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Smith

Boy name · 3 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Smith: 3 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 3 births in 2010.

Originally an occupational surname, Smith derives from the Old English *smiþ*, meaning “to strike” or “to work metal,” referring to a blacksmith, silversmith, or other metalworker. Its most globally recognisable bearer is the economist Adam Smith, whose 1776 work *The Wealth of Nations* laid the foundations of modern capitalism. There is no major place directly named Smith in Scotland, but the surname is so ubiquitous that it has lent its name to countless streets, towns, and businesses worldwide. As a first name, Smith remains rare in Scotland—far more common as a surname—though it occasionally appears as a stylish, understated choice for parents seeking a distinctive, one-syllable name with a strong historical resonance.