115 Scottish Dog Names Inspired by Country & Culture

Published January 25, 2021
Pair of black and white scottish terrier

The Gaelic language and culture may inspire Scottish dog names. This language is not the only dialect spoken in Scotland but was the region's dominant language until the 16th century. Many people use Gaelic names to proclaim Celtic ancestry.

Scottish Dog Names

Pet parents with Celtic ancestry may consider Gaelic culture or clan names for new pups. The meaning of many Gaelic names is unique and may fit the personality of almost any canine. Celtic ancestry inspires names for Scottish dog breeds and any pet parent with a European heritage.

Traditional Gaelic Clan Names for Male and Female Dogs

Scottish Gaelic surnames are not typical for canines but perfect for many breeds and mixes. Do you know any terriers with the name Brenda? There are many Gaelic clan names perfect for both male and female dogs.

  • Alpin - derives from the Latin albinus
  • Ailis - Alice
  • Aulay - Norse name Olof
  • Nic - 'daughter of'
  • Fionnuala - bright shoulders
  • Brenda - derives from the Norse brand 'sword'
  • Baird - surname Gaelic plain, field battlefield
  • Boyd - man's nickname derived from yellow or fair-haired
  • Artair - Arthur
  • Catriona - Catherine
  • Davina - David
  • Eonan - little Adam
  • Finlay - Finn
  • Greer - Gregory
  • Hamish - James
  • Iain - John
  • Ina - nickname for any female name that ends in 'ina'
  • Kenna - feminine form of Kenneth
  • Lileas - Lily
  • Macdonald -son of Donald
  • Maili - Mary
  • Marsaili - Marjorie
  • Martainn - Martin
  • Morag - classic woman's name
  • Padruig - Padyn
  • Peadair - Peter
  • Pol - Paul
  • Raibeart - Robert
  • Rory - red
  • Seona - Joan
  • Seumas - James
  • Sile - Cecilia
  • Simon - Simeon
  • Sine - Jean
  • Stewart - House of Stuart
  • Tomas - Thomas
  • Uilleam - William
  • Uisdean - Austin
  • Wallace - William Wallace
  • Walter - Sir Walter Scott
Scottish Dog Names Inspired by Country & Culture

Gaelic Culture Inspired Dog Names

The Gaelic culture is from Ireland and became dominant throughout Scotland.

  • Gabhran - little goat
  • Gowan - blacksmiths
  • Lorne - one of the first three sons to land in Scotland
  • Mirren - patron saint of football
  • Muireall - name of an heiress of the Thane of Cawdor
  • Muirne - old Irish word for beloved
  • Mungo - patron saint of Glasgow
  • Nessa - old Irish name
  • Nevin - the traditional first name in Galloway
  • Ossian - little deer

Gaelic Place Names for Dogs

Gaelic place names are common for humans but not as much for canines. Fife is perfect when you need an original name.

  • Blair
  • Keith
  • Ailsa
  • Fordyce
  • Craig
  • Erskine
  • Fife
  • Glen
  • Innes
  • Iona
  • Isla
  • Kyle
  • Lachlan
  • Logan
  • Muir
  • Munro
  • Osla
  • Rhona
  • Ross
West Highland White Terrier On Autumn Leaves

Dog Names for Traditional Scottish Breeds

Pet parents typically look for a mix of Celtic, Gaelic, whimsical, and bold names for three popular Scottish dog breeds.

Scottish Deerhound Dog Names

The deerhound is a large breed of hound once bred to hunt the red deer.

  • Chattan
  • Sorcha
  • Delphi
  • Artos
  • Luguri
  • Azor
  • Bangle
  • Charles
  • Edwin
  • Essex
  • Gram
  • Jebel
  • Clee
  • Gaston
  • Hans
Two Scottish Deerhounds Dogs

Scottish Terrier Dog Names

This terrier is also known as the scottie.

  • Fenella
  • Struan
  • Torquil
  • Nessa
  • Sumeli
  • Little Pepper
  • Molly
  • Scotty
  • Sprite
  • Joy
  • Otley
  • Truffles
  • Gaston
  • Clee
  • Chandler

West Highland White Terrier Dog Names

The West Highland white terrier is known for his harsh white coat.

  • Leslie
  • Tearlach
  • Coventina
  • Belenus
  • Fergus
  • Balto
  • Cassidy
  • Darby
  • Fala
  • Hamlet
  • Holmes
  • Jackpot
  • Macho
  • Nomad
  • Pongo
Highland terrier running in field

Celtic Ancestry Informs Scottish Dog Names

Pet parents typically need to do a lot of research to find the perfect Scottish dog name. A name inspired by Gaelic places, culture, and heritage is perfect for most breeds and mixes. The boy names may be perfect for a female dog, too, and vice versa, so this list of names is for inspiration. Use these categories as a way to be creative.

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115 Scottish Dog Names Inspired by Country & Culture