132 Scottish Dog Names to Celebrate History and Heritage
Searching for a pup name with substance and swagger? Boasting a hearty brogue and historic pedigree, Scottish dog names certainly fit the bill. Whether honoring your family’s heritage, your dog’s breed history, or a favorite fictional character, these Scottish names are both classic and unique.
Here, we’ve curated a wide-ranging list of pawesome name ideas, from the Highlands to the Isles to the whisky tasting rooms. Sláinte!
Best Scottish Dog Names
- Angus
- Archibald
- Bonnie
- Brodie
- Duff
- Duncan
- Jock
- Fergus
- Fiona
- Lassie
- Macbeth
- Mack
- Maisie
- Mackenzie
- Scottie
- Skye
- Watson
Angus: Meaning “strength,” this lovable Scottish boy’s name has pup potential for both beefy Bulldogs and petite Poodles.
Archibald: Whether you call you four-legged friend Archibald or Archie, this one is guaranteed to be a hit at the dog park.
Bonnie: Does it get any cuter than a bestie named Bonnie? Made popular by the Scottish folksong “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean,” this classic name means “pretty.”
Brodie: Used as both a first and last name in Scotland, this masculine moniker feels playful and sporty – just like your pup!
Duff: Short, sweet, and silly, Duff is a slam-dunk.
Duncan: This traditional Scottish name has a studious quality, making it a funny fit for goofy pups.
Jock: In Disney’s “Lady and the Tramp,” Jock is a Scottish terrier. In Scotland, the name is a diminutive for John, similar to Jack.
Fergus: Meaning “strong one,” Fergus is a solid Scottish name with a super sweet nickname – Fergie!
Fiona: In the “Shrek” universe, Princess Fiona is from the kingdom of Far Far Away. However, as her name is traditionally Scottish and her beloved speaks with a Scottish accent, we’re bestowing her with honorary Scot status.
Lassie: The Scottish term for a young girl is also the name of everyone’s favorite Collie!
Macbeth: Double double, toil and trouble – this Shakespearean pup name makes us chuckle! (For a female pup, Lady Macbeth is even funnier.)
Mack: An ancient Scottish surname meaning “son,” Mack is a jaunty pick for modern-day pups.
Maisie: Meaning “pearl,” this gem of a Scottish name has been used since the 16th century.
Mackenzie: For a baby, Mackenzie might feel a bit dated. But this trendy ‘90s girl’s name is a funny and unexpected choice for dogs.
Scottie: Your BFF doesn’t have to be a “Scottie dog” to use this adorable name.
Skye: This airy name is a nod to the Scottish isle of the same name.
Watson: Meaning “son of Walter,” Watson will forever be a great sidekick name thanks to Dr. Watson of “Sherlock Holmes” fame. (While the character is British, the series’ author, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, is Scottish.)
Scottish Dog Names for Males
Lucky lads! Scotland has a ton of great masculine names befitting of man’s best friend. Here are our favorites for male dogs.
- Barclay
- Ewan
- Glasgow
- Gordon
- Laddie
- Lyall
- Knox
- Maxwell
- Patton
- Sinclair
Barclay: Meaning “woodland clearing,” Barclay is a posh name with a nature-inspired side.
Ewan: Perhaps most commonly associated with Scottish actor Ewan McGregor, Ewan means “born of the mountain,” making it especially nice for mountain breeds.
Glasgow: For the cosmopolitan pup, consider Scotland’s largest city.
Gordon: You just know any dog named Gordon is going to be a Very Good Boy.
Laddie: A traditional pick for Lassie’s brother.
Lyall: Looking for a truly wild name? Derived from an Old Norse word meaning “wolf,” this Scottish surname originated from a Highlands clan of Vikings.
Knox: Meaning “round-topped hill,” Knox is a short and snappy choice.
Maxwell: If you’re looking for something a little more unique than Max, try the stylish (and Scottish) Maxwell.
Patton: This unusual Scottish name shortens to the much more common “Pat” – which everyone can agree is a hilarious dog name.
Sinclair: This Scottish surname has a silly sophistication that we love for dogs.
More Scottish Dog Names for Males
- Alpin
- Arran
- Bram
- Clyde
- Craig
- Gavin
- Glen
- Graham
- Hamilton
- Hunter
- Innes
- Kendrick
- Knox
- Loch
- Keith
- Mackay
- MacLeod
- Malcolm
- Murdoch
- Oliver
- Ramsay
Female Scottish Dog Names
Don’t worry, lasses – we didn’t forget about you! These female Scottish dog names are positively pawfect:
- Ainsley
- Cameron
- Davina
- Elspeth
- Iona
- Mary
- Merida
- Lennox
- Lorna
- Róisín
Ainsley: Meaning “woodland,” this natural beauty is a nice way to honor your four-legged friend’s wild roots.
Cameron: Although traditionally a unisex Scottish name, Cameron is modernly used for girls more frequently.
Davina: Meaning “beloved,” this female version of David describes our pups perfectly.
Elspeth: The Scottish form of Elizabeth has an uncommon beauty.
Iona: This sweet and simple choice comes from the Scottish island of the same name.
Mary: A nod to Mary, Queen of Scots, the 16th century monarch who was known to have a number of pampered canine companions.
Merida: Calling all ginger girls! As fans of Disney’s “Brave” know, Princess Merida is a strong young woman with big plans and even bigger hair.
Lennox: We love this name’s trendy “x” ending and super cute nickname – Lenny!
Lorna: This elegant Scottish name means “fox,” a wild relative from the canidae family.
Róisín: A fresh-picked name meaning “little rose,” Róisín is perfect for your loyal little flower.
