Rising since 2010, #2,076 for girls today.
Popularity of Scotland since 1975
Babies named Scotland per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 0 | 5 |
| 1980s | 0 | 17 |
| 1990s | 0 | 48 |
| 2000s | 73 | 71 |
| 2010s | 269 | 75 |
| 2020s | 382 | 56 |
Meaning & origin
Scotland is one of the more vivid examples of the American trend for using place names as given names. First recorded as a personal name in the United States in the year 2000, it has gradually climbed in usage and reached its peak rank of 2076 in 2025. In that year, it had a rarity of 1 in 17,859, making it an uncommon but noticeable choice. The name has been on the rise since 2010, aligning with a broader cultural appreciation for names that evoke heritage, travel, or landscape. Its strongest popularity has been in Idaho, Utah, and Tennessee, states where place-name names are particularly well received. As a unisex designation, Scotland fits alongside other locational choices like Ireland, London, and Paris, though it carries a more rugged, northern feel. While its meaning is simply that of the country itself, for many parents it embodies pride in Scottish ancestry or admiration for the nation's history and scenery.
Scotland is a direct adoption of the English place name for the country, which itself derives from the Latin 'Scoti' (a term for the Gaels) and the Old English 'land' (land, territory). The use of the country's name as a personal name is a very recent phenomenon, reflecting a modern trend of using patriotic or aspirational place names as given names, often for boys but also for girls. It has been recorded as a first name in the United States since the year 2000, following a broader pattern of using geographical names like America, Ireland, and England.
Where Scotland is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Sibling names for Scotland
Names that share Scotland's style, for a brother or sister.
