What could be more fitting for a Scottish breed than a Scottish Gaelic name?
Naming your Highland cattle can be a lot of fun and over the years at Ennerdale we have sat as a family and had many discussions flicking through naming books and browsing the web choosing Scottish Gaelic names for our offspring. It really is a personal choice, but what could be more fitting for a Scottish breed - than a Scottish Gaelic name.
When starting your herd, you will have inherited names from the previous owners. You may wish to introduce your own names with your first calves. With one line we adopted the name from whom we had purchased the animal, for example, Seonaid translated is Janette. Heifers from this dam will then adopt the Seonaid in their identity to preserve that female line.
For example: Seonaid Ruadh (Ruadh meaning red) 1st, 2nd and Seonaid Dhubh (Dhubh meaning black). When using a colour with a name, it is correct for a colour to follow the name. As well as colours, descriptive words are commonly used. Like a Bhuidhe Aillidh, meaning Yellow Beauty or Grainne, translated to Loved One.
We hope you have fun naming your cattle!
Special Thanks to Lesley Matheson, a fellow Highland Breeder Breeding Highland Cattle in the Isle of Lewis. Thank you so much for your help compiling these Scottish Gaelic Names.
COLOURS
Riabhach - Brindle (male and female)
Ruadh - Red (male and female)
Buidhe - Yellow (male)
Bhuidhe - Yellow (female)
Donn - Brown / Dun (male)
Dhonn - Brown / Dun (female)
Dubh - Black (male)
Dhubh - Black (female)
Geal - White (male)
Gheal - White (female)
CAILEAGAN - GIRLS
Agamsa - Mine
Aile - Fire
Aighearach – Lively
Ailios / Ailisl - Alice
Aimil - Amelia, Emily
Aingealag - Angelica
Albannach - Scottish
Anabla - Annabella
Ann am gràdh - In Love
Annag – Anna
Bana-phrionnsa - Princess
Banarach - Milkmaid
Barabal – Barbara
Banrigh - Queen
Bean - Wife / Woman
Beannaichte – Blessed
Bearnas – Bernice
Beasag – Bessie
Beathag – Becky / Beth
Bedelia - Mighty / Powerful
Beitidh - Elizabeth / Betty
Beitiris – Beatrice
Bhioctoria - Victoria
Blatham - Blossom / Bloom
Blair - Dweller on Plains
Boidheach - Pretty
Boirionn - Female / Feminine
Bonnie - Fair of Face
Brae - Hillside / Slope
Brèaghachd - Beauty
Brannagh - Raven / Dark
Brianne - Beautiful Maiden
Brighde – Bride / Bridget
Bridie/Breda - Celtic Goddess
Bruadaran - Dream
Cadha - Steep Place
Cadrann - Rowan Berry
Caileag/Caleagan - Girl
Cairistìona – Christine
Caitin - Willow Blossom
Caitir - Catherine / Clarissa
Calltainn - Hazel
Calmain - Dove
Cameron - Crooked Nose
Camhanaiche - Dawn
Canach – Bog cotton
Caraid - Friend
Càraid - Twin
Cargairean Darling / Whisper
Carlin - Little Champion
Cathbodua Celtic War Goddess
Casair - Sea Drift
Casac - Feet
Catriona / Cotrìona - Catherine
Ceana - Kenna
Ceannsaich - Tame / Quiet
Ceart - Trusty
Ceasg - Scottish Mermaid
Ceiteag - Katie, Katy, Kitty
Ceitidh – Katie
Ceannard - Boss
Ciorsdan – Christina
Ciorstag / Curstag - Kirsty
Coleen/Colina Gaelic for Girl
Conailbhe - Goddess
Constance/Connie Constant
Craobhag - Small Tree
Creidne - Celtic Warrior
Criosaidh - Chrissie
Cruinneag - Tidy / Neat Girl
Cullodena - Mossy Ground
Daracha - From the Oak
Deirdre – Sorrow
Dìleas - Faithful
Dìorbhail – Dorothy
Dochais - Hope
Doilidh – Dolly
Doirin – Doreen
Dolag – Dolina / Dolly
