled to Scotland with her son St. Fillan. She lived as a recluse on the island of Inchebroida in Loch Lomond, where a church is dedicated to her.
Kenzie — “light-skinned’; personal name from a clan name.
Kyla — (kI-lah) “comely or lovely”. Kíla (possible original Gaelic spelling).

Lainie — “serves St. John”. Leana.
Lair — “mare”. Lara, Laria.
Laurie — “crowned with laurel”; from Laura. Laure.
Lioslaith — Poss. fr. Celtic lis “court” + celyn “holly”; also “gray fortress”. Lesley, Leslie. Usually spelled Lesley for a woman, Leslie for a man.
Leslie — (Gael) “the gray castle” or “the small meadow”.
Lilas — “lily”; form of Lillian.
Lilias — (LI-lee-as) Gaelic form of Lily, fr. Latin lilium. Lileas, Lilidh (li-LEE).
Lorna — “crowned with laurel”. Made up name by Scottish writer R.D. Blackmore for his novel’s heroine in Lorna Doone (1869). Logical fem. form of Lorne.

Machara — “plain”.
Mae — (H) “bitter”. Màili, May.
Magaidh — “a pearl”; from Margaret. Maggie, Maisie (archaic).
Màili — (MAH-lee or MAW-lee) “bitter”; Gaelic nickname for Mary. Molly.
Mairead — (MAY-ret or MA-ee-rat) “a pearl”; Gaelic form of Margaret. Popularized by St. Margaret in the Middle Ages. St. Margaret was born to the English royal house of Wessex, married Malcolm III, King of Scots. Mother of three kings as well.
Màiri — (MAH-ree or MAW-ree) “bitter”; Gaelic form of Mary. Mairi Mhor nan Oran (Big Mary of the Songs) was a 19th C. Gaelic poet. Moire, Muire.
Maisie — “a pearl”; version of Margaret.
Malmuira — “dark-skinned”.
Malvina — “armored chief”. Invented by Scottish writer James Macpherson in his Ossianic poems. Napolean originally named the Falkland Islands off S. America St. Malo; becoming “Malouines” and being that the “u” and “v” are interchangeable at the time and for euphonic reasons, Malvines/Malvinas prevailed. Malvi.
Marcail — “a pearl”; version of Margaret/Marjorie/Marjory.
Marion — “bitter”; version of Mary. Mae, May, Mòr.
Mariota — Dim. of Mary. Mariota was the name of the wife of the great Donald, Lord of the Isles.
Marsaili — (MAHR-suh-lee or MAR-sally) “a pearl”; version of Margaret/Marjorie/Marjory.
Maureen — “great”. Moreen.
Moibeal — “loveable”.
Moira — (Celt) “great”.
Moireach — “great one”.
Molly — (H) “bitter”.
Mòrag — (MAW-rack, MOHR-ahk or MOR-ack) “blind” or “bitter”; from Old Irish mor “big”. Classic Gaelic woman’s name; form of Sheila. Marion, Sarah “princess”.
Morven — (Morvyn) Poss. fr. Gaelic mor “big” + bhein “peak”. Name of mountains in Aberdeenshire and in Caithness. Also designates all of NW Scotland. Morvyn.
Muira — (MOOR-ah or MOOR-eh) from Gelic words muir “moor”. Muire.
Muireall — (MOOR-uh-yel) Fr. Old Irish muir “sea” + gel “bright, shining”. Name of an heiress of the Thane of Cawdor, who was kidnapped by Sir John Campbell in 1510, and became the ancestress of the Campbells of Cawdor. Anglicized Muriel.
Muirne — (MOOR-nyuh) Old Irish word for “beloved”, and name of character in J. Macpherson’s Ossianic poems. Morna.
Murron — (MOHR-in) Scots version of Irish Muirrean, from Old Irish muir “sea”, may also mean “sea-white” or “sea-fair”, and an ancient feminine version of Murphy. Muirrean, Muireann.

Nairne — “lives at the alder tree river”. Nairna.
Nansaidh — “grace”. Nancy (H).
Nathaira — “snake”. Nathara.
Nessa — Scottish nickname for Agnes used as a name by itself also. Nessa is also an Old Irish name.
Nichneven — a Samhain witch-goddess also called “divine” and “brilliant”. Also known in the Middle Ages as: Dame Habonde, Abundia, Satia, Bensozie, Zobiana, Herodiana. Folk takes say she rides through the night with her followers on Samhain Eve.
Nighean — a Gaelic dialect name meaning “young woman”. Nighinn.

Oighrig — (EU-ee-rick) “pleasant speech”; from Euphemia. Effie.
Osla — Name from Shetland Islands. Gaelic form of Norse name Aslaug, “god-consecrated”.

Paisley — personal name taken from the patterned fabric made in Paisley, Scotland.
Payton — “pastor, guardian”.
Peigi — (PAEG-ee) “a pearl”; version of name Peggy, a nickname for Margaret.

Raoghnailt — “innocence of a lamb”; version of Rachel (H). Raonaid (REUN-eetch).
Rhona — (ROH-nah) name of a Scottish island, from Norse hrauen “rough” + ey “island”; other sources say “powerful, mighty”.
Robena — “robin”. Robina.
Rossalyn — “a cape or promontory”.
Rowena — (Celt) “white mane”.
Rut — Ruth.

Saraid — (SAHR-ich) Fr. Old Irish sar “best, noble”. Sarait, daughter of legendary Irish monarch, Conn of the Hundred Battles, was considered the ancestress of the Scottish kings.
Scota — an Underworld goddess who gave her name to Scotland; she was the greatest teacher of martial arts, and was a warrior woman and prophetess who lived on the Isle of Skye. Scotta, Scotia, Scathach.
Seasaidh — (SHAY-see) “god is gracious”; Scottish dim. of Janet; popularized by Lowland Scots poet Robert Burns. Jessie.
Seonag — (SHAW-nack) “god is gracious”; version of Joan.
Seònaid — (SHAW-nich) “god is gracious”; version of Janet. Seona (SHAW-nuh).
Sheila — “blind”; from Cecila. Shela (“musical”).
Sile — (SHEE-luh) Gaelic form of Latin Cecilia; became popular in Scotland in early 20th C. Sheila, Sheelagh, Sheelah.
Sìleas — (SHEE-luss) “youthful one”. Julia, Celia “blind”.
Sima — (SHEE-mah) “listener” or “treasure, prize”.
Sìne — (SHEE-nuh) “God’s gracious gift”; version of Jean/Jane. Sheena, Sheenagh, Sheenah, Shena.
Siofra — word for a “changeling” or “little elf”. It’s also used as a term for a precocious child. It’s use as a name is modern (20th century).
Siubhan — “praised”.
Siùsaidh — (SHOO-see) “graceful lily”; version of Susan.
Skena — Gaelic name adopted from the placename Skene.
Sorcha — (SOHR-uh-xuh) Fr. Old Irish sorchae “bright, radiant”.
Struana — “from the stream”.

Tavia — “eighth”; version of Octavia. Teva.
Tavie — “twin”; version of Tavish.
Tira — “land”. Tyra.
Torra — “from the castle”.

Una — Fr. Old Irish uan “lamb”. Often anglicized in Scotland as Agnes, which means “lamb” in Greek.

Vanora — “white wave”. Venora.
Vika — “from the creek”.

Wynda — “from the narrow or winding passage”.