Boy · 18th of 10,718
Scott
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
777,059
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1971
Peak Popularity Year
31,035
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Scott stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Scott has its roots in Old English, originally referring to the Gaels or Scots. It evolved from 'Scotti' to 'Scot' in Middle English, and ultimately to 'Scott' in Modern English. The name means 'Scottish man' and has no biblical relevance. It gained popularity in the 19th century, reflecting a sense of national identity. Variants include Scotty and Scottie, with the name currently viewed as classic and strong. Notable individuals with this name include author F. Scott Fitzgerald and actor Scott Bakula.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/skɒt/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Scott originated from the Old English word 'Scotti,' which referred to the Gaels or Scots, originally a term for the Irish. It later became a surname and eventually a given name.
Meaning
Scottish man, from Scotland
Language Evolution
Scotti (Old English), Scot (Middle English), Scott (Modern English)
Historical Usage
Scott gained popularity as a given name in the 19th century, particularly in English-speaking countries, as a reflection of national identity and heritage.
Variants & Derivatives
Scotty, Scottie, Scot
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Scott is viewed as a classic and timeless name, often associated with strength and dependability.
Famous People
Scott Fitzgerald (author), Scott Bakula (actor), Scott Disick (television personality)
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 31,035 peak births in 1971
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in New Hampshire
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 13 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 1 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 13 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 424th of 7545 | 3,149 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 320th of 6773 | 5,585 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 31st of 7552 | 255,864 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 18th of 10718 | 339,526 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 52nd of 16616 | 134,744 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 210th of 24088 | 27,817 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 514th of 23106 | 6,863 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 7989th of 9107 | 10 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 8072nd of 9204 | 10 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 2055th of 12526 | 538 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1285th of 19264 | 1,395 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 2788th of 27321 | 631 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 23797th of 35406 | 24 |