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Ramsey

Boy name · 12 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Ramsey: 12 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 3 births in 2012.

A surname turned first name, Ramsey has deep roots in Scotland and England, deriving from the Old English *hramsa* ("wild garlic") and *ēg* ("island") – literally "wild garlic island" – though some trace it to *ramm* ("ram") instead. Perhaps its most famous bearer is Ramsay MacDonald, the first Labour Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, while American jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis brought musical prestige to the name. Place connections abound: the Isle of Man has a town called Ramsey, as does Cambridgeshire in England, and there's even a Ramsey Island off the coast of Wales. The spelling *Ramsay* is a common variant, and the name also carries a strong Scottish clan association, often evoking a sense of rugged, historical charm.

Boy 4 of 52 years

Peak year
20123 babies
Latest (2023)
#7283 babies
Total births
12since 2012
5-year trend
≈ stablevs prior 5y
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2012 · 3
Births per year in Scotland. Missing years had a count of 2 or fewer (suppressed by NRS).