Cameron

Pronunciation: [ k-AM-er-uhn ]

Boy Name #66 Most Popular Steady 3 Syllables

A proud Scottish Highland clan name with global crossover appeal

Scottish American British Australian

Strong Modern Classic Bold

Meaning & Origin

"crooked river, winding stream"

Origin: Scottish Gaelic

Language: Scottish Gaelic

"crooked nose"

Origin: Scottish Gaelic

Language: Gaelic

The Story of Cameron

Cameron comes from the Scottish Gaelic 'cam sròn,' literally meaning 'crooked nose.' While the literal meaning sounds unflattering by modern standards, it was a common physical nickname in medieval clan culture — a memorable identifier for an ancestor. The Clan Cameron is one of Scotland's most prominent Highland clans, with strongholds in Lochaber. The name became a prestigious Scottish surname before spreading globally as a first name.

Cameron became popular as a first name in the 1980s and 90s in the US, UK, and Australia. It crossed the gender line in the 1990s partly due to actress Cameron Diaz, though it remains predominantly male. The name peaked in the early 2000s and has settled at comfortable mid-tier popularity.

In Scotland, Cameron is inseparable from the Highland clan system — one of the great Jacobite clans, loyal to the Stuart kings. As a first name, it represents the broader trend of Scottish clan surnames becoming global given names, carrying Celtic heritage without requiring fluency in Gaelic tradition.

Fun Facts

The Clan Cameron motto is 'Sons of the hounds, come here and get flesh' — reflecting the fierce warrior culture of the Scottish Highlands
James Cameron, director of Titanic and Avatar (two of the highest-grossing films ever), helped make Cameron a globally recognized name

Cameron in Other Languages

French Cameron

Spanish Cameron

Japanese キャメロン

Scottish Gaelic Camshròn

Famous People Named Cameron

Cameron Diaz

Actor

1972

American actress known for The Mask, There's Something About Mary, and Charlie's Angels

David Cameron

Politician

1966

British Prime Minister from 2010 to 2016, who led the Conservative Party and called the Brexit referendum

James Cameron

Other

1954

Canadian-American film director and screenwriter behind Terminator, Titanic, and Avatar — two of the three highest-gross...

Canadian-American film director and screenwriter behind Terminator, Titanic, and Avatar — two of the three highest-grossing films in history

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 3
Popularity Rank: #66
Total SSA Count: 4,817
Cultural Origins: Scottish American British Australian
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Common Nicknames

Cam

Pairs Well With

Cameron James Cameron Lee Cameron Scott Cameron Alexander Cameron Reid Cameron Grant

Sibling Names

Logan Hayden Piper Jordan Taylor Blake

Also a Girl Name

Cameron is also used as a girl name, ranked #485.

View Cameron as a girl name →

Similar Names

Anderson Jefferson Henderson Edson Ellison Iverson Emery Pierson

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

Can't decide?

Start a tournament bracket with Cameron and other names you're considering.

Start a Tournament

Like this name?

Check how Cameron sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.

Analyze This Name

Browse more boy names →

Explore 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

Frequently Asked Questions About Cameron

What does the name Cameron mean?

"crooked river, winding stream" (from Scottish Gaelic). "crooked nose" (from Scottish Gaelic). Cameron comes from the Scottish Gaelic 'cam sròn,' literally meaning 'crooked nose.' While the literal meaning sounds unflattering by modern standards, it was a common physical nickname in medieval clan culture — a memorable identifier for an ancestor. The Clan Cameron is one of Scotland's most prominent Highland clans, with strongholds in Lochaber. The name became a prestigious Scottish surname before spreading globally as a first name.

What is the origin of the name Cameron?

Cameron has Scottish Gaelic, Scottish, American, British, and Australian origins. In Scottish Gaelic, it means "crooked river, winding stream". In Scottish Gaelic, it means "crooked nose".

Is Cameron a boy or girl name?

Cameron is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #66. As a girl name, it is ranked #485. Cameron is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Cameron?

Cameron is pronounced k-AM-er-uhn.

How popular is the name Cameron?

Cameron is currently ranked #66 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Cameron?

Common nicknames for Cameron include Cam.

What are good middle names for Cameron?

Popular middle name pairings include Cameron James, Cameron Lee, Cameron Scott, Cameron Alexander, Cameron Reid, and Cameron Grant.

What are good sibling names for Cameron?

Names that pair well with Cameron as siblings include Logan, Hayden, Piper, Jordan, Taylor, and Blake.

How many syllables does Cameron have?

Cameron has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.

Is Cameron a common or rare name?

Cameron is a very popular name, ranked #66 among boy names in the United States.

About the Name Cameron

Cameron is a boy name with Scottish, American, British, and Australian origins . The name means "crooked river, winding stream" in Scottish Gaelic .

Is Cameron a boy or girl name? Cameron is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #66 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #485. Cameron is more commonly used as a boy name.

Cameron is currently ranked #66 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Cameron has 3 syllables and is pronounced k-AM-er-uhn, making it distinctive and memorable.

Common nicknames for Cameron include Cam. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.