Highland
A given name reflecting elevated or mountainous terrain.
Name Census estimates that about 10 living Americans carry the first name Highland. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Highland today is around 6 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Highland births was 2020 (5 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Highland. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Highland. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
10
~ 1 in 34,275,434 Americans
Peak year
2020
5 babies that year
Average age
6
years old
2021 SSA rank
#12,818
Tracked since 2020
Popularity
Highland: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Highland by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Highland during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 10 | 0 | 10 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Highland
The given name Highland is of Scottish origin and is derived from the Gaelic word "àrd" meaning "high" or "elevated," and the English word "land," referring to the highlands of Scotland. This name reflects the rugged and mountainous terrain of the Scottish Highlands, a region known for its breathtaking beauty and rich cultural heritage.
The earliest recorded use of the name Highland dates back to the 16th century, when it was primarily used as a descriptive term for those residing in the northern and western regions of Scotland. Over time, it transitioned into a given name, reflecting a sense of pride and connection to the land.
One of the earliest recorded individuals bearing the name Highland was Highland MacGregor, a Scottish clansman born in 1590. He was a prominent figure in the MacGregor clan and played a significant role in the clan's struggles against the oppressive policies of the Scottish monarchy.
In the 18th century, Highland Campbell (1700-1778) was a renowned Scottish poet and songwriter. His works celebrated the beauty of the Highlands and the resilience of its people, contributing to the preservation of Scottish cultural traditions.
Another notable figure was Highland MacDonald (1825-1892), a Scottish-born explorer who led expeditions into the uncharted territories of North America. His expeditions helped to map and document the rugged landscapes of the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
During the 19th century, Highland Douglas (1840-1910) was a Scottish-American industrialist who made significant contributions to the development of the steel industry in the United States. His innovations and business acumen helped establish the foundations of modern manufacturing.
In more recent times, Highland MacKenzie (1920-2005) was a celebrated Scottish actor known for his performances on stage and screen. He brought to life various characters from Scottish literature and played a pivotal role in preserving and promoting Scottish cultural heritage through his art.
While the name Highland has its roots in Scotland, it has since gained recognition and popularity worldwide, reflecting the global appreciation for the rich cultural heritage and natural beauty of the Scottish Highlands.
People
Highland + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Highland as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with H
Other first names starting with H with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Highland: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Highland?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 10 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Highland going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 34,275,434 US residents.
Is Highland a common name?
We classify Highland as "Very Rare". It ranks above 28.5% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 10 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Highland most popular?
The single biggest year for Highland was 2020, when 5 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Highland is about 6 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Highland in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Highland a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Highland in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Highland still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Highland in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Highland can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many Americans are named Highland?
For a quick modern take, check how many people share the name Highland on our sister site HowManyOfMe.org.