Declining since 2021, #6,143 for boys today.
Popularity of Hamish since 1981
Babies named Hamish per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 17 |
| 2000s | 92 |
| 2010s | 145 |
| 2020s | 105 |
Meaning & origin
The Scottish name Hamish, anglicized from the Gaelic Seumas, has a long history in Scotland but remains a relatively rare choice in the United States. First recorded in the U.S. in 1981, it reached its peak popularity in 2021, ranking 6,143 in 2025 with about 1 in 122,005 newborn boys receiving the name. Its trajectory has been falling since 2021, indicating a recent decline in favor. Despite this, Hamish retains a strong cultural association with Scotland and is well-known internationally through figures like actor Hamish Linklater. The name has not been concentrated in any particular U.S. states, reflecting its broad but sparse usage across the country.
Hamish is the anglicized form of the Scottish Gaelic name Sheumais, which is the vocative case of Seumas, itself the Scottish Gaelic form of James. James derives from the Hebrew name Ya'aqov (Jacob), meaning 'supplanter' or 'heel-grabber.' The name has been used in Scotland for centuries and gained wider popularity in the English-speaking world in the 20th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ham
Variants: Sheumais, Seumas
Sibling names for Hamish
Names that share Hamish's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Iona, Fiona, Mairi, Elspeth, Kenna, Ailie, Ailsa, Catriona, Davena, Davie, Donalda, Donelda, Edina, Gillie, Grissel, Islay, Isobel, Jenetta, Kennie, Kirsta, Kirstie, Kirsty, Lassie, Lockie, Madgie, Magie, Malvina, Rhona, Shona, Airlie, Aisla, Ceilidh, Eilidh, Epsie, Imrie, Seona, Tamlyn
Brothers: Angus, Callum, Ewan, Finlay, Lachlan, Alasdair, Alastair, Aleister, Alistair, Alister, Allister, Barclay, Calum, Chalmers, Euan, Ewen, Fergus, Findlay, Forbes, Fraser, Gordie, Graeme, Greig, Guthrie, Iain, Jock, Keir, Leith, Lorn, Macallan, Macgregor, Malcolm, Mcdonald, Mickle, Murdock, Pate, Rankin, Tam, Tavis, Tavish, Wilkie, Cregg, Alaster, Ewin, Macdonald, Matheson
