Laddie
Primarily a boy's name of Scottish Gaelic origin with 1,644 recorded births. Also given to 92 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A small boy.
Laddie is a boy's and girl's baby name of Scottish origin, a diminutive of lad, meaning 'boy' or 'young man' — a warm, affectionate term in Scottish and Northern English dialect.
Laddie has the wholesome, nostalgic quality of old-fashioned nickname-names from the early 20th century. With over 1,600 recorded U.S. births, it actually has real historical use — particularly in rural American and Scottish American communities where informal, affectionate names for boys were common.
EtymologyShow more
Laddie is built from 6 letters and one syllable — a mid-length form that balances memorability with distinctiveness. Within the Scottish Gaelic naming tradition, this length is typical of names that preserve their full historical form, carrying their etymology on the surface.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Laddie creates its characteristic bright, approachable quality. One-syllable names stand out for their directness. Every sound carries weight, making pronunciation and first impressions immediate.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Laddie has 71+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1908.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 6 | #11725 | — |
| 2000s | 6 | #11942 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 5 | #8907 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 12 | #6194 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 37 | #4943 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 104 | #2959 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 213 | #1824 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 270 | #1430 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 327 | #1201 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 400 | #1133 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 258 | #1209 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 6 | #1305 | — |
The Story of Laddie
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1919, Laddie is a name steeped in history. Boys named Laddie are most likely born between 1909 and 1929.
How rare is Laddie?
Only about 1 in every 600,000 babies born in 2024 was named Laddie — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1908, peaked in the 1920s with 400 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Laddie by the numbers
- Would fill 34 school buses
- Meeting one Laddie per day would take 4.5 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(71 years, 1908–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 | #11725 |
| 2008 | 6 | #11942 |
| 1990 | 5 | #8907 |
| 1985 | 5 | #7125 |
| 1980 | 7 | #5262 |
| 1979 | 6 | #5762 |
| 1976 | 6 | #5312 |
| 1973 | 5 | #5522 |
| 1972 | 6 | #4738 |
| 1971 | 8 | #3814 |
| 1970 | 6 | #4511 |
| 1969 | 5 | #4739 |
| 1968 | 12 | #2515 |
| 1967 | 7 | #3416 |
| 1966 | 7 | #3400 |
| 1965 | 12 | #2420 |
| 1964 | 13 | #2364 |
| 1963 | 7 | #3508 |
| 1962 | 9 | #2959 |
| 1961 | 13 | #2380 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Laddie as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Laddie has also been given to 92 girls in the U.S. since 1902.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Laddie a boy's or girl's name?
When was Laddie most popular?
How popular is the name Laddie?
Can Laddie be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1908–2024