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Reed

Boy name · 6 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Reed: 6 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 3 births in 2008.

Reed is an English name that began as a surname, likely from Old English *read* meaning red (referring to hair or complexion) or from *ried* for the reed plant. In Scotland it is more commonly found as the variant Reid. Famous bearers include journalist John Reed, author of *Ten Days That Shook the World*, and musician Lou Reed of the Velvet Underground. As a place name, Reed appears in Hertfordshire, England. Though not originally Scottish, Reed has gained popularity as a first name in Scotland since the 1990s, valued for its crisp, nature-inspired sound. The spelling Reid remains a classic Scottish surname and given name, connecting the two forms through shared roots.

Boy 2 of 52 years

Peak year
20083 babies
Latest (2023)
#7283 babies
Total births
6since 2008
5-year trend
≈ stablevs prior 5y
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2008 · 3
Births per year in Scotland. Missing years had a count of 2 or fewer (suppressed by NRS).