Scottish Dog Names: Choosing Fido’s Name Made Easy

Last Updated on February 15, 2023

Did you just bring home a puppy from a Scottish breed who needs a great name? Maybe you’re Scottish, and you want to honor the rich history and culture of your people?

Perhaps you’re just looking for ideas to name your dog? Either way, we’ve gathered a plethora of names that can suit your pup.

A tri-color Shetland Sheepdog smiling
Three Shetland Sheepdogs laying on a hay bale

We’ve got plenty of names to choose from, so read on to find your inspiration.

Popular Scottish Dog Breeds

The lush lands of Scotland have provided many great dog breeds. Every one of those breeds offers unique looks and personalities that can inspire an equally impressive name.

So what are some of those beautiful breeds?

If you’re interested in more information on Scottish dog breeds, check out this video.

What is a good Scottish name for a dog?

How to choose the name that best suits your pup will ultimately be up to you, but there are plenty of ways to go about it.

If your dog is a Scottish breed, you may want to give them a proper Scottish name. Maybe you’re Scottish, and you want to honor that with your proud pooch.

No matter the reason, there are famous names, Gaelic names, historical names, names related to geography, or even names from food that could be perfect for your dog.

While trying to find the perfect fit for your pup, think about what will suit them best.

Does the name relate to their personality or look? Maybe the name should highlight their love of dinner time or their tiny stature?

Try to put some thought into how the name you choose can fit your pet. Also, try saying it out loud. You never know where the inspiration will come from, but there is plenty worth giving a shot.

a black shaggy Scottish Terrier laying on a grassfield
A long-haired Black Scottie sticking out its tongue

Famous Scottish Names for Your Dog

Are you a fan of naming your dog after famous characters, people, or pop culture? There’s nothing wrong with embracing your fandom, and we’ve got names that may be perfect.

  1. Burns – After Scottish poet Robert Burns.
  2. Connery – After famous Scottish actor Sean Connery.
  3. Connolly – After famous Scottish actor Billy Connolly.
  4. Ewan – After famous actor Ewan McGregor.
  5. Greyfriars Bobby – A famous Skye Terrier from Edinburgh who guarded his owner’s grave for 14 years until he passed away.
  6. Highlander – A famous movie that utilizes a term meaning a person from the Scottish Highlands.
  7. Lassie – The most famous Border Collie in cinema history.
  8. Lulu – A famous Scottish singer.
  9. McGonagall – After Minerva McGonagall in Harry Potter.
  10. Ness/Nessie – The Loch Ness Monster.
  11. Scotty – After the famous Scottish character Montgomery “Scotty” Scott in Star Trek.
  12. Sherlock – The famous detective brought to life by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
  13. Tartan – From Tartan Army, a Scottish football team.
  14. Wullie – From the Scottish comic strip Oor Wullie.

Top Scottish Dog Names

Here we’ve got some great names from Scottish and Gaelic terminology, which share Irish culture that could fit as a name for your dog.

Words, personality, surnames, geography, history, we’ve got them all covered.

Scottish Dog Names Inspired by Personality

  1. Aggie – Means “virtuous.”
  2. Aifric – Means “pleasant.”
  3. Coorie – Means “to cuddle.”
  4. Gordania – Means “heroic.”
  5. Jock
  6. Sorcha – Means “radiant.”
  7. Tam – Means “innocent.”

Scottish Dog Names with Meanings

Female Dog Names:

  1. Aila – Means “oak tree.”
  2. Barra – Means “fair-haired.”
  3. Caitriona – Means “pure.”
  4. Caoimhe – Means “gentle.”
  5. Davina – Means “beloved.”
  6. Deorsa – Means “farmer.”
  7. Ealair – Gaelic version of Hilary.
  8. Elspeth – Means “chosen by God.”
  9. Fearchar – Means “dear one.”
  10. Fenella – Means “white shoulder.”
  11. Gormlaith – Means “illustrious lady.”
  12. Grizel – Means “gray-haired.”
  13. Inglis – Means “English speaker.”
  14. Iona – Means “blessed.”
  15. Kinny – Means “from the top of the cliff.”
  16. Liusaidh – Means “warrior.”
  17. Mairead – Means “daisy.”
  18. Marsaili – Means “pearl.”
  19. Morag – Means “great.”
  20. Morna – Means “festive.”
  21. Murdag – Means “sea warrior.”
  22. Mairi – Variation of Mary, which means “bitter.”
  23. Mor – Means “great.”
  24. Naomhan – Means “holy.”
  25. Oighrig – Means “new speckled one.”
  26. Rona – Means “rough island.”
  27. Senga – Means “slender.”
  28. Sheena/Shona – Means “God is gracious.”

