Fashion

10 ‘extinct’ Scottish baby names that haven’t come back in style in decades

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1 year ago

September 26, 2023

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10 ‘extinct’ Scottish baby names that haven’t come back in style in decades

While every name is lovely in its own way, there is no denying that some are more common than others.

Every year, the National Records of Scotland compiles the 100 most popular girl’s and boy’s names. It has done this going all the way back to 1935, meaning it is easy to take a look at how naming trends have changed over the last 88 years.

One of the more interesting things about the research is that it shows names that were once featured among the most popular in the country that have since fallen out of the top 100.

The Daily Record has compiled 10 of these names and delved deeper into their origins and meanings.

Whether you are keen to pick a rare name for your newborn, or are just fascinated by Scots heritage and history, reading through this list is sure to teach you a thing or two.

Here are 10 ‘extinct’ Scottish names that were once among the most popular in the country, as well as their origins and meanings.

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According to the National Records of Scotland, Albert was last seen in the top 100 most popular boy’s names back in 1962. It was popular in the 1930s, but its usage fell throughout the 1940s and 1950s. German in origin, the classic name means ‘noble’ and ‘bright’, which is very apt when you consider the most famous person in history with the name is Albert Einstein.

(Image: Bettmann / Getty Images)

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It’s hard to believe today, given that Agnes is not a name that you tend to see too often in Scotland, but it was actually the sixth most popular girl’s name in the country in 1900. Its usage dwindled throughout the 20th century, however, and it fell out of the top 100 altogether in 1970. The name, which is Greek in origin, means ‘pure’ and ‘holy’. Among the most famous Scots with the name was Agnes Forbes Blackadder, a doctor who became the first female graduate of the University of St Andrews.

(Image: Image courtesy of the Decker family, CC BY-SA 3.0 )

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Given how old-fashioned it sounds, it perhaps isn’t surprising that Cornelius was last seen in the top 100 boy’s names back in 1941. It is of Latin origin, and is thought to derive from the word ‘cornu’, meaning ‘horn’. While there aren’t many famous Scots with the name, Cornelius Vanderbilt (pictured) is known as one of the richest Americans in history.

(Image: American Stock/ClassicStock/Getty Images)

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According to the National Records of Scotland, Betty was last seen in the 100 most popular girl’s names back in 1938. With both English and Hebrew origins, the beautiful name is actually a shortened form of Elizabeth, and means ‘oath of God’. Again, there aren’t many famous Scots to have bore the name, with American actress Betty White (pictured) being arguably the most well-known in the world.

(Image: Bob Riha, Jr./Getty Images)

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One of the few names on this list that actually has Scottish origins, Dugald was last among the most popular in the country back in 1942. Meaning ‘dark stranger’, it comes from the Celtic name Dougal. One of the most iconic Scots to have had the name is philosopher and mathematician Dugald Stewart, to whom there is a monument on Edinburgh’s Calton Hill (pictured).

(Image: Ad Meskens, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)

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Edna is a name that you might be surprised to learn was last seen in the top 100 girl’s names in Scotland in 1942, given how timeless it sounds. Hebrew in origin, the biblical name means ‘renewer’, ‘delight’, and ‘rejuvenation’. Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and playwright Edna St. Vincent Millay (pictured) is among the most well-known historical figures with the name.

(Image: Bettmann / Getty Images)

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According to the National Records of Scotland, the masculine name Gilbert last appeared in the top 100 boy’s names back in 1953. German in origin, it means ‘shining pledge’ or ‘bright promise’. Scottish 13th century Cistercian monk, abbot, and bishop Gilbert of Glenluce, whose seal is pictured, is one of the most well-known historical figures with the name.

(Image: Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

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Henrietta last featured in the top 100 girl’s names in Scotland in 1941. Derived from the masculine name Henry, it is both French and English in origin. It is believed that the name grew in popularity in the UK thanks to Henrietta Maria of France (pictured), the queen consort of England, and wife of Charles I of England.

(Image: GeorgiosArt / Getty Images)

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The girl’s name Janette was last seen in the top 100 back in 1965. Another name that actually has Scottish origins, it is a variant of the Hebrew name Jane and the Scots name Janet — and means ‘God is gracious’. If you were around in Scotland during the 1970s, you will no doubt remember Janette Tough (pictured) from comedy duo The Krankies.

(Image: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

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Finally, we have Murdo, which according to the National Records of Scotland last appeared in the top 100 boy’s names in 1949. This Scottish name means ‘son of the sea warrior’, and with such an awesome origin it is hard to believe it fell out of popularity. There are plenty of famous Scots to have had the name over the years, including football player and manager Murdo MacLeod (pictured).

(Image: Allsport UK/ALLSPORT)