Margaret was the most popular girls' name registered in Scotland in 1950, according to the National Records of Scotland. Elizabeth, Mary, Catherine, and Anne completed the top five, with many traditional names dominating the list.
Royal and Traditional Favourites
Margaret's popularity likely owed much to Princess Margaret, then 19 and a prominent figure in British public life. Elizabeth, the second most common name, had an obvious royal link through Princess Elizabeth, who became Queen two years later.
Mary, in third place, was a timeless choice with connections to actress and singer Mary Ellis. Catherine, fourth, was another traditional name with deep Scottish and royal associations, often passed down through generations.
Anne's Memorable Year
Anne, fifth on the list, had a particularly notable year in 1950 as Princess Anne was born in August. The name was also associated with actress Anne Crawford, who was raised in Edinburgh and starred in films like Millions Like Us and They Were Sisters.
Other traditional names like Helen, Agnes, Kathleen, Jean, Janet, and Isabella featured strongly, alongside Scottish favourites such as Moira, Isobel, Morag, Fiona, and Lorna.
A Glimpse into Post-War Scotland
The list reflects a period of change, with Scotland still recovering from the Second World War and rationing. Television was not yet broadcast in Scotland until 1952, so cinema, radio, and newspapers were the main sources of entertainment and news.
More than 75 years later, these names evoke memories of mums, grans, and great-grans. Some remain popular today, while others have a vintage feel. The full list of the 100 most popular girls' names from 1950 is available below.
