Blair is an English-language name of

Scottish Gaelic Scottish Gaelic ( gd, Gàidhlig ), also known as Scots Gaelic and Gaelic, is a Goidelic language (in the Celtic branch of the Indo-European language family) native to the Gaels of Scotland. As a Goidelic language, Scottish Gaelic, as well ...

origin. The surname is derived from any of the numerous places in

Scotland Scotland (, ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a Anglo-Scottish border, border with England to the southeast ...

called ''Blair'', derived from the Scottish Gaelic ''blàr'', meaning "plain", "meadow" or "field", frequently a “battlefield””. The

given name A given name (also known as a forename or first name) is the part of a personal name quoted in that identifies a person, potentially with a middle name as well, and differentiates that person from the other members of a group (typically a ...

''Blair'' is unisex and derived from the surname. Blair is generally a masculine name in Scotland and Canada, although it is more popular in the United States, where it is also a feminine name. A variant spelling of the given name is ''Blaire''. In 2016, in the United States, Blair was the 521st most popular name for girls born that year, and the 1807th most popular for boys.

People with the surname

A–E

* Adam Blair (born 1986), New Zealand rugby league player *

Andrew M. Blair Andrew M. Blair (April 1818???) was an American lawyer, politician, and Wisconsin pioneer. He served in the Wisconsin State Senate, representing Ozaukee County. Biography Andrew Blair was born in Stannard, Vermont, in April 1818. He was raised ...

(1818–???), American politician in Wisconsin * Andy Blair (born 1959) Scottish footballer * Anthony Blair (criminal) (1849–1879), American hanged for murder *

Austin Blair Austin Blair (February 8, 1818 – August 6, 1894), also known as the Civil War Governor, was a politician from the U.S. state of Michigan, serving as its 13th governor and in its House of Representatives and Senate as well as the U.S. Sena ...

(1818–1894), Governor of Michigan * B. Brian Blair (born 1957), American professional wrestler and local politician *

Bill Blair (disambiguation) Bill Blair may refer to: *Bill Blair (American Association pitcher) (1863–1890), Major League Baseball player * Bill Blair (basketball) (born 1942), American basketball player *Bill Blair (Negro Leagues pitcher) (1921–2014), Negro league pitche ...

, several people *

Bonnie Blair Bonnie Kathleen Blair (born March 18, 1964) is a retired American speed skater. She is one of the top skaters of her era, and one of the most decorated athletes in Olympic history. Blair competed for the United States in four Olympics, winnin ...

(born 1964), American Olympic gold medalist in speed skating * Bruce G. Blair (1947–2020), American activist *

Cherie Blair Cherie, Lady Blair, (; born 23 September 1954), also known professionally as Cherie Booth, is an English barrister and writer. She is married to the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir Tony Blair. Early life and education Booth ...

(born 1954), British barrister and wife of Tony Blair *

Cheyse Blair Cheyse Blair (born 18 January 1992) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who last played as a or forward for the Castleford Tigers ( Heritage № 993) in the Super League. He previously played for the Parramatta Eels, Manly ...

(born 1992), Australian Rugby League player *

Clancy Blair Clarence Bissell Blair Jr. is an American developmental psychologist and Professor of Cognitive Psychology in the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development at New York University. He previously taught at Pennsylvania State Un ...

, American psychologist *

Danny Blair Daniel Blair (2 February 1905 – 7 March 1985) was a Scottish football player who began his senior career in North America before finishing it in England. He also earned eight caps with the Scottish national team. Early career Although he w ...

(1905–1985), Scottish footballer *

David Blair (disambiguation) David Blair may refer to: * David Blair (dancer) (1932–1975), British ballet dancer * David Blair (director), British movie and TV director *David Blair (encyclopedist) (1820–1899), Irish Australian journalist and encyclopaedist * David Blair (f ...

, several people *

DeJuan Blair DeJuan Lamont Blair (born April 22, 1989) is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the Pittsburgh Panthers from 2007 to 2009. Blair entered the 2009 NBA draft where he was selected as the 37th overall ...

(born 1989), American basketball player * Dennis C. Blair (born 1947), United States Director of National Intelligence *

Doug Blair Douglas Blair Lucek, better known as Doug Blair (born February 11, 1963) is a heavy metal guitarist and member of W.A.S.P. Blair's early development as a musician took place in his home state of Connecticut. His focus on technical ability with ...

(born 1963), American heavy metal guitarist *

Doug Blair (footballer) Douglas Blair (26 June 1921 – July 1998) was an English professional footballer. He began his career at Blackpool but never featured in a Football League match for the club following the outbreak of the Second World War. On his return to footb ...

(1921–1998), footballer *

Edmund Blair Leighton Edmund Blair Leighton (21 September 18521 September 1922) was an English painter of historical genre scenes, specialising in Regency and medieval subjects. His art is associated with the pre-Raphaelite movement of the mid-to-late nineteenth an ...

, (1852–1922), English artist * Ellen A. Dayton Blair (1837–1926), American social reformer and art teacher *

Emily Newell Blair Emily Newell Blair (January 9, 1877 – August 3, 1951) was an American writer, suffragist, feminist, national Democratic Party political leader, and a founder of the League of Women Voters. Biography Early life and ancestors Emily Jane Newel ...

(1877–1951), American writer, suffragette, and founder of League of Women Voters *

Eric Arthur Blair Eric Arthur Blair (25 June 1903 – 21 January 1950), better known by his pen name George Orwell, was an English novelist, essayist, journalist, and critic. His work is characterised by lucid prose, social criticism, opposition to totalitar ...

(1903–1950), an author better known by his pen name George Orwell *

Euan Blair Euan Anthony Blair (born 19 January 1984) is the co-founder and chief executive of the apprenticeships company Multiverse. He is the eldest son of the former British prime minister Sir Tony Blair and lawyer Cherie Blair. Early life Blair was bo ...

(born 1984), British businessman and son of Tony Blair *

Everard Blair Brigadier-General Everard McLeod Blair (26 July 1866 – 16 May 1939) was an Indian-born English soldier and cricketer. Blair was a career soldier in the Royal Engineers, rising to the rank of Brigadier-General when he retired in 1918. He pla ...

(1866–1939), English soldier and cricketer

F–M

Francis Preston Blair Francis Preston Blair Sr. (April 12, 1791 – October 18, 1876) was an American journalist, newspaper editor, and influential figure in national politics advising several U.S. presidents across party lines. Blair was an early member of the D ...

(1791–1876), influential 19th-century American journalist and politician *

Francis Preston Blair Jr. Francis Preston Blair Jr. (February 19, 1821 – July 8, 1875) was a United States Senator, a United States Congressman and a Union Major General during the Civil War. He represented Missouri in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, a ...

(1821–1875), 19th-century American politician and

American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by states ...

general * Francis Simpson Blair (1839–1899), Virginia's Attorney General from 1882 to 1886 * Frederick Blair (1874–1959), director of Canada's Immigration Branch * Garfield Blair (born 1987), Jamaican basketball player * George A. Blair (1915–2013), American businessman *

George W. Blair George Warren Blair (August 24, 1921 – January 1, 2020) was an American politician in the state of South Dakota. He was a member of the South Dakota House of Representatives. Blair was born in Sturgis, South Dakota and graduated from Sturgis Hig ...

(1921–2020), American politician and rancher *

Gwenda Blair Gwenda Linda Blair (born 1943) is an American author and journalist known for her biographies of Jessica Savitch, Laura Ingalls Wilder, and the family of Donald Trump. She is an adjunct associate professor at the Columbia University Graduate Schoo ...

(born 1943), American author and journalist * Harold Blair (1924–1976), Australian tenor and Aboriginal activist *

Harvey Blair Harvey Antonio Blair (born 14 September 2003) is an English footballer who plays as a forward for club Liverpool. Early life Blair was born in Huddersfield, England. Club career Blair was originally part of Manchester United's youth setup ...

(born 2003), English footballer *

Henry W. Blair Henry William Blair (December 6, 1834March 14, 1920) was a United States representative and Senator from New Hampshire. During the American Civil War, he was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Union Army. A Radical Republican in his earlier political ...

(1834–1920), United States Representative and Senator from New Hampshire *

Hugh Blair Hugh Blair FRSE (7 April 1718 – 27 December 1800) was a Scottish minister of religion, author and rhetorician, considered one of the first great theorists of written discourse. As a minister of the Church of Scotland, and occupant of the ...

(1718–1800), Scottish author * Hugh Blair (composer) (1864–1932), English musician, composer and organist *

Hugh E. Blair ''Interlingua: A Grammar of the International Language'', sometimes called the ''Interlingua Grammar'', is the first grammar of Interlingua. Released in 1951 by the International Auxiliary Language Association (IALA), it remains an authoritative re ...

(1909–1967), linguist and co-developer of Interlingua * Iain Blair (1942–2011), Scottish journalist, actor and author *

Ian Blair Ian Warwick Blair, Baron Blair of Boughton, (born 19 March 1953) is a British retired policeman who held the position of Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis from 2005 to 2008 and was the highest-ranking officer within the Metropolitan Pol ...

(born 1953), former Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, London *

James Blair (Australian judge) Sir James William Blair (16 May 187018 November 1944) was an Australian politician, lawyer and judge. He was a successful politician, being elected to the Queensland Parliament on several occasions. He held the office of Attorney-General of Qu ...

(1870–1944), Australian judge *

James Blair (cricketer) This is a list of cricketers who have played first-class, List A or Twenty20 cricket for the Otago cricket team. Otago played its first representative match in January 1864 against Southland, before playing the first match in New Zealand which ...

(1900–1961), New Zealand cricketer *

James Blair (footballer) James Blair (8 August 1883 – 24 March 1913) was a Scottish professional footballer who played as a half back or inside forward. Career Born in Dumfries, Blair played for Kilmarnock, Arsenal, Manchester City, Bradford City and Stockport C ...

(1883–1913), Scottish footballer *

James Blair (Indian Army officer) General James Blair (27 January 1828 – 18 January 1905) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to members of British and Com ...

(1828–1905), Scottish recipient of the

Victoria Cross The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest and most prestigious award of the British honours system. It is awarded for valour "in the presence of the enemy" to members of the British Armed Forces and may be awarded posthumously. It was previously ...

* James Blair (MP) (1788–1841), Scots-Irish Member of Parliament *

James Blair (South Carolina) James Blair (September 26, 1786 – April 1, 1834) was a United States representative from South Carolina. He was born in the Waxhaw settlement, Lancaster County, South Carolina to Sarah Douglass and William Blair, immigrants from Ireland. He e ...

(1786–1834), American politician * James Blair (Virginia) (1656–1743), Scottish clergyman and founder of the College of William and Mary *

Jayson Blair Jayson Thomas Blair (born March 23, 1976) is an American former journalist who worked for ''The New York Times''. He resigned from the newspaper in May 2003 in the wake of the discovery of fabrication and plagiarism in his stories. Blair publi ...

(born 1976), former ''New York Times'' reporter *

Jayson Blair (actor) Jayson Blair (born May 17, 1983) is an American actor. He has appeared in many films and television series, including being a cast member of the sitcoms ''The Hard Times of RJ Berger'' (2010–2011) and '' The New Normal'' (2012–2013). Early ...

(born 1984), American actor *

Jimmy Blair (footballer, born 1888) James Blair (11 May 1888 – 28 February 1964) was a Scottish international footballer, probably most well known for playing in the 1925 FA Cup Final for Cardiff City. His sons, Doug and Jimmy Jr., were also professional footballers. Car ...

(died 1964), former Scottish international footballer *

Jimmy Blair (footballer, born 1918) James Alfred Blair (6 January 1918 – 1983) was a Scottish professional footballer. A forward, he was the son of Scottish international Jimmy Blair, Sr. and brother of Doug Blair. Career Blair began his professional career with Cardiff Cit ...

(died 1983), Scottish professional footballer * John Blair Jr. (1732–1800), 18th-century American politician and one of the first Associate Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court *

John Insley Blair John Insley Blair (August 22, 1802 – December 2, 1899) was an American entrepreneur, railroad magnate, philanthropist and one of the 19th century's wealthiest men. Early life John Insley Blair was born at Foul Rift in White Township, New Jer ...

(1802–1899), railroad tycoon *

John Leo Blair John Leo Blair (1888–1962) was an American businessman. He was the founder of New Process Company, now known simply as Blair Corporation – a direct market retail company. He was also an author, inventor, a pioneer in direct marketing, and an ...

(1888–1962), businessman, founder of

Blair Corporation Blair Corporation is one of America's largest direct marketing mail order retailers, selling clothing and household goods. Founded in 1910 as the New Process Company by John Leo Blair, the company celebrated its 100th year in business in 2010. Bla ...

* John T. Blair (1885–1976), architect *

June Blair Margaret June Blair (October 20, 1932 – December 4, 2022) was an American model and actress. She was best known for being ''Playboy'' magazine's Playmate of the Month for its January 1957 issue and for being part of the TV series ''The Adventu ...

(1933-2022), American actress and model * Kenneth Blair (1882–1952), English entomologist * Lewis Harvie Blair (1834–1916), American businessman and author * Leo Blair (1923–2012), father of Tony Blair *

Linda Blair Linda Denise Blair (born January 22, 1959) is an American actress and activist. She played Regan MacNeil in the horror film ''The Exorcist'' (1973), for which she won a Golden Globe Award and received a nomination for an Academy Award. The fil ...

(born 1959), American actress *

Lionel Blair Lionel Blair (born Henry Lionel Ogus; 12 December 1928 – 4 November 2021) was a Canadian-born British actor, choreographer, tap dancer, and television presenter. From the late 1960s until the early 1980s, he made regular appearances as a danc ...

(1928–2021), Canadian-born British entertainer *

Marquise Blair Marquise Damond Blair (born July 18, 1997) is an American football Safety (gridiron football position), safety who is a free agent. He played college football at Utah Utes football, Utah. Early years Blair attended Wooster High School (Ohio), ...

(born 1997), American football player *

Mary Blair Mary Blair (born Mary Browne Robinson; October 21, 1911 – July 26, 1978) was an American artist, animator, and designer. She was prominent in producing art and animation for The Walt Disney Company, drawing concept art for such films as '' ...

(1911–1978), American artist, animator *

Matthew Blair (disambiguation) Notable people named Matthew Blair include: * Matt Blair (1950–2020), American football player *Matty Blair Matthew James Blair (born 21 June 1989) is a former English professional footballer who last played as a right back for club Chelte ...

, several people *

Maybelle Blair Maybelle Blair (born January 16, 1927) is a former All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player. Listed at and , she batted and threw right-handed. Madden, W. C. (2005) ''The Women of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball Leagu ...

(born 1927), All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player * Mike Blair (born 1981), Scotland rugby union international *

Montgomery Blair Montgomery Blair (May 10, 1813 – July 27, 1883) was an American politician and lawyer from Maryland. He served in the Lincoln administration cabinet as Postmaster-General from 1861 to 1864, during the Civil War. He was the son of Francis Pres ...

(1813–1883), American politician and lawyer

N–Z

Natalie Blair Natalie Louise Blair (born 16 April 1984) is an Australian actress, best known for her role as Carmella Cammeniti on the Australian television series ''Neighbours''. Personal life Blair was born to John Blair on 16 April 1984 and raised in Go ...

(born 1984), Australian actress *Patricia Blair (1933–2013), American actress * Patrick Blair (surgeon) (–1728), Scottish surgeon-apothecary *Paul Blair (American football, born 1882), Paul Blair (1882–1904), American football player *Paul Blair (baseball) (1944–2013), American baseball player *Paul Blair (born 1978), American music producer, songwriter and DJ better known as DJ White Shadow *Preston Blair (1908–1994), American animator for Disney, MGM, and Hanna-Barbera *Randy Blair (born 1983), actor and writer *Richard Blair (disambiguation), several people *Robert Blair (disambiguation), several people *Saira Blair (born 1996), American politician *Selma Blair (born 1972), actress *G. W. Scott Blair (1902–1987) rheologist *Seth Blair (born 1989), American baseball player *Steven Blair (born 1939), American exercise scientist *Tom Blair (1892–1961), Scottish football goalkeeper *Tony Blair (born 1953), British politician and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1997–2007 *Walter Blair (disambiguation), several people *William Blair (disambiguation), several people *Wren Blair (1925–2013), Canadian ice hockey coach

People with the given name

A–E

*Blair Adams (born 1991), English football player *Blair Bann (born 1988), Canadian volleyball player *Blair Brown (born 1946), actress *Blair Brown (American football) (born 1994), American football player *Blair Butler (born 1978), American stand-up comedian *Blair Chenoweth, beauty queen *Blair Dunlop (born 1992), English musician and actor *Blair Effron (born 1962), American financier and co-founder of Centerview Partners

F–M

*Elle and Blair Fowler, Blair Fowler (born 1993), YouTube beauty guru *Blair Hinkle (born 1986), American professional poker player *Blair Hopping (born 1980), New Zealand field hockey player *Blair Horn (born 1961), Canadian rower *Blair Hull (born 1942), American businessman and politician *Blair Imani (born 1993), an African-American activist *Blair Joscelyne (born 1978), Australian composer, songwriter, and co-host of ''Mighty Car Mods'' *Blair Kiel (1961–2012), American football player *Blair Kinghorn (born 1997), Scotland Rugby Union international *Blair Late (born 1982), American pop singer *Blair Lee I (1857–1944), Lieutenant Governor of Maryland *Blair Lee III (1916–1985), Lieutenant Governor of Maryland *Blair Lekstrom (born 1961), Canadian politician *Blair Levin (born 1954), American lawyer *Blair Lewis (born 1956), an American gastroenterologist *Blair Longley (born 1950), Canadian politician *Blair MacKichan, English musician *Blair McDonough (born 1981), Australian actor *Blair Milan (1981–2011), Australian actor and television presenter

N–Z

*Blair Peach (1946–1979), New Zealand-born activist, a victim of police brutality *Blair Peters, Canadian animator and co-founder of Studio B Productions *Blair Phillips (born 1984), former American football linebacker *Blair Redford (born 1983), American actor *Blair St. Clair (born 1995), American drag queen *Blair Stewart (ice hockey) (born 1953), Canadian hockey player *Blair Stewart (rugby union) (born 1983), New Zealand rugby player *Blair Stewart-Wilson (1929–2011), British army officer *Blair Sturrock (born 1981), Scottish footballer *Blair Underwood (born 1964), American actor *Blair Walsh (born 1990), American football player *Blair White (born 1987), former American football wide receiver *Blaire White (born 1993), American YouTuber and political commentator *Blair Wilson (born 1963), Canadian former member of parliament

Fictional characters

*Blair (Soul Eater), a character from the manga and anime series ''Soul Eater'' *Blair Cramer, a character in the television series ''One Life to Live'' *Blair Dame, a character in the video game ''Street Fighter EX'' *Blair Waldorf, a character in the novels and television series ''Gossip Girl'' *Blair Warner, a character in the television series ''The Facts of Life'' *Blair, a main character in the animated television series ''Sunny Day (TV series), Sunny Day'' *Blair Willows (Princess Sophia), a main character in animated film ''Barbie: Princess Charm School'' *List of American Girl characters, Blaire Wilson, an ''American Girl'' character *Blair Pfaff, a main character in the television series Black Monday (TV series), ''Black'' ''Monday'' *Blair, a main character in the film The Thing (1982 film), ''The Thing''

References

{{given name, type=both English feminine given names English masculine given names English unisex given names English-language surnames English-language unisex given names