330+ Scottish Dog Names For Your Kilted Canine

Aye there, fellow dog lovers! If you're a proud dog owner, then you know how important it is to give your pup the perfect name. And what better way to celebrate your Scottish ancestry and love for Scottish culture, than by giving your dog a traditionally Scottish name.

With its rugged landscapes and centuries of fascinating and rich history, Scotland offers a wealth of inspiration when it comes to finding the perfect Scottish dog name. Whether you're a die-hard Outlander fan or simply love the idea of paying homage to your Scottish roots, there's a name out there that's perfect for your pooch.

In this article, we'll dive into the origins of the most popular names among dog owners in Scotland, and look at how your pup's name can pay tribute to the unique beauty of Scottish life. So, don your kilt laddies and let's get started!

Female Scottish Dog Names for your Wee Lassie

Are you the proud mom or dad of a beautiful Scotslady? Then look no further than this extensive list to find the ideal Scottish name. “Elizabeth” is a timeless classic with many options for nicknames, so why not go with the Gaelic “Elspeth” for an added touch of class and uniqueness?

Ada

Aggie (Scottish form of Agnes or Agatha)

Aileen (scottish version of Eileen)

Ailish

Alice (Gaelic Name “Ailis”)

Bessie (Gaelic Name “Beasag”)

Bonnie

Bretta

Briar

Cait

Cassidy

Coira (means “seething pool”)

Curstaidh (Scottish version of Kirstie)

Deidra

Donella

Edith

Effie

Elspeth (Scottish form of Elizabeth)

Enya

Fae

Fenella

Fergie

Fifer

Finella

Gail

Greer

Iona

Isla

Jessie

Joan (female version of Scottish “John” or “Ian”)

Kenna (female version of Kenneth which means “fire-born”)

Kenzie (short for “Mackenzie”)

Kerry

Maggie

Maisie

Molly

Morag

Nora

Rhona

Rona

Rose

Sheena (Scottish version of Jane)

Shona

Sloane

Tara

Teagan

Una

Wynda (means “narrow path”)

Male Scottish Dog Names for your Wee Laddie

Look no further for all the best Scottish boy dog names. We have you covered from A to Z! There are so many fantastic names to choose here, we can’t even settle on a favorite.

Acton (name means “from the oak tree settlement”)

Aidan (Gaelic Name “Aodhan”)

Alfred

Alistair

Angus

Archibald

Archie

Bagley

Bain

Blair

Blane

Boyd

Brodie

Caelan

Callum

Cameron (crooked nose)

Campbell (crooked mouth)

Channing

Clark

Connor

Conway

Dougal

Dougie

Douglas

Duncan

Fagan

Fergus

Fingal

Finlay (means “white warrior”)

Finn

Fintan

Fraser

Gallagher

Gavin

Gibbs

Gordon (after the Gordon Setter breed)

Gunn

Gus

Hamilton (Scottish clan name)

Ian (Scottish version of John)

Iver

Knox

Lachlan

Logan

Lyall

MacDonald (one of the famous clan names)

Mack

Mackay (one of the famous clan names)

Maxwell

Mulligan

Murdag

Murdoch (“Murdo” for short)

Neil

Norman

Oscar

Oswald

Ralph

Ramsey

Reynold

Rorie

Rory

Scott

Shug (Scottish form of Hugh)

Sinclair

Stewart

Funny Scottish Dog Names 

If you want a Scottish name with a bit of humor attached, the language of the Scots does not disappoint. From Gaelic to colloquial slang, there is an option for every personality. We adore “McRuff” for something completely original.

Alba	Gaelic for Scotland
Bairn	baby
Bean	from “beathan” meaning life
Caledonia	Latin name for Scotland
Canny	Slang for a smart person
Céilidh	traditional scottish dancing
Coorie	meaning “to cuddle”
Dafty	A foolish person
Dixie	Scottish word meaning “telling off”
Doonhamer	person from the town of Dumfries
Ealair	cheerful
Gallus	Scottish slang for mischievous
Hogmanay	last day of the year
Kilt	kilt – knee length garment worn by men in the Highlands
Laddie	Scottish term for a young man
Lassie	Scottish term for a young woman
MacWee	Scottish clan name
McRuff	play on “mc” surnames in Scotland and “ruff” the sound a dog makes
Paisley	iconic pattern printed in the town “Paisley” during the Industrial Revolution
Piper	for bagpipes
Plaid
Quid	slang for the pound sterling
Rae	timid
Rocket	slang for crazy
Scooby	slang for clue
Scottie	a person from Scotland
Shoogly	shaky/giddy
Sterling	Scottish currency
Tammie	traditional bonnet worn by men
Tartan	for the Tartan Army
Tavish	means “twin”
Totie	slang for “little”

Dog Names Inspired Gaelic Words for Animals

Choosing a dog name based on foreign language words for animals is a growing trend. We love “Grumphie” for a pup thats a bit too obsessed with his food!