Dolina - World
Donalda - World / Mighty
Drusilla - Magic
Duaisean - Prize
Duana - Dark Haired
Ealasaid – Elizabeth
Eamhair - Twin
Eara - From the East
Edana - Little Fire
Edina - From Edinburgh
Eilid – Hind (deer)
Eilidh –Helen
Eiric - Ever Powerful
Èiteag - Fair Maid
Emag - Emily
Erskina - Top of the Cliff
Euna Juno
Eubh – Eve
Èibhlin - Evelyn
Fabharach - Favourable
Fainche - Wanderer
Fairin - Present
Faoilte - Delight
Faragher - Supreme Choice
Frangag - Frances
Fearchara - Dear One
Fearghachd - Anger
Feàrna - Alder
Fenella - White Shoulder
Feòrag - Squirrel
Ferelith - Perfect Princess
Ferlie - Marvellous
Fia - Dark of Peace
Fiochag - Little Angry One
Flaitheas - Sovereignty
Flanna - Bright Red
Floireans - Florence
Flòraidh – Flora
Fogharan - Autumn
Fosadh - Steadiness
Fraoch - Heather
Gaidhealach - Highland
Gail - Strong or Stranger
Gallus - Darling / Cheeky
Gillian - Youthful
Giorsail / Giorsal – Grace
Glenna – Valley
Golach - Beetle
Gordania – Great
Gormall - Gormelia
Gormia – Splendid
Grainel - Green Field
Grainne - Loved One
Greer - Vigilant / Alert
Gruagach – Young Woman
Gunna - Warrior Battle-maid
Heather - The Plant Heather
Ial - Gleam of Sunshine
Ialach - Shinning Fur
Ialainn - Honeysuckle
Iarmailet - Heavens
Ilisa - Truthful
Ina - Nickname
Inghean - The God’s Daughter
Innes - Island
Inoa - Scottish Island
Ionmholta - Praiseworthy
Iseabail / Isbeil – Isobel
Ishbel - Tibby
Isla - Scottish River
Lachtna - Pure as Milk
Lainie - Serves St. John
Lair - Mare / Lara
Laghach - Pretty / Nice
Lana - Darling
Laochag - Little Heroine
Lasair - Fire / Sunlight
Laurie - Crowned with Laurel
Leagsaidh / Lexie / Lexy
Leal - Loyal / Faithful
Lear- Ghaoth - Sea Wind
Leslie - The Grey Castle
Leitis - Letitia
Lianag - Meadow
Lili – Lilias / Lily
Liùsaidh – Louisa / Lucy
Lìosa - Lisa
Magaidh – Maggie
Maighread - Margaret
Moibeal - Mabel
Moire – Mary
Màiri - Mary
Mòrag - Marion, Sarah
Muira - Moor
Muireall - Bright / Shinning
Muirne - Beloved
Mùirneag - Cheerful Girl
Murron - Sea Fair
Nadurrach - Natural
Nansaidh - Grace
Nathaira - Snake
Neila/Nelda - Female Champion
Neo-chiontach – Innocent
Neòinean-grèine - Sunflower
Nighean dhìolain – Natural Child
Nighean-ighne – Granddaughter
Niseag – Nessie
Oighrig - Effie
Òstag - Hostess
Peanaidh – Penny
Peigi – Peggy
Phìobaidh - Phoebe
Pròiseag - Prude
Prìseil – Precious
Raghnaid - Rachel
Rèidh – Smooth / Even
Rianaire – Administrator
Ribhinn - Maiden
Rìoghail – Regal / Royalty
Rùnaire – Secretary
Sàra / Mòr - Sarah
Sasannaich - English
Sealbh ort – Good Luck
Seasaidh – Jessie
Seòna - Shona
Seònaid - Janet
Seud – Jewel
Seudag – Little jewel
Sìle – Cecilia / Sheila
Sìleas - Juliet
Sìne – Jean / Sheena
Simeag - Jemima
Sìthiche – Fairy
Siùsaidh – Susanna / Susan / Susie
Sòbhrach - Primrose
Sonasag - Happy Little Female
Sorcha – Claire / Clara
Speachag - Venomous Little Creature
Stuamag - Modest Woman
Suairceag – Gentle one
Sùbh-làir - Strawberry
Tè – Female
Teàrclag / Seàrlaid - Charlotte
Uaibhreach - Proud
Uilleag – Wilma
Uiseag - Skylark
Una – Winifred
GILLEAN - BOYS
Adhamh - Adam
Agarach - Pretender
Ailean – Alan
Alasdair - Alexander
Albannach – Scottish
Prionnsa - Prince
Anndrais – Andrew
An t-Aoghair - Herdsman
An –T-lasgair - The Fisherman
An-T-Oganach - The Manservant
Aodhair- Shepherd
Aonghas - Angus
Ardan - Tall
Ardmore - Great Height
