Blair

♀ Girl

Pronounced BLAIR /blɛr/High

Meaning: Plain; field; from Scottish Gaelic blar (plain, flat land, battlefield)High

In 30 seconds: A crisp one-syllable Scottish name meaning 'plain' or 'flat field.' Originally a surname for both sexes, Blair has become primarily a girls' name in the United States, with a sleek, preppy character.

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Origin HighScottish Gaelic

MeaningPlain; field; from Scottish Gaelic blar (plain, flat land, battlefield)

Peak year2017

Total births (all-time)≈ 14,195

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Blair is a Scottish surname derived from the Scottish Gaelic blar, meaning 'plain,' 'field,' or 'battlefield.' It is a topographic name referring to someone who lived near a flat, open area. There are numerous place names in Scotland beginning with Blair — including Blair Atholl and Blair Castle. As a given name it has been used in the English-speaking world for both sexes since at least the 20th century.

Blair was used as a given name in the United States from the mid-20th century, initially more for boys. In the 21st century it has shifted predominantly to girls, driven by the glamorous character Blair Waldorf in the TV series Gossip Girl. It now ranks in the top 200 U.S. girls' names.

Did you know? The 1999 horror film The Blair Witch Project may be the most famous modern use of Blair as a name — though the character Blair Waldorf in Gossip Girl (2007–2012) is what cemented it as a stylish girls' name.

Variations

Blaire

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Blair Waldorf (fictional) (2007–2012)
Character in the TV series <em>Gossip Girl</em>, whose stylish portrayal significantly boosted the name for girls.

If you like Blair…

Quinn— crisp one-syllable Irish surname equally popular as a girls' name

Morgan— Welsh/Irish surname name with the same gender-neutral-to-girls trajectory

Blake— one-syllable Old English surname name on the same crossover arc

Reagan— Irish surname name with the same preppy, collegial character

Frequently Asked

What does the name Blair mean?

Blair means 'plain' or 'field' (sometimes 'battlefield') from Scottish Gaelic blar, a topographic name for someone near open land.

How do you pronounce Blair?

Blair is a single syllable pronounced BLAIR (/blɛr/).

Is Blair a boy or girl name?

Blair is used for both sexes but has become predominantly a girls' name in the United States in the 21st century.

How popular is Blair?

Blair has been rising for girls since the 2000s and is now in the top 200 U.S. girls' names.