Balgair	means “fox”
Cailean	Scottish Gaelic word for “young dog”
Conall	means “strong wolf”
Coo	cow
Corny	the unicorn is Scotland's national animal
Cuddie	horse
Doo	pigeon
Eachann	means “horse”
Gavenia	means “white hawk”
Grumphie	pig
Hoolet	owl
Hurch	hurcheon (hedgehog)
Madigan	means “little dog”
Madra	Gaelic word for dog
Mathan	bear
Mowdie	mole
Nathara	snake
Puddock	toad
Sheltie	Shetland Sheepdog
Tod	fox

Unique Scottish Dog Names Inspired by Scotland’s Geography

This country has some of the most beautiful geography in the world and is a great source of inspiration for Scottish dog names.

Aberdeen	city
Ailsa	One of the Scottish islands
Alloa	town
Andrew	St. Andrews is a town in East Scotland (home of St. Andrews University)
Arabella	village in the Scottish Highlands
Argyll	county
Arran	Isle of Arran
Ayr	town
Balmoral	Balmoral Castle – bought for Queen Victoria/family home of Queen Elizabeth
Cawdor	village and a castle
Clyde	River in Glasgow
Cuillin	mountain range
Dean	Dean Village – famous village in Edinburgh
Duart	castle
Duff	Duff House
Dundee	city
Edinburgh	the capital city, “Edin” for short
Elgin	town
Embra	Scottish slang for Edinburgh
Falkland	town
Fara	One of the Scottish islands
Fyvie	village and a castle
Glam	Glamis Castle – birthplace of Princess Margaret
Glasgow	Scotland's largest city
Helensburgh	Village near Glasgow, “Helen” for short
Inverness	Main city in the Scottish Highlands
Islay	Scottish island
Jura	island
Katrine	freshwater loch
Kelso	market town
Kelvin	River in Glasgow
Kirkcaldy	Kirkcaldy – town – “Kirk” for short
Leith	Water of Leith – main river in Edinburgh
Lomond	freshwater loch
Lossiemouth	Lossiemouth – town
Malin	Malin Sea – southwest of Scotland
Maree	Loch (lake)
Mey	Castle of Mey – was owned by the Queen Mother
Montrose	town
Moray	county
Munro	mountain with elevation of more than 3000ft
Ness	freshwater loch
Orkney	archipelago
Papa	uninhabited island in the Scalloway islands
Dunrobin	Dunrobin castle
Roslin	Village in Edinburgh
Shetland	islands
Skye	Isle of Skye
Stanraer	Stanraer – town
Stirling	Stirling Castle
Tay	longest river in the Scottish Highlands
Tiree	island
Tobermory	Tobermory – burgh on the Isle of Mull
Torridon	Village in the Highlands
Troon	town
Tweed	river

Dog Names Based on the Scottish Words for Colors

Choosing a dog name based on colors is a great way to pay tribute to your pup's unique coat color. We love “Dubh” (pronounced “Duv”) for a wee little Scottie.

Buidhe	yellow
Donn	brown
Dubh	black
Fiona	name means “white”
Geal	white
Glas	gray
Gorm	blue
Orains	orange
Pinc	pink
Purpaidh	purple
Ruadh	red
Uaine	green

Dog Names Inspired by Scotland’s Popular Drinks

The land of whisky and ale – there are so many brands of scotch to look to when trying to find amazing Scottish dog names.