Armann - Warrior
Athol - Juniper Tree
Balach Cuiumir - Neat Boy
Baldie - Archibald
Banning - White, Golden, Fair
Bhaltair - Walter
Baird - Mistral or Poet
Beanntan - Mountain
Bearach/Barra - Spear/Warrior
Beathan - Benjamin
Bhalachain - Little Boy
Bodach - Old Man
Bratach - Banner
Brodie - A Rampart
Brogach - Sturdy Boy
Brammer - Something Very Good
Bran - Raven
Bruadaran - Dream
Buadhach - Victorious
Cabhlaich - Admiral
Caddel - Brave
Caelan - Nicholas
Cahal - Powerful in battle
Cailean – Colin
Caisean – Dewlap
Calum - Malcolm
Capladh - Commander-in-Chief
Cararig - Craig
Cathan - Warrior
Cathach – Fighter
Ceallach – War / Strife
Ceann-taighe - Head of House
Ceannard - Chief
Ceann-suidhe – President
Ceàrd – Tinker
Ceatharnach – Hero
Ciobair - Shepherd
Clachan - Stone
Clunes - Meadow
Coinneach – Kenneth
Coirneal – Colonel
Caomhainn - Kevin
Companach - Companion
Conlaoch - Nobel Lord
Connach - To Spoil
Craig - Rugged Rock
Crìsdean – Christopher / Christian
Cronan - Dark Skinned
Cuairtear- Tourist
Cubhaidh – Honour
Cuileadair – Flatterer
Curaidh - Hero
Dairmaid - Without Envy
Daibhidh – David
Dànaidh - Danny
Doddt - Shortened George
Dòmhnall – Donald
Donnchadh - Duncan
Dougan - Dark Haired Warrior
Douglas - Black Water
Duaisean - Prize
Dùbhlanaiche – Challenger
Dùghall– Dugald / Dougal
Duine - Man
Duncan - Princely Battle
Eachann - Hector
Èideard - Edward
Eilthireach - Stranger
Eogham - Owen (noble)
Eòin – Ewan / Euan
Eòsaph / Iòsaph - Joseph
Finn - Fair Haired
Fairin – Present
Fear - Male
Fear-a-Ghlinne - Man of the Glen
Fear Baidhel - Kind One
Fear-cinnidh – Kinsman
Fear-bratach - Bannerman
Fearchar – Farguhar
Fearghas - Fergus
Fear Siridh - Searcher
Fheallsanaich – Philosopher
Fial - Bounty
Fionnladh - Fair haired hero
Fionnladh – Findlay
Fingal - Legendary Scottish Warrior
Fiuran - Hunter
Flath - Prince
Fleasgach – Youth
Fudaidh – Worthless fellow
Gabhan - Gavin
Gaidhealach - Highland
Gaisgeach – Hero
Gallus - Cheeky and Reckless
Gealbhan – White one
Glic - Wise
Gille - Boy
Gilleasbaig - Archie
Gile Nan Gleann - Lad of the Glen
Glinn - Glen
Graidhein - Lover
Greumach - Graham
Grinneach - Stipling
Guag - Giddy Fellow
Guaillean - Shoulder
Gusgarlach - Keen One
Gruaghach - Long Haired One
Lachlann - Viking
Latharn - Fox
Iain - John
Iarmailt - Sky/Heavens
Lasgair - Fisherman
Lasgaire - Champion
Laochan - Little Hero
Luachmhor - Valuable
Misneach - Courage
Morairean - Lord, Nobleman
Mùillear – Miller
Naill - Neil
Nearthmhor- Powerful/Mighty
Neo-Abhaisteach - Unusual
Nissien - Peaceful
Oganach - Young Man
Ossian - Little deer
Peadar - Peter
Peallach – Shaggy
Pìobaire – Piper
Prìomhaire - President
Prionnsa - Prince
Prionnsa na Rainich - Prince of Ferns
Raibeart - Robert
Ranald - Ronald
Ridir – Knight
Ruairidh - Rory
Rummle - Rough-up
Saighdear - Soldier
Samhach - Calm and Quiet
Sandaidh - Sandy
Seasmhach - Lasting/Durable
Seòrsa - George
Seumas – James / Hamish
Sinclair - Holy Light
Sitheil - Peaceful
Smachdail - Bossy
Socair - Gentle
Solta - Docile
Somalta – Placid
Stiùbhart - Stuart / Stewart
Strachan - Poet
Sunndach - Lively and Cheerful
Stiubhart - Stuart/Stewart
Tadhg - Philosopher
Tearc - Rare
Teàrlach - Charles
Tiachdmore – Delightful
Tòmachan - Thomas
Tousie - Untidy Hair
Tormod - Norman
Uachdaran - Laird
Uaibhreach - Proud
Uilleam - William