Find out how popular the first name Lochlan has been for the last 26 years (from 1998 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Lochlan by gender

Based on the last 26 years of data, Lochlan is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 98% of people named Lochlan being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 296 male babies and 9 female babies born with the name Lochlan.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 9 baby girls were named Lochlan in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Lochlan

The name Lochlan is a variant of the Gaelic name Lachlan, which originated in the Scottish Highlands. It is derived from the Old Norse name Lachlann, which means "from the land of the lakes" or "lakeland." The name reflects the geography of the Scottish Highlands, which is known for its numerous lochs or lakes.

The name Lachlan has been recorded in Scotland since the 12th century. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is Lachlan Mor, who was a 13th-century Scottish chieftain and progenitor of the Clan MacLachlan. The Clan MacLachlan was a prominent Scottish clan based in Argyll and Bute, and their ancestral lands were situated around Loch Fyne and Loch Awe.

In Scottish history, Lachlan was a popular name among the Highland clans. One notable figure was Lachlan Macquarie (1762-1824), who was a British military officer and colonial administrator. He served as the last autocratic Governor of New South Wales from 1810 to 1821 and played a significant role in shaping the early development of Australia.

Another famous Lachlan was Lachlan Mackinnon (1851-1935), a Scottish-born explorer and prospector who played a key role in the Klondike Gold Rush in Canada's Yukon Territory in the late 19th century. He was one of the first prospectors to stake claims in the Klondike region and is credited with helping to trigger the gold rush.

In the literary world, Lachlan Mackinnon (1856-1890) was a Scottish poet and journalist who wrote under the pen name "Lachlan Macdonald." He was known for his poetry and writings that captured the spirit and culture of the Scottish Highlands.

Another notable figure was Lachlan McLean (1798-1890), a Scottish-born businessman and politician who served as the 10th Premier of Prince Edward Island, Canada, from 1859 to 1863.

While the name Lochlan is a modern variant spelling, it retains the same Scottish Gaelic roots and connection to the Scottish Highlands' geography and clan history. The name has been used across various parts of the English-speaking world, particularly in areas with Scottish heritage or influence.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Lochlan was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Lochlan, please contact us.

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