Ale	another word for beer
Ardbeg	Ardbeg whisky
Balvenie	whisky
Barley	originally all scotch was made from barley
Chivas	whisky
Cooper	craftsman who makes barrels used to age whisky
Cragganmore	cragganmore – whisky
Dewar	Dewar whisky
Glenfiddich	whisky
Hoggie	cask used to mature whisky
Johnnie	Johnnie Walker
Macallan	whisky
Oban	whisky
Scotch	Scottish whisky
Talisker	whisky
Whisky
Mead	honey based alcoholic drink
Whipkull	traditional drink made from egg yolk, sugar, rum and cream

Scottish Dog Names Inspired by Scotland’s Cuisine

Food is a dominant part of Scottish culture and full of some great ideas if you’re looking for an unusual dog name.

Bridie	meat pastry
Chip	the British word for “fries”
Clapshot	also called neeps and tatties
Clootie Patootie	Clootie – dried fruit dumpling (play on saying “Cutie Patootie”)
Cranachan	dessert
Cullen	cullen skink – thick Scottish soup
Dunlop	cheese
Haggis	traditional Scottish dish
Neep	Neeps and Tatties – mashed potato and mashed swede or turnip
Shorty	shortbread
Skirlie Girlie	skirlie – savory oatmeal
Smokie	type of smoked haddock – from Arbroath
Stovie	dish of potatoes, onions, meat and fat
Tattie	Neeps and Tatties – mashed potato and mashed swede or turnip
Tayberry	manmade fruit – mix between blackberries and raspberries

Dog Names from Scottish History and Famous People

From Sean Connery to William Wallace, there is no shortage of legendary people to name your dogs after.

Arthur	Arthur Conan Doyle – writer
Barrie	James Matthew Barrie – Peter Pan creator
Bell	Alexander Graham Bell – invented the telephone
Bobby	Greyfriars Bobby – guarded owner's grave for 14yrs
Bruce	King Robert the Bruce
Burns	Robert Burns – poet
Conan	Sir Arthur Conan Doyle – writer
Connery	Sean Connery – actor
Connolly	Billy Connolly – actor
Elsie	Elsie Inglis – doctor and suffragette
Ewan	Ewan McGregor
Flora	Flora MacDonald – helped Bonnie Prince Charlie escape Scotland
George	George Buchanan – tutor to Mary Queen of Scots
Hume	David Hume – philosopher
Kevin	Kevin McKidd – actor
Lennox	Annie Lennox – singer
Logie	John Logie Baird – invented the TV
Lulu	pop singer and actress
Mackintosh	Charles Rennie Mackintosh – architect
Mary	Mary Queen of Scots
Rennie	Charles Rennie Mackintosh – architect
Rob Roy	legendary outlaw – Scottish Robin Hood
Wallace	William Wallace – Scottish knight
Walter	Walter Scott – writer
Welsh	Irvine Welsh – novelist

Great Scottish Names from Movies, TV Shows and Books

Pop culture as always remains a favoured place to search for a beloved moniker for your pet. We love “Braveheart” for a fearless pup.

Braveheart	Braveheart
Broon	The Broons – comic
Corra	A discovery of witches
Freyja	A discovery of witches
Gallowglass	A discovery of witches
Hamish	A discovery of witches
Highlander	Highlander
Holmes	Sherlock Holmes
Hotshot	Beano (Hotshot Hamish)
Jock	Lady and the Tramp
Lady MacDuff	Shakespeare's MacBeth
Lord MacDuff	Shakespeare's MacBeth
MacBeth	Shakespeare
Merida	Brave
Minerva	Minerva McGonagall – Harry Potter
Nesbitt	Rab. C. Nesbitt – comedy series
Scotty	Montgomery “Scotty” Scott – Star Trek
Sherlock	Sherlock Holmes
Shrek	Shrek franchise
Stoic the Vast	How to Train your Dragon
Tam Lin	fairy knight from legendary ballad
Toto	The Wizard of Oz
Willie	Groundskeeper Willie – The Simpsons
Wolfsbane	X-Men
Wullie	Oor Wullie Comics

Dog Names with Origins in Scottish Mythology

Is there a more Scottish name than “Ness” or “Nessie”? 

Kelpie	shapeshifting water spirit usually in the form of a horse
Ness	loch ness monster
Nessie	legendary loch ness monster
Selkie	“seal folk” – beings who can change from seal to human form
Willo	Will-o'-the-wisps – bog or marsh spirits shaped like flames
Wulver	benevolent humanoid wolf – put fish on the windowsills of poor families

Exquisite Scottish Dog Names Inspired by Beautiful Nature

There are some beautiful Scottish dog names here inspired by the splendor of nature. We adore “Bramble” for a pupoy with an adventurous outdoor spirit.

