Scott is a masculine given name of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Scottish surname Scoth, which means "from Scotland" or "from the land of Scott". The name has been used as a given name since the Middle Ages, but it became popular in English-speaking countries during the Victorian era.
The name Scott is believed to have originated from the Gaelic word "Scoti", which was used to refer to the Irish people who migrated to Scotland. Over time, the term came to be associated with Scotland itself and its inhabitants.
In literature, one of the earliest references to the name Scott appears in the 13th-century poem "The Brus" by John Barbour, which tells the story of Robert the Bruce, a Scottish king whose supporters were known as Scotts or Scots. The name became further popularized in the 19th century through the works of Sir Walter Scott, a renowned Scottish novelist and poet whose works include "Ivanhoe" and "The Lady of the Lake".
Today, Scott is a common given name throughout the English-speaking world, with variations such as Scot, Scotto, and Scarlett being used as well. It remains closely associated with Scottish heritage and culture, and continues to be popular among families with Scottish ancestry or those who wish to honor their Scottish roots.
Overall, the name Scott has a rich history that spans centuries and has played a significant role in shaping Scottish identity and culture. Its origins may be rooted in the past, but its enduring popularity speaks to its timeless appeal as a masculine given name.
The name Scott has seen a significant fluctuation in popularity over the years in the United States. In the early 20th century, the name was given to around five babies each year from 1913 to 1929.
However, starting in the mid-20th century, there was a notable increase in the number of babies named Scott. Between 1946 and 1954, the number of births with this name ranged from five to twenty per year. This upward trend continued into the 1960s, with over seventy-two births each year between 1962 and 1967.
The peak popularity of the name Scott occurred in the late 1960s and early 1970s. There were over one hundred twenty-one births with this name in 1969, followed by over one hundred twenty-four births in 1970. This trend continued until 1975, when there were ninety-one births.
After the mid-1970s, the popularity of the name Scott began to decline again. Between 1976 and 1983, the number of births with this name ranged from fifty-nine to seventy births per year. This downward trend continued into the 1990s, with only five births in some years.
Overall, there were a total of 2608 babies named Scott in the United States over the course of these years. Despite fluctuations in popularity, the name Scott has remained a consistent choice for parents throughout much of the 20th century and into the early 21st century.