UK boy's name
Laird
Masculine name of Scottish origin denoting a landowner or lord.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2013. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Laird is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Laird popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2013 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4685, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2001, with 3 births.
This profile covers 15 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 2001 to 2013. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 15 living people in the UK are called Laird. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2014 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Laird ranked #4685 for boys in England and Wales in 2013, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2001, when 3 boys were registered as Laird.
- • About 15 living people in the UK are estimated to have Laird as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4685
2013
Births in 2013
3
Latest year
Peak year
2001
3 births
Estimated living
15
2026
Meaning
What does Laird mean?
The name Laird originates from the Scottish Gaelic word "lard" meaning lord or landowner. It was initially used to refer to a landed proprietor in Scotland, particularly in the Highlands. The name has its roots in the feudal system that existed in Scotland during the Middle Ages.
Historically, the title of Laird was granted to individuals who held land or estates directly from the crown or a superior feudal lord. These landowners often wielded significant power and influence within their local communities and played a crucial role in the socio-economic fabric of Scottish society.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Laird can be traced back to the 13th century, when it appeared in various legal documents and charters related to land ownership and property transactions. In these historical records, the term was often used interchangeably with other titles such as "baron" or "lord."
Throughout the centuries, several notable individuals have borne the name Laird. One prominent example is Laird of Glenurquhart (c. 1300 - 1360), a Scottish nobleman who played a significant role in the Wars of Scottish Independence against England. Another notable figure was Laird of Duart (c. 1450 - 1520), the chief of Clan Maclean and a powerful landowner in the Scottish Hebrides.
During the 16th century, the name Laird gained further recognition when Sir Ninian Laird (c. 1510 - 1579) served as a prominent judge and politician in Scotland. He held the position of Lord Justice Clerk and played a pivotal role in the legal and judicial system of the time.
In the realm of literature, one cannot overlook the impact of Laird of Abbotsford (1771 - 1832), better known as Sir Walter Scott. As a renowned novelist and poet, Scott's works, such as "Ivanhoe" and "The Lady of the Lake," brought Scottish culture and heritage to the forefront, further popularizing the title of Laird.
While the title of Laird is still recognized in Scotland today, it has largely become a symbolic designation rather than a legal or feudal one. However, the name continues to hold historical and cultural significance, reflecting the rich heritage of the Scottish Highlands and the importance of land ownership in the country's past.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Laird over time
The chart below shows babies named Laird registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2001 to 2013. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Laird, the clearest high point is 2001. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2013, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Laird by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Laird was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #4685 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #4036 | 12 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Laird
- Luke 72,247
- Lewis 69,555
- Leo 63,249
- Liam 60,482
- Lucas 49,061
- Logan 40,771
- Louis 35,898
- Luca 30,323
- Louie 24,242
- Leon 22,308
- Levi 9,931
- Lee 7,861
FAQ
Laird: questions and answers
How popular is the name Laird in the UK right now?
In 2013, Laird was ranked #4685 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Laird most popular?
The peak year on record was 2001, with 3 babies registered as Laird in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Laird?
Masculine name of Scottish origin denoting a landowner or lord.
How many people are called Laird in the UK?
A total of 15 babies have been registered as Laird across the 5 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.