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Home › Baby Names Directory › Buchanan

Buchanan

♂ Boy

Pronounced byoo-KAN-en /bjuˈkæn.ən/Medium

Meaning: A Scottish surname — from the Gaelic both chanain, variously 'the house of the canon (a churchman)' and 'the seat/place of the little hill'; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: The house of the canon; from the little hill: Buchanan is a Scottish surname. Crisp, classic, and warm (said 'byoo-KAN-en').
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Origin LowScottish, Gaelic
MeaningA Scottish surname — from the Gaelic both chanain, variously 'the house of the canon (a churchman)' and 'the seat/place of the little hill'; routes layered
U.S. rank (2025)#6514 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births13 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2025
Total births (all-time)≈ 100

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202519962025

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

Buchanan is a Scottish surname — from the Gaelic both chanain, variously 'the house of the canon (a churchman)' and 'the seat/place of the little hill' (routes layered, which we note). A crisp, classic name (said 'byoo-KAN-en').

In the U.S. it appears as a Scottish surname-name (also a presidential surname). Rare as a given name, the-house-of-the-canon at the root, and crisp.

Did you know? Buchanan is a Scottish surname (from the Gaelic both chanain), variously 'the house of the canon' and 'the place of the little hill' — a crisp, classic name (the routes are layered, which we note; said 'byoo-KAN-en').
Overall data confidence 32%
References — Buchanan — Scottish surname; routes layered

Variations

BuchannanBuccanan

Nicknames

Buck

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Buchanan…

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Brennan— a kin Celtic surname boys' name

Explore names like Buchanan

By themeuncertainsurname-namescottishgaelic
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Frequently Asked

What does the name Buchanan mean?

Buchanan is a Scottish surname, variously 'the house of the canon' and 'the place of the little hill'; the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Buchanan?

It's said byoo-KAN-en /bjukaen.n/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Buchanan a boy or girl name?

Buchanan is a boy's name.

How popular is Buchanan?

Buchanan is a very rare given name in the U.S.

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