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Niven

Boy name · 40 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Niven: 40 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 7 births in 2018.

Niven is a Scottish surname turned first name, derived from the Gaelic Mac Naoimhín, meaning “son of the little saint” (naomh = saint). The most famous bearer is the suave, Oscar-winning actor David Niven, though the name also belongs to Niven Sinclair, a Scottish-born pilot and businessman known for his research into the lost colony of Vinland. While no major places are named after a Niven, the root naomh appears in many Scottish place names like Kilnaimh (church of the saint) and Saint Ninian’s Isle. As a first name, Niven remains rare in Scotland, but it offers a distinctive yet accessible option for parents seeking a surname-style name with a gentle, saintly meaning. Its spelling can also be found as Nivyn or Nivven, though the original form is most common.