Male Dog Names:

  1. Adair – Means “happy spear.”
  2. Aiden – Means “fire.”
  3. Aindrea – Means “manly.”
  4. Alasdair/Alaister – Means “one who repels men.”
  5. Archibald – Means “bold master.”
  6. Argyle – Means “an Irishman.”
  7. Artair – Means “bear.”
  8. Barabal – Means “stranger.”
  9. Bhaltair – Means “strong fighter.”
  10. Calder – Means “rough water.”
  11. Calum – Means “dove.”
  12. Coinneach – Means “handsome.”
  13. Conall – Means “strong wolf.”
  14. Corkin – Means “the head of the dale.”
  15. Cowan – Means “hollow in the hill.”
  16. Domhnall – Means “world ruler.”
  17. Dougal – Means “dark stranger.”
  18. Duff – Means “dark.”
  19. Eachann – Means “keeper of horses.”
  20. Eimhir – Means “swift.”
  21. Fergus – Means “man of vigor.”
  22. Fingal – Means “fair stranger.”
  23. Finlay – Means “white warrior.”
  24. Forbes – Means “field.”
  25. Hamish – Means “God protects.”
  26. Heckie – Means “to restrain or defend.”
  27. Iain – Means “God is gracious.”
  28. Morven – Means “big gap.”
  29. Murdo – Means “sea warrior.”
  30. Padraig – Means “noble.”
  31. Rab/Rabbie – Means “bright.”
  32. Ruadh – Means “king.”
  33. Shug – Means “intellect.”
  34. Tadhg – Means “poet.”
  35. Tasgall – Means “God’s helmet.”
  36. Tavis – Means “hillside.”

Dog Names Inspired by Scottish Words

  1. Alba – Gaelic for Scotland.
  2. Baird – Gaelic form of the term bard.
  3. Bairn – a Scottish term for a baby.
  4. Cannie – Scottish slang for an intelligent person.
  5. Dafty – A foolish or silly person.
  6. Firth – Means “inlet of the sea.”
  7. Hume – Means “small island.”
  8. Ivor – Means “archer.”
  9. Laddie – A Scottish term for a young man.
  10. Lileas – Means “lily.”
  11. Loch – A Gaelic term for lake.
  12. Toaty – Means “small or tiny.”
Learn more about the Golden Retriever lifespan
A happy Golden Retriever on a flower field

Dog Names from Scottish Clans and Surnames

  1. Ainsley
  2. Aldridge
  3. Bagley
  4. Balfour
  5. Barclay
  6. Blair
  7. Cameron
  8. Campbell
  9. Carbrey
  10. Carlyle
  11. Carr
  12. Conway
  13. Crichton
  14. Croft
  15. Cuddy
  16. Driscoll
  17. Dunn
  18. Fraser
  19. Graham
  20. Greer
  21. Holcombe
  22. Keir
  23. Kilgore
  24. Kincade
  25. Lennox
  26. Maguire
  27. Maxwell
  28. McFadden
  29. McIntyre
  30. Muir
  31. Munroe
  32. Murray
  33. Richmond
  34. Sweeney
  35. Wickliff

Dog Names Inspired by Scottish Geography

  1. Aberdeen – A city in Scotland.
  2. Ackerman – Means “plowman.”
  3. Ackland – Means “oak land.”
  4. Andrews – After St. Andrews, a burgh in Scotland.
  5. Arran – From the Isle of Arran.
  6. Athol – A region of Scotland.
  7. Clyde – A river that runs through Glasgow.
  8. Cuillin – A mountain range on the Isle of Sky.
  9. Edinburgh – The capital of Scotland.
  10. Embra – A slang way to say Edinburgh.
  11. Glasgow – Scotland’s largest city.
  12. Islay – An island off the coast of Scotland.
  13. Kelso – A town in Scotland.
  14. Lomond – A lake in Scotland.
  15. Maree – A lake in Scotland.
  16. Moray – A region of Scotland.
  17. Oban – A town in Scotland.
  18. Papa – An uninhabited island of Scotland.
  19. Skye – From the Isle of Skye.
  20. Stirling – A city in Scotland.
  21. Tiree – A Scottish island.
  22. Tweed – A river in Scotland.

Dog Names Inspired by Scottish History and Works of Fiction

  1. Aneirin – A 6th-century poet.
  2. Bell – After Scottish-born Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone.
  3. Bruce – After King Robert the Bruce.
  4. Caledonia – The old Latin name for Scotland.
  5. Cinaed – A form of Kenneth and the name of the first king of the Scots.
  6. Fife – A former kingdom in Scotland.
  7. Macbeth – A Scottish king from William Shakespeare’s play.
  8. Malvina – From the Ossian cycle of James Macpherson.
  9. Ninian – A 5th-century bishop sent to convert the Picts of Scotland to Christianity.
  10. Rob Roy MacGregor – The famous Scottish outlaw turned folk hero.
  11. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle – Famous Scottish author of the Sherlock Holmes books.
  12. Tam Lin – From the legendary ballad originating in the Scottish Borders.
  13. Wallace – From William Wallace, who fought for Scottish independence, as seen in the film Braveheart.
Border Collie running outdoors and fetching a stick
A Border Collie biting a stick while playing on a field

Dog Names Inspired by Scottish Culture

  1. Bagpipes – A famous Scottish musical instrument.
  2. Caber – After the Caber Toss in the Highland Games.
  3. Celtic – Relating to the Celts and their language.
  4. Kilt – A garment that resembles a skirt. It was worn by the men of the Scottish Highlands.
  5. Plaid – After the color patterns in traditional Scottish clothing.
  6. Quid – Slang for the pound sterling currency.
  7. Sterling – Scotland’s currency.
  8. Thistle – The national flower of Scotland.

