Hamish is a moderately popular boys' name in England & Wales, ranking #422 in 2024 with 95 recorded births. The name reached its all-time peak in 1998 with 138 births ranking #222. Since 1996, the popularity has decreased by 29.6%. In 2024, approximately 1 in every 2,924 boys born was named Hamish. STABLE Recent data shows the name is currently stable.
Hamish is the traditional Scottish form of James and shares the broader James family meaning usually given as "supplanter". It has strong Scottish identity and a warm, approachable sound.
The name began as a Gaelic form of James and later became familiar well beyond Scotland. Its charm comes from sounding distinctly regional while still being easy to recognise and use.