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Scout

♀ Girl

Pronounced SKOWT /skaʊt/High

Meaning: From Old French escouter meaning to listen, via a military term for a person sent ahead to gather information; used as a given name symbolizing curiosity, bravery, and explorationHigh

In 30 seconds: Scout is a spirited literary name meaning one who explores, forever linked to the fearless narrator of To Kill a Mockingbird. Bold, unisex, and one syllable, it is a favorite for parents who love literary courage and outdoor adventure.
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Origin HighFrench, English
MeaningFrom Old French escouter meaning to listen, via a military term for a person sent ahead to gather information; used as a given name symbolizing curiosity, bravery, and exploration
U.S. rank (2025)#997 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births254 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2022
Total births (all-time)≈ 5,125

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202219922025

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

History & Origin

Scout derives from Old French escouter (to listen, to reconnoiter), entering English as a military term for an advance spy. As a given name it began with literary associations through To Kill a Mockingbird and has grown steadily.

Scout has been used as a given name in the United States since the 1990s and surged after Bruce Willis and Demi Moore named their daughter Scout LaRue Willis in 1991. It fits the trend for bold, one-syllable word names with a sense of adventure.

Did you know? Scout Finch, the six-year-old narrator of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird (1960), is one of the most beloved characters in American literature. The novel won the Pulitzer Prize and has been ranked the greatest novel of the 20th century in multiple surveys.
Overall data confidence 91%
Merriam-Webster — scout — Old French etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

Scoute

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Scout…

Wren— shares the one-syllable nature-adjacent word-name with an adventurous feel
True— same one-syllable virtue word-name with a direct, honest character
Brave— shares the virtue/action word-name tradition and adventurous spirit
Hunter— same adventurous spirit and outdoor explorer name character

Frequently Asked

What does the name Scout mean?

Scout means one who scouts, explores, or gathers information, from Old French escouter meaning to listen.

How do you pronounce Scout?

It is said SKOWT, as a single syllable.

Is Scout a girl or boy name?

Scout is used for both but is increasingly favored as a girls name, partly through the fictional Scout Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird.

Is Scout from To Kill a Mockingbird?

Yes, Scout Finch is the narrator of Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel To Kill a Mockingbird (1960), one of the most celebrated characters in American literature.