"plain, flat area, field"
Origin: Scottish Gaelic
Language: English
Blair
Pronunciation: [ bl-EHR ]
Does Blair flow with your last name?
One sharp syllable with Scottish highland roots
Scottish
English
American
Strong
Minimalist
Sophisticated
Elegant
Bold
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Blair
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Blair
4 shorthand options for every setting
Fantasy Names
Blair as a Fantasy Character
Human lore, pronunciation, D&D class tips
Meaning & Origin
"battlefield, clearing"
Origin: Gaelic
Language: Scottish
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Blair
See all →What the Blair report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Blair the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Blair
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Blair head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Blair actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
Things to Know About This Name
- Blair Witch Project (1999) horror film association for some parents
The Story of Blair
Blair comes from the Scottish Gaelic 'blàr,' meaning a plain, field, or flat area — often specifically a battlefield. It originated as a Scottish place name and family surname before transitioning to a given name. Its crisp single syllable and gender-neutral sound have made it popular in both the UK and North America as a first name for girls and boys alike.
Blair gained momentum as a girl's name in the US during the 1980s and 1990s, buoyed by the character Blair Warner on The Facts of Life. It saw another wave of interest after Gossip Girl's Blair Waldorf became a cultural icon in the late 2000s.
In Scotland, Blair remains largely a surname. As a place name, it appears in locations like Blair Atholl and Blairgowrie. Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair made the name widely recognizable, though primarily in its masculine surname context.
Historical Record
Blair first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 21,329 babies have been named Blair in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Blair is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #218 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl is one of TV's most iconic characters with this name
- Blair comes from the same root as 'blarney' in some etymology theories
- It's one of the few one-syllable names that works elegantly for girls
Blair in Other Languages
French
Blair
Spanish
Blair
Scottish Gaelic
Blàr
Popularity Over Time
#218
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Blair
S
Selma Blair
Actor
1972
American actress known for Cruel Intentions and her advocacy work after her multiple sclerosis diagnosis
L
Linda Blair
Actor
1959
American actress who starred in The Exorcist at age 14, one of Hollywood's most famous child performances
B
Blair Waldorf Fictional
Other
Iconic fashion-forward protagonist of Gossip Girl known for her ambition and impeccable style
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Mckenna
Girl
"descendant of the fire god"
#378
Raelynn
Girl
"modern invented name combining radiance and grace"
#113
Magnolia
Girl
"great, noble (from botanist's surname)"
#138
Anya
Girl
"prayer, God has favored"
#394
Aaliyah
Girl
"exalted, sublime"
#93
Compare Blair with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #218
- Total SSA Count
- 1,412
- Cultural Origins
- Scottish English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Nicknames
Bla
Bly
Blie
Blakins
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Distinctive pick, Scottish heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Blair
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Blair fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Boy Name
Blair is also used as a boy name, ranked #2167.
View Blair as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Blair →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Blair with...
Same Origin Names (Scottish)
See all Scottish names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Blair
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Blair and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Blair sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Mckenna
Girl
Scottish Gaelic origin
"descendant of the fire god"
#378 in US
Raelynn
Girl
American origin
"modern invented name combining radian..."
#113 in US
Magnolia
Girl
Latin Magnus origin
"great, noble (from botanist's surname)"
#138 in US
Anya
Girl
Hebrew (Hannah) origin
"prayer, God has favored"
#394 in US
Aaliyah
Girl
Arabic origin
"exalted, sublime"
#93 in US
Remi
Girl
Latin remigius origin
"oarsman"
#146 in US
Myla
Girl
Slavic origin
"gracious, dear, beloved"
#186 in US
Ellie
Girl
Greek origin
"bright, shining light"
#21 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Blair's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Blair
What does the name Blair mean?
"plain, flat area, field" (from Scottish Gaelic). "battlefield, clearing" (from Gaelic). Blair comes from the Scottish Gaelic 'blàr,' meaning a plain, field, or flat area — often specifically a battlefield. It originated as a Scottish place name and family surname before transitioning to a given name. Its crisp single syllable and gender-neutral sound have made it popular in both the UK and North America as a first name for girls and boys alike.
What is the origin of the name Blair?
Blair has Scottish Gaelic, Gaelic, Scottish, English, and American origins. In Scottish Gaelic, it means "plain, flat area, field". In Gaelic, it means "battlefield, clearing".
Is Blair a boy or girl name?
Blair is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #218. As a boy name, it is ranked #2167. Blair is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Blair?
Blair is pronounced bl-EHR.
How popular is the name Blair?
Blair is currently ranked #218 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Blair?
Common nicknames for Blair include Bla, Bly, Blie, and Blakins.
What are good middle names for Blair?
Popular middle name pairings include Blair Elizabeth, Blair Olivia, Blair Catherine, Blair Marie, Blair Rose, Blair Anne, and Blair Victoria.
What are good sibling names for Blair?
Names that pair well with Blair as siblings include Reid, Quinn, Finn, Sloane, Gray, Drew, Avery, and Logan.
How many syllables does Blair have?
Blair has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Blair a common or rare name?
Blair is a popular name, ranked #218 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
What girl names are similar to Blair?
About the Name Blair
Blair is a girl name with Scottish, English, and American origins . The name means "plain, flat area, field" in Scottish Gaelic .
Is Blair a boy or girl name? Blair is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #218 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #2,167. Blair is more commonly used as a girl name.
Blair is currently ranked #218 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Blair has 1 syllable and is pronounced bl-EHR, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Blair include Bla, Bly, Blie, and Blakins. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Blair include Blaire, Blaise, Blaine . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Scottish Gaelic Names
Browse all names with this origin
B
Names Starting with B
More girl names like Blair
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis