
The baby name Reid is the Scottish and Irish version of the baby name Reed. Each means red-haired though as the name began as a nickname then became a surname itself for red-haired people in these cultures. Now, it is close to a top 300 name for boys.
Meaning of the name Reid:
Irish: red-haired
English: red-haired
Scottish: red-haired
Origin of the name Reid:
The spelling Reid may be the Gaelic version of the English surname Reed. Originally, these names were given as a surname for patriarchs in families with red hair. This is because the baby name Reid was originally just a nickname for these individuals.
Symbolism of the name Reid:
Reid comes from the Old English word “read.” Though this appears like the modern English word spelled the same, in those days, “read” meant “red.” It makes sense then that Reid and Reed were nicknames for red-haired men.

Style of the name Reid:
Traditional
Gender of the name Reid:
Reid is more commonly used as a boy's name, but it is seen among girls too.
Pronunciation of the name Reid:
REED
Number of syllables in the name Reid:
One
Emotion evoked from the name Reid:
Reid is a simple baby name that has a certain strength attached to it. It feels like a name for someone who would be a hard worker.
Alternative spellings for the name Reid:
- Reed
- Reide
- Reede
- Reyde
- Reyd
Nicknames for the name Reid:
- Rere
- Weid
- Red
- Reidie
- Reidy
- Reddy
Popularity of the name Reid:
Reid has been on the top 1,000 list since 1901, but only in recent decades has it become popular. From 2010 to 2019, the name was actually a top 300 name. In the year 2020, it did decline back to rank 315.
Related names for the name Reid:
Great middle names for Reid and their meanings:
- Easton (east-facing place)
- Sinclair (pure, illustrious)
- Beckett (beehive, bee cottage)
- Miller (one who grinds grain)
- Kinley (warrior)
- Coraline (heart, maiden)
- Lillian (lily, a flower)
- Sophia (wise)
Famous people with the name Reid:
- Reid Scott (actor, “Veep”)
- Reid Hoffman (founder of LinkedIn)
- Reid Carruthers (professional curler)
- Reid Ewing (actor, “Modern Family”)
- Reid Coolsaet (Olympian in track and field)
Reids in popular culture:
There are no characters in popular culture to speak of with the name Reid.