Scott
SKAHT
Scott derives from the Old English Scottas, referring to a person from Scotland or of Scottish descent. The word itself traces to Late Latin Scottus, originally denoting the Gaelic-speaking people of Ireland who later settled in what became Scotland.
As a surname, Scott was established by the medieval period on both sides of the Anglo-Scottish border. Sir Walter Scott (1771–1832), the novelist who created Ivanhoe and Rob Roy, made it one of the most famous literary surnames in English.
Scott ranked No. 565 in 2024 with 517 births. In its prime, it reached an extraordinary No. 10 in 1971 with 30,902 births — a staggering figure that places it among the biggest names of the 1970s.
What the name Scott means
The name was everywhere in mid-century America. Astronaut Scott Carpenter, actor George C. Scott, and countless TV characters cemented it as a quintessential Baby Boomer choice.
One syllable — SKOT — is blunt, direct, and unmistakable. The hard consonant cluster and abrupt ending give it a no-frills masculinity.
The decline from 30,902 births to 517 is among the most dramatic drops on the US charts. Scott became so closely associated with the 1960s–70s generation that younger parents largely moved away from it.
For parents seeking a short, strong name with genuine heritage, Scott offers something that modern inventions cannot: decades of real-world use and immediate recognition without a trace of ambiguity.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Scott
Scott - similar names
Not seeing what you want? Browse all names by origin or popularity