A 1970s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Scotty since 1915
Babies named Scotty per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 25 |
| 1920s | 102 |
| 1930s | 295 |
| 1940s | 690 |
| 1950s | 1,631 |
| 1960s | 4,482 |
| 1970s | 6,075 |
| 1980s | 3,033 |
| 1990s | 1,265 |
| 2000s | 612 |
| 2010s | 399 |
| 2020s | 421 |
Meaning & origin
Scotty entered the U.S. baby name records in 1915 and saw a significant rise in popularity during the mid-20th century. It reached its peak rank of 1393 in 1971, a year of high use that aligns with its strongest generational association, the 1970s. After declining for several decades, the name has been rising again since 2014. Its popularity has been notably concentrated in states like Utah, Oklahoma, and Washington at various times. The name is a classic diminutive that offers a friendly, approachable feel without losing its connection to Scottish heritage.
Scotty is a diminutive of Scott, which originated as an ethnic surname meaning 'a Scotsman' or 'someone from Scotland.' The given name Scott became popular in the English-speaking world in the 19th century. Scotty emerged as a familiar or pet form, gaining independent use as a given name, especially in the United States.
Where Scotty is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Sibling names for Scotty
Names that share Scotty's style, for a brother or sister.
