"red-haired, ruddy complexion"
Origin: Old Scottish/Old English
Language: English
Reid
Pronunciation: [ r-EED ]
Does Reid flow with your last name?
A clean Scottish one-syllable classic
Scottish
Irish
English
American
Strong
Minimalist
Classic
Vintage
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Reid
Same sound, same style — different options
Meaning & Origin
"red"
Origin: Scottish Gaelic
Language: Scottish
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Reid
See all →What the Reid report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Reid 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 Reid
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Reid head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
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.
Historical Record
Reid first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 37,009 babies have been named Reid in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Reid is a steady classic , currently ranked #300 for boy names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#300
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Steady Classic
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Kane
Boy
"fighter"
#432
Adam
Boy
"red earth, ground"
#100
Giovanni
Boy
"God is gracious"
#122
Clayton
Boy
#318
Grady
Boy
"descendant of Grádaigh"
#371
Compare Reid with:
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
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, Irish heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Reid
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Reid fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Reid is also used as a girl name, ranked #4508.
View Reid as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Reid →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 Reid with...
Same Origin Names (Scottish)
See all Scottish names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Reid
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
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Kane
Boy
Welsh origin
"fighter"
#432 in US
Adam
Boy
Hebrew adamah origin
"red earth, ground"
#100 in US
Giovanni
Boy
Hebrew via Latin Italian origin
"God is gracious"
#122 in US
Clayton
Boy
English origin
#318 in US
Grady
Boy
Irish origin
"descendant of Grádaigh"
#371 in US
Brandon
Boy
Old English origin
"broom-covered hill"
#230 in US
Jensen
Boy
Hebrew via Scandinavian origin
"son of God's grace"
#328 in US
Raiden
Boy
Japanese origin
"thunder and lightning"
#449 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Reid's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
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.
What boy names are similar to Reid?
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.
Keep Exploring
Old Scottish/Old English Names
Browse all names with this origin
R
Names Starting with R
More boy names like Reid
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy 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