"red-haired, ruddy complexion"
Origin: Old Scottish/Old English
Language: English
Reid
Pronunciation: [ r-EED ]
Boy Name
#300 Most Popular
Rising
1 Syllable
A clean Scottish one-syllable classic
Scottish
Irish
English
American
Strong
Minimalist
Classic
Vintage
Meaning & Origin
"red"
Origin: Scottish Gaelic
Language: Scottish
The Story of Reid
Reid is a Scottish and Northern English surname derived from the Old English and Old Scottish word 'rēad' meaning 'red' — likely originally a nickname for someone with red hair or a ruddy complexion. As surnames were adopted in medieval Britain, Reid became one of the most common Scottish surnames, eventually crossing over as a given name in the 20th century. The -d ending distinguishes it from Reed (the plant) and Read (to study).
Reid has grown steadily as a first name since the 1990s, appealing to parents who want a strong, one-syllable name that sounds classic without being overly common. It has benefited from the trend toward surnames-as-first-names and sits comfortably alongside Knox, Blake, and Grant.
In Scotland, Reid is one of the top 100 surnames, with a strong presence in the Scottish Lowlands. The name carries Celtic heritage without being unpronounceable to non-Gaelic speakers — a balance that makes it ideal for multicultural families.
Fun Facts
- Reid is one of the 50 most common surnames in Scotland
- Harry Reid served as US Senate Majority Leader from 2007-2015 — the most powerful holder of the name in recent American politics
- The variant spelling Read became a common word (to read) making the Reid spelling essential to distinguish the name
Reid in Other Languages
French
Reid
English
Reid
Spanish
Reid
Japanese
リード
Scottish
Reid
Famous People Named Reid
R
Reid Scott
Actor
1977
American actor known for playing Dan Egan in the HBO comedy Veep
H
Harry Reid
Politician
1939
American politician who served as US Senate Majority Leader (2007-2015) from Nevada
S
Spencer Reid Fictional
Other
Brilliant FBI profiler character in the CBS drama Criminal Minds, played by Matthew Gray Gubler for 15 seasons
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #300
- Total SSA Count
- 1,118
- Cultural Origins
- Scottish Irish English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Pairs Well With
Reid James
Reid Thomas
Reid Alexander
Reid Owen
Reid William
Reid Joseph
Reid Henry
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Reid is also used as a girl name, ranked #4508.
View Reid as a girl name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Reid and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Reid 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
Frequently Asked Questions About Reid
What does the name Reid mean?
"red-haired, ruddy complexion" (from Old Scottish/Old English). "red" (from Scottish Gaelic). Reid is a Scottish and Northern English surname derived from the Old English and Old Scottish word 'rēad' meaning 'red' — likely originally a nickname for someone with red hair or a ruddy complexion. As surnames were adopted in medieval Britain, Reid became one of the most common Scottish surnames, eventually crossing over as a given name in the 20th century. The -d ending distinguishes it from Reed (the plant) and Read (to study).
What is the origin of the name Reid?
Reid has Old Scottish/Old English, Scottish Gaelic, Scottish, Irish, English, and American origins. In Old Scottish/Old English, it means "red-haired, ruddy complexion". In Scottish Gaelic, it means "red".
Is Reid a boy or girl name?
Reid is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #300. As a girl name, it is ranked #4508. Reid is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Reid?
Reid is pronounced r-EED.
How popular is the name Reid?
Reid is currently ranked #300 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Reid?
Popular middle name pairings include Reid James, Reid Thomas, Reid Alexander, Reid Owen, Reid William, Reid Joseph, and Reid Henry.
What are good sibling names for Reid?
Names that pair well with Reid as siblings include Knox, Chase, Wyatt, Sloane, Blair, Quinn, and Brooke.
How many syllables does Reid have?
Reid has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Reid a common or rare name?
Reid is a popular name, ranked #300 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Reid
Reid is a boy name with Scottish, Irish, English, and American origins . The name means "red-haired, ruddy complexion" in Old Scottish/Old English .
Is Reid a boy or girl name? Reid is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #300 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #4,508. Reid is more commonly used as a boy name.
Reid is currently ranked #300 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Reid has 1 syllable and is pronounced r-EED, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Reid include Reign, Reilly, Reiner, Rei . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.