Scout

• Origin: English
• Meaning: “scout, explorer.”
• Gender: unisex
• First Est. 1960s

From the transferred use of the military reconnaissance term, pertaining to someone who covertly seeks out information. The word’s etymology ultimately stems from the Old French, escouter (to listen).

As a given-name, it was mainly introduced via Harper Lee’s character in the book To Kill a Mockingbird (1960). I have failed to find any records of the name being used on either gender prior to this period. Demi Moore and Bruce Willis gave the name mainstream appeal when they used it for their daughter in 1991. However, it took almost 30 years to crack the U.S. Top 1000 Most Popular Female Names, first entering in 2018. As of 2025, Scout ranked as the 995th most popular female name.

Other notable bearers include British singer Scout Niblett (née Emma Louise Niblett), American actress Scout Taylor-Compton (née Desiree), and American photojournalist Scout Tufankjian (b. 1977).

Though it is more commonly used on females, it is gender-neutral enough in feel to be easily used on males.

It has literary and Bohemian appeal.

Sister Names: Aspen, Auden, Baylor, Bellamy, Brook(e), Cedar, Cree, Dakota, Dallas, Everl(e)y, Harlow(e), Harper, Hartley, Indigo, Indie/Indy, Jade, Jordan, Kestrel, Kismet, Laken, Lakelyn, Malone, Memphis, Navy, Oakley, Onyx, Paige, Piper, Poe, Rain, Ripley, Rowan, Sailor/Saylor, Salem, Sky(e), Teal, Temple, Topaz, Waverl(e)y, Willow, Wren, Yarrow

Brother Names: Ace, Aldous, Algernon, Banks, Baylor, Brooks, Cash, Chance, Cree, Dakota, Dallas, Dane, Easton, Everett, Fo(r)rest, Finch, Fox, Gray/Grey, Griffin, Hayden, Heath, Hudson, Hunter, Jasper, Jett, Jordan, Kipling, Lachlan, Lake, Lennox, Maddox, Mason, Maverick, Nash, Nixon, Orson, Patton, Phoenix, Price, Radcliff, River(s), Rowan, Schuyler, Seven, Sparrow, Talon, Tennyson, Truce, Upton, Vance, Wallace, Waylon, Wyatt, Yardley, Zayden