October 17, 2022

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

 – 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