More Female Scottish Dog Names
- Aberdeen
- Aileen
- Blair
- Briar
- Elsie
- Freya
- Isla
- Lillias
- Maggie
- Mirren
- Paisley
- Piper
- Sheena
- Sloane
Scottish Gaelic Dog Names
Scottish Gaelic is an indigenous language. Although rarely used in conversational speech, many Scottish-Gaelic words – including beautiful names – are still used in Scotland today. For an extra helping of history and heritage, consider these traditional names.
- Alba
- Conall
- Finlay
- Logan
- Kenna
- Madra
- Murdina
- Oighrig
- Ruadh
- Sorcha
Alba: It doesn’t get any more Scottish than Alba, the Scottish-Gaelic word for “Scotland.”
Conall: Meaning “strong wolf,” Conall is an ancient name that still packs a powerful punch.
Finlay: Translating to “fair-hair hero,” Finlay is a fitting choice for golden-coated pups.
Logan: Derived from a Scottish-Gaelic word meaning “little hollow,” Logan has a modern mood.
Kenna: Have a feisty four-legged friend? Kenna means “fire-born.”
Madra: For an on-the-nose name, consider Madra, the Scottish-Gaelic word for “dog.”
Murdina: For water-loving breeds, Murdina – meaning “sea warrior” – has aquatic appeal.
Oighrig: Although Oighrig can be challenging to pronounce, Effie is traditionally used as a nickname.
Ruadh: If your BFF is a ginger, consider Ruadh, which means “red.”
Sorcha: This sunny name means “brightness,” making it perfect for the pup who lights up every room.
More Scottish Gaelic Dog Names
- Alasdair
- Annag
- Annis
- Cairstine
- Catriona
- Cináed
- Coinneach
- Domhnall
- Ealair
- Fenella
- Fingal
- Gavina
- Lachlan
- Liùsaidh
- Mairi
- Mòrag
- Rhona
- Rory
- Tavish
- Uisdean
Scottish Whiskey Dog Names
Scotland has a rich whisky making history, with distillation records dating back to the 15th century. For a toast-worthy name, consider these spirited choices.
- Barley
- Cooper
- Cragganmore
- Dewar
- Heather
- Hoggie
- Johnnie
- Peat
- Scotch
- Sláinte
Barley: Originally, all Scottish whisky was made from barley, a hardy grain that also makes for a strong name.
Cooper: This classic dog name is also the word for a craftsman who makes barrels used to age whisky.
Cragganmore: Many Scottish distilleries have names that are fun to say, such as Cragganmore. (See also: Burn O’Bennie, Knockando, and Wolfburn.)
Dewar: This popular Scotch whisky has been pouring since 1846. For a nickname, Dewie is cute as can be.
Heather: Scotch whisky is known for having floral notes of heather, a common plant in the Highlands.
Hoggie: A hogshead, or “hoggie,” is a type of specialized cask used to ripen Scotch whisky.
Johnnie: First made by Scottish grocer John Walker, Johnnie Walker is now one of the world’s most famous whisky brands.
Peat: Some Scottish whisky is made using peat fire, which lends a smoky flavor. (At the dog park, most people will assume your pup’s name is simply Pete – but you’ll know the tippling truth.)
Scotch: A whisky cannot be called Scotch unless it is 100% produced and bottled in Scotland. Fortunately, any dog can be named Scotch!
Sláinte: Meaning “health” in Scottish Gaelic, Sláinte is the English equivalent of “cheers.”
More Scottish Whiskey Dog Names
- Ballantine
- Bowmore
- Chivas
- Glenfiddich
- Glenkinchie
- Glenlivet
- Laphroaig
- Malt
- Speyside
Funny Scottish Dog Names
If you’re looking for a Scottish-inspired name with a sense of humor, you’ve come to the right place. From silly sounding to historically hilarious, these funny Scottish dog names are sure to make you smile.
- Clootie
- Groundskeeper Willie
- Haggis
- Macduff
- Nessie
- Shrek
- Tilda Swinton
- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- Stoick the Vast
- Toaty
- Wolfsbane
Clootie: A clootie is a Scottish dessert dumpling. It also makes for a goofy dog name with tons of nickname potential – including Clootie-Patootie.
Groundskeeper Willie: This one’s for you, “Simpsons” fans. The fan-favorite character is known for his thick Scottish accent, wolf-wrestling prowess, and disdain for all things French.
Haggis: The traditional Scottish dish is polarizing (at best). But everyone can agree that Haggis the Pup is a winner.
Macduff: For best results, you’ll want to call him “Lord Macduff,” obviously.
Nessie: There’s nothing monstrous about your precious pup, of course. But even so, a Loch Ness Monster name-check is always funny.
Shrek: The lovable ogre’s Scottish accent is the work of comedian Mike Myers. If you have an oversize pup with smelly habits, consider giving this name the green light.
Tiida Swinton: There’s a sweet spot when it comes to funny celebrity pet names – you want a namesake famous enough to be recognizable, but obscure enough to surprise people. Scottish actress (or Pennsylvanian Pug) Tilda Swinton fits the bill perfectly.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: Generally speaking, any dog name beginning with “Sir” is funny. We assume Scottish writer and “Sherlock Holmes” creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle would agree.
Stoick the Vast: Here you go, big buds! In “How to Train Your Dragon,” Stoick the Vast is the exasperated chief of the Hairy Hooligan tribe.
Toaty: Scottish slang for “little,” Toaty is an adorable word for an adorable pup.
Wolfsbane: In the “X-Men” universe, Scottish mutant Wolfsbane is a werewolf-like shapeshifter. It’s an amusing name for any breed, but Wolfsbane the Chihuahua is especially silly.