"from Scotland, a Scotsman"
Origin: Old English/Latin
Language: English
Scott
Pronunciation: [ sk-AHT ]
Does Scott flow with your last name?
A crisp, no-nonsense name with deep Scottish roots
English
American
Scottish
Classic
Strong
Traditional
Minimalist
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Meaning & Origin
"wanderer, Gaelic speaker"
Origin: Latin Scotus
Language: Latin
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The Story of Scott
Scott is an Old English ethnic name meaning 'a Scotsman' or 'from Scotland', used to distinguish people of Scottish origin living in England or Ireland. It derives from the Latin 'Scotus' and the Old English 'Scotta', which originally referred to the Gaelic-speaking peoples of Ireland who colonized western Scotland. From a geographic descriptor it became a surname and then a beloved given name.
Scott dominated American baby name charts from the 1950s through the 1980s, peaking in the 1960s-1970s as a quintessential mid-century American masculine name. It carried an image of the clean-cut, competent American man — honest, athletic, and straightforward.
Scott carries the full weight of Scottish cultural pride, from the Highland clans to Robert the Bruce to Robert Burns. As a first name in America, it became associated with the confident suburban professional. F. Scott Fitzgerald embedded the name in American literary culture, adding a layer of romantic idealism.
Historical Record
Scott first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 755,909 babies have been named Scott in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Scott is past its peak , currently ranked #566 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- F. Scott Fitzgerald was named for his distant relative Francis Scott Key, who wrote 'The Star-Spangled Banner'
- Scott peaked at #12 in the US in 1971
- The word 'scot-free' shares no connection to the name — it comes from 'sceot', an Old Norse word for tax or payment
Scott in Other Languages
Latin
Scottus
French
Scott
German
Scott
Spanish
Scott
Scottish Gaelic
Scots
Popularity Over Time
#566
Current Rank
Peaked 1971
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Scott
F
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Writer
1896
American novelist who chronicled the Jazz Age in The Great Gatsby and Tender Is the Night
S
Scott Joplin
Musician
1868
African-American composer known as the 'King of Ragtime', composer of Maple Leaf Rag
M
Montgomery Scott (Scotty) Fictional
Other
Chief Engineer of the USS Enterprise in Star Trek, played by James Doohan
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Compare Scott with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #566
- Total SSA Count
- 517
- Cultural Origins
- English American Scottish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Scottie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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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
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Scott
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Scott is also used as a girl name, ranked #38339.
View Scott as a girl name →Similar Names
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Medieval English origin
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Anglo-Saxon origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Scott
What does the name Scott mean?
"from Scotland, a Scotsman" (from Old English/Latin). "wanderer, Gaelic speaker" (from Latin Scotus). Scott is an Old English ethnic name meaning 'a Scotsman' or 'from Scotland', used to distinguish people of Scottish origin living in England or Ireland. It derives from the Latin 'Scotus' and the Old English 'Scotta', which originally referred to the Gaelic-speaking peoples of Ireland who colonized western Scotland. From a geographic descriptor it became a surname and then a beloved given name.
What is the origin of the name Scott?
Scott has Old English/Latin, Latin Scotus, English, American, and Scottish origins. In Old English/Latin, it means "from Scotland, a Scotsman". In Latin Scotus, it means "wanderer, Gaelic speaker".
Is Scott a boy or girl name?
Scott is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #566. As a girl name, it is ranked #38339. Scott is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Scott?
Scott is pronounced sk-AHT.
How popular is the name Scott?
Scott is currently ranked #566 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Scott?
Common nicknames for Scott include Scottie.
What are good middle names for Scott?
Popular middle name pairings include Scott Michael, Scott Alan, Scott Lee, Scott David, Scott Thomas, Scott James, and Scott Andrew.
What are good sibling names for Scott?
Names that pair well with Scott as siblings include Todd, Brenda, Craig, Tracy, Darren, Sharon, and Brad.
How many syllables does Scott have?
Scott has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Scott a common or rare name?
Scott is moderately common, ranked #566 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What boy names are similar to Scott?
About the Name Scott
Scott is a boy name with English, American, and Scottish origins . The name means "from Scotland, a Scotsman" in Old English/Latin .
Is Scott a boy or girl name? Scott is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #566 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #38,339. Scott is more commonly used as a boy name.
Scott is currently ranked #566 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Scott has 1 syllable and is pronounced sk-AHT, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Scott include Scottie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Scott include Scottie, Scotty . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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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