Blair

How to say it

/blɛr/

What it means

Scottish Gaelic blàr, 'field' or 'plain' (also 'battlefield' in some contexts). Originally a surname tied to many Scottish places; now a unisex first name with several distinct cultural anchors.

Blair comes from the Scottish Gaelic blàr, meaning 'field' or 'plain,' sometimes 'battlefield.' It was a topographic surname tied to many Scottish places (Blair Atholl, Blairgowrie) and clans. As a first name Blair is unisex. The Blair Witch Project (1999) brought the name into US pop awareness; Tony Blair (UK Prime Minister 1997-2007) anchored the British political reference; Gossip Girl's Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester, 2007-2012) gave the feminine usage a teen-drama anchor; Linda Blair from The Exorcist (1973) covers the horror reference. As a US given name Blair has been climbing for girls since the Gossip Girl years. Single syllable, no shorter form.

Heads-up notes

• Pop culture

  Blair Waldorf (Gossip Girl, 2007-2012) is the dominant millennial-feminine anchor; The Blair Witch Project (1999) and Tony Blair give the other two strong references.

Who's worn it

Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.

• Tony Blair UK Prime Minister, 1997-2007
• Blair Waldorf Leighton Meester's character in Gossip Girl, 2007-2012

Spelling variants

• Blaire
• Blayre

Names with the same feeling

• Quinn Descendant of Conn
• Reese Ardent, fiery
• Harper Harp player
• Sloane Raider, warrior
• Kennedy Helmeted head

See Blair from another angle