Boyd

♂ Boy

Pronounced BOYD /ˈbɔɪd/Medium

Meaning: Yellow-haired, fair, blond; from Scottish Gaelic buidhe, or from the Isle of Bute (Bhoid).Medium

In 30 seconds: Boyd is a Scottish name usually read as 'yellow-haired' or 'fair', though its exact source is disputed.

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Origin MediumScottish

MeaningYellow-haired, fair, blond; from Scottish Gaelic buidhe, or from the Isle of Bute (Bhoid).

U.S. rank (2024)#2207 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births65 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1922

Total births (all-time)≈ 27,605

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

The name is most often tied to Scottish Gaelic buidhe, 'yellow' or 'fair', pointing to blond hair. Some instead trace it to the Isle of Bute, Bhoid in Gaelic, making it a place name, so the origin is genuinely disputed. Either way, Boyd reads as a sturdy, single-syllable Scottish name.

Its blunt one-beat sound has carried easily from surname into first-name use. Bearers include the early film actor Boyd Irwin (1880-1957) and the American actor Boyd Holbrook, born in 1981, of 'Narcos' and 'Logan'.

Did you know? Boyd likely reached first-name use through a surname or place-name route, which gives it that modern borrowed-from-history feel.

Overall data confidence 78%

Behind the Name - Boyd — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

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Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Boyd Irwin (1880-1957)
English stage and film actor who appeared in more than 130 films between 1915 and 1948.
★Boyd Holbrook (1981-present)
American actor known for 'Narcos' and the film 'Logan' (2017).

If you like Boyd…

Bowie— Another short Scottish name from a Gaelic colour-and-hair root, paralleling Boyd's 'fair' meaning.

Blair— a fellow Scottish choice

Lyle— shares Boyd's Scottish roots

Craig— a fellow Scottish choice

Reid— a similarly popular pick

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Boyd mean?

Boyd is usually explained as meaning 'origin uncertain' and is most often linked with English tradition.

How do you pronounce Boyd?

It's commonly said BOYD /ˈbɔɪd/.

Is Boyd a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Boyd is used as a boy name.

How popular is Boyd?

In 2024, Boyd ranked #2207 in the U.S. for boys, with 65 births recorded.