Ainsley	means “meadow”
Barclay	means “birch tree meadow”
Bramble	blackberry
Camden	means “winding valley”
Firth	estuary
Forbes	means “field”
Glen	means “small valley”
Heather	flower
Loch	lake or sea inlet
Marcail	means “pearl”
Rabbie	means “bright/shining”
Rosheen	means “little rose”
Sorcha	means “brightness”
Thistle	national flower

Sporty Names for your Scottish Pup

Do you have an agility master on yout hands? Choosing a sporty name then is a no-brainer. Our top pick is “MacNab” for an all round sporting legend,

Caber	Caber Toss – traditional sport
Coulthard	David Coulthard – Formula One
Fife	East Fife football
Fleck	John Fleck – football
Golf	golf was invented in Scotland in 1764
Higgins	John Higgins – snooker
Kay Lee Ray	wrestler
MacNab	sporting challenge – shoot a stag and 2 grouse and catch a salmon
McGinn	John McGinn – football
Murray	Andy Murray – tennis
Niblick	golf club
Shankly	Bill Shankly – football
Shinty	game similar to field hockey
Stennie	Stenhousemuir football
Stoltman	Luke Stoltman – strongman
Taylor	Josh Taylor – boxing

Scottish Dog Breeds

Ah, Scotland! The land of tartan, bagpipes, and some of the most popular dog breeds in the world. They come in all shapes and sizes, from tiny terriers to giant hounds. Let’s take a look at what makes them so special.

Scottish Terrier

Known as the “Scottie”, this small but mighty pooch was originally bred to hunt rats and foxes. With its signature short legs, pointy ears, and scruffy coat, the Scottish Terrier is a true Scottish icon, and has even graced the White House as a presidential pet. Despite its size, the Scottish Terrier is fearless, feisty, and fiercely independent, and makes a great companion for those who appreciate a bit of sass and spunk.

Cairn Terrier

The Cairn Terrier is another pint-sized powerhouse that was bred to hunt small game in the rugged Scottish Highlands. Its name comes from the cairns (piles of stones) that were used to mark the entrances of burrows where prey animals would hide. These terriers are known for their boundless energy, intelligence, and loyalty, and make a great family dog.

Border Collie

It comes as no surprise that one of the world’s most beloved and popular dog breeds originated in Scotland. The Border Collie is a working dog par excellence and is considered by many to be the smartest dog breed in the world. Originally bred to herd sheep and cattle on the Scottish borders, the Border Collie is a natural athlete, and excels in agility, obedience, and any other canine sport you can think of.

Shetland Sheepdog

Another herding dog that hails from Scotland is the Shetland Sheepdog, or “Sheltie” for short. This is a highly intelligent and trainable dog that excels in herding, agility, and obedience. However, it's also a gentle and affectionate companion that loves nothing more than cuddling with its human family.

Rough Collie

This majestic and elegant dog is perhaps best known as the breed that inspired the novel and movie “Lassie”. The Rough Collie, a herding dog, is known for its loyalty, intelligence, and grace. It has a long and silky coat that requires regular grooming, but the effort is well worth it for those who appreciate a dog with a regal and dignified presence.

Scottish Deerhound

This is one of the largest and most powerful dogs in the world. Originally bred to hunt deer and other large game in the Highlands, the Scottish Deerhound is a sighthound that can run at incredible speeds and has a keen sense of sight and smell.

Despite its size and strength, however, the Scottish Deerhound is a gentle and laid-back dog and is a great choice for those who want a giant dog that is not aggressive or hyperactive.

Gordon Setter

The Gordon Setter is a large and athletic dog that was originally bred to hunt birds in the Scottish moors and is known for its striking black and tan coat, long ears, and friendly disposition. It's a great choice for those who want a dog that is both a skilled hunter and a loyal companion.

Final Thoughts

Scottish dog breeds are some of the most fascinating and charming dogs in the world and deserve more recognition and appreciation. Whether you prefer a small and spunky terrier, a giant and regal hound, or anything in between, there's a Scottish dog breed that will steal your heart and make you smile. So, go ahead and adopt a Scottish dog, and discover the joys of owning a furry friend that is both a piece of history and a bundle of unbridled joy!