Scottish Names for Boys

The surname of the influential early Scottish inventor of logarithms could make an inspiring middle name choice for a mathematically inclined family.

Attractive placename/surname with a somewhat aristocratic feel.

Historically interesting via the 1917 Balfour Declaration, which supported the creation of a Jewish state in Palestine.

The final s turns this name into a manservant.

Shows some promise via its connection to the growing interest in Ewan.

Traditionally pronounced "ming-iz" and thus the relationship to the jazzy Mingus, Menzies is an old Scottish surname related to the more common Manners.

Most Americans would take the easy way out and spell it Willem, as in artist de Kooning and actor Dafoe.

An undiscovered place-name with an appealing o-sound ending.

If used at all these days, it would be to honor artist Jackson, whose first name would be far preferable.

While this has a distinguished male namesake -- astronomer Edmund Halley and his comet -- it still strays too close to the superpopular feminine Hailey family to work for some parents for a boy. Fewer than five baby boys were given the name last year, but that could change as formerly-female names become more acceptable for boys.

A city and river in Scotland; this is upbeat and cheery, but doesn't seem that appropriate as a name.