Scottish Gaelic First Names

Note: Gaelic names often have the letter H added after the first letter and sometimes the letter I added near the end of a name, usually before the last vowel. This is called "lenition" which changes the pronounciation and is implemented when speaking to someone of that name. The spellings below are the standard spellings without lenition.

1. Ann, Anna - Anna (f)
2. Calum, Malcolm - Calum (m)
3. Catherine - Catrìona (f)
4. Danny - Dànaidh (m)
5. Donald - Dòmhnall (m)
6. Douglas - Dùghlas (m)
7. Flora - Flòraidh (f)
8. Gordon - Gòrdan (m)
9. Hector - Eachann (m)
10. Isobel, Ishbel - Iseabail (f)
11. Jack, Jock - Seoc (m)
12. Johnny - Seonaidh (m)
13. Joseph - Eòsaph (m)
14. Janet - Seònaid (f)
15. Marion - Mòr (f)
16. Margaret - Mairead (f)
17. Mary - Màiri (f)
18. Michael - Mìcheal (m)
19. Murdo - Murchadh (m)
20. Niall, Neil - Niall (m
21. Rose- rós
22. William - Uilleam (m)


NB. Just remember, not all names translate into Scottish Gaelic. Gaelic names are often quite old though you are probably aware of the English version of names originally from the Scottish Gaelic language.

If you have checked many Scottish names lists with no luck, try Welsh or Irish Gaelic names as you ancestory may not in fact be Scottish. Scottish Gaelic is derived from Irish Gaelic so there are many similarities.

Place Names in Gaelic

Scotland - Alba
America - Amaireaga
Dundee - Dùn Deagh
Ireland - Eirinn
Inverness - Inbhir Nis
Aberdeen - Obar Dheadhain
England - Sasann
Australia - Astràilia
Nova Scotia - Alba Nuadh
Edinburgh- Dùn Eideann
Glasgow - Glaschu
London - Lunnainn
Paisley - Pàislig
Spain - an Spàinnt
Months in Gaelic

Am Faoilleach - January
An Gearran - February
Am Màrt - March
An Giblean - April
An Cèitean - May
An t-Ogmhìos - June
An t-Luchar - July
An Lùnasdal - August
An t-Sultain - September
An Dàmhair - October
An t-Samhain - November
An Dùbhlachd - December

Days in Gaelic

Didòmhnaich Latha na Sàbaid - Sunday
Diluain - Monday
Dimàirt - Tuesday
Diciadain - Wednesday
Diardaoin - Thursday
Dihaoine - Friday
Disathairne - Saturday

Seasons(An Lùnasdal) in Gaelic

an t-earrach - Spring
an samhradh - Summer
am foghar - Autumn/Fall
an geamhradh - Winter


Time of Day

To say “it is six o'clock”, you would say “tha e sia uairean”.

* uair - one o'clock
* dà uair - two o'clock
* trì uairean - three o'clock
* ceithir uairean - four o'clock
* còig uairean - five o'clock
* sia uairean - six o'clock
* seachd uairean - seven o'clock
* ochd uairean - eight o'clock
* naoi uairean - nine o'clock
* deich uairean - ten o'clock
* aon uair deug - eleven o'clock
* dà uair dheug - twelve o'clock