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Lochlan

Boy name · 878 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Lochlan: 878 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 82 births in 2024.

Derived from the Scottish Gaelic *Lochlann*, meaning “land of the lochs,” Lochlan originally described the fjord-filled landscapes of Scandinavia rather than the Scottish Highlands—a reminder of Viking-age connections across the North Sea. The name is borne most famously by Major General Lachlan (often spelled Lochlan) Macquarie, the early 19th-century governor of New South Wales who shaped Australia’s colonial identity, leaving his mark on Macquarie Island and Macquarie River. In modern times, media executive Lachlan Murdoch keeps the name in the public eye. Though traditionally spelled Lachlan in Scotland, the Lochlan variant has gained traction internationally, offering a slightly airier feel while still echoing the lochs and glens that give it such a strong geographical sense of place.