Dog Names Inspired by Scottish Food & Drinks

  1. Ale
  2. Bridie – A meat pastry.
  3. Chip – What a Scottish person would call fries.
  4. Clootie – A type of dumpling.
  5. Cranachan – A dessert.
  6. Haggis – A traditional Scottish food.
  7. Lager
  8. Scotch
  9. Smokie – A type of smoked haddock.
  10. Whisky

Funny Scottish Dog Names

  1. Baber – Means “lion.”
  2. Bain – Means “fair.”
  3. Bath
  4. Buddy
  5. Bunyan
  6. Camus – Means “the snub-nosed one.”
  7. Fergie – Means “highest choice.”
  8. Hydra
  9. Maitland – Means “bad-tempered.”
  10. Mulligan
  11. Mungo – Means “my pet.”
  12. Piper – Like a bagpiper.
  13. Putter
  14. Sileas – Means “blind.”
  15. Wiley

Scottish Terrier Dog Names

  1. Anice – Means “pure.”
  2. Bean – Means “fair.”
  3. Cailean – Means “young dog.”
  4. Calla – Means “beautiful.”
  5. Ceilidh – A gathering of traditional Scottish dancing.
  6. Fib – Name of a Pictish person.
  7. Finley – Means “white warrior.”
  8. Isla – From the term Islay.
  9. Kelpie – A shape-shifting water spirit.
  10. Lachlan – Means “from the land of the lakes.”
  11. Marcail – Means “little pearl.”
  12. Moibeal – Means “lovable.”
  13. Niblick – Means “nose lick.”
  14. Roddy – Means “island of reeds.”
  15. Roisin – Means “little rose.”
  16. Slaine – Means “health.”
  17. Terry – Means “power of the tribe.”
a light brown Cairn Terrier running
An energetic Cairn Terrier playing on a sunny day

The Best Male, Female, and Unisex Scottish Dog Names

Still on the hunt? Well, here we have some other, more familiar names that may help you in your search.

Female Scottish Dog Names

  1. Abi
  2. Ada
  3. Aileen
  4. Alice
  5. Ally
  6. Beitris
  7. Bonnie
  8. Cait
  9. Caitlin
  10. Cassidy
  11. Coby
  12. Cora
  13. Cori
  14. Dacey
  15. Darrow
  16. Deidre
  17. Dixie
  18. Edith
  19. Edna
  20. Effie
  21. Ellie
  22. Enya
  23. Eva
  24. Fia
  25. Fiona
  26. Flora
  27. Gala
  28. Glenna
  29. Isobel
  30. Jean
  31. Jinny
  32. Kelly
  33. Kenna
  34. Kenzie
  35. Kirstin
  36. Lara
  37. Lindsay
  38. Lorna
  39. Maisie
  40. Maura
  41. Moira
  42. Nessa
  43. Nicole
  44. Nora
  45. Olivia
  46. Paisley
  47. Tara
  48. Teagan
  49. Tyra

Male Scottish Dog Names

  1. Alan
  2. Alfred
  3. Alvin
  4. Anders
  5. Angus
  6. Archie
  7. Ashby
  8. Barton
  9. Bernard
  10. Bodie
  11. Boyd
  12. Brodie
  13. Bryce
  14. Burt
  15. Carson
  16. Channing
  17. Clark
  18. Colin
  19. Connor
  20. Craig
  21. Davis
  22. Deacon
  23. Denton
  24. Desmond
  25. Donald
  26. Douglas
  27. Drake
  28. Duncan
  29. Edmund
  30. Finn
  31. Gavin
  32. Gibbs
  33. Glen
  34. Grant
  35. Hansel
  36. Hector
  37. Herbert
  38. Hunter
  39. Jack
  40. Keith
  41. Kirk
  42. Logan
  43. Malcolm
  44. Neil
  45. Oscar
  46. Oswald
  47. Shawn
  48. Stuart

Unisex Scottish Dog Names

  1. Alpine/Alpin
  2. Baker
  3. Daw
  4. Erroll
  5. Faden
  6. Gilford
  7. Gunn
  8. Innis
  9. Jessie
  10. Moore
  11. Nevis
  12. Newbury
  13. Patton
  14. Remy
  15. Rorie
  16. Shone
  17. Whiting
two Bloodhound puppies on a basket
Two adorable Bloodhound puppies inside a basket

What should I name my Scottish dog?

Only you can only answer the ultimate question. Hopefully, our list has given you some ideas or even inspired your choice. If you know your dog, you’ll know when it’s right.

Further reading: Other dog names by Origin

 

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