Cameron is a Scottish Gaelic surname-name that has been used for both boys and girls in the U.S. for decades, but its 1999 peak for girls is closely tied to Cameron Diaz, who spent the late 1990s as one of the most recognizable actresses in American film. The name belongs to a long tradition of Scottish clan surnames making the Atlantic crossing as given names.
The Crooked Nose Behind the Name
Cameron derives from the Scottish Gaelic cam sròn, meaning "crooked nose" — a physical characteristic that presumably described a specific early clan ancestor. That earthy, specific etymology is charmingly different from the grand meanings most parents expect from classic names. The Cameron clan was one of the Highland clans of Scotland, and the name carries genuine historical weight alongside its somewhat comic origin. Browse Scottish Gaelic names for related options.
Cameron Diaz and the 1999 Peak
Cameron Diaz's career hit its apex in the late 1990s — There's Something About Mary (1998), Being John Malkovich (1999), Charlie's Angels (2000), and the name's peak for girls in 1999 almost certainly reflects her influence. Celebrity-driven peaks tend to be followed by celebrity-associated declines, which is part of what's happened here. The name is now clearly dual-gender in American usage, with boys still outnumbering girls slightly in total historical counts.
The Gender Question Long-Term
Parents giving Cameron to a daughter should know it will read as gender-neutral to most people, which is either a feature or a consideration depending on family preferences. It pairs well with feminine middle names to anchor the full name — Cameron Rose, Cameron Elise. Compare Cameron vs. Quinn to see two Scottish-origin gender-neutral names at different points in their female-usage trajectories.