Blair is an

English-language English is a West Germanic language of the Indo-European language family, with its earliest forms spoken by the inhabitants of early medieval England. It is named after the Angles, one of the ancient Germanic peoples that migrated to t ...

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 a ...

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

Scotland Scotland (, ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to th ...

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

(born 1954), British barrister and wife of Tony Blair * Cheyse Blair (born 1992), Australian Rugby League player * Clancy Blair, 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 ...

(1905–1985), Scottish footballer * David Blair (disambiguation), several people * DeJuan Blair (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 wit ...

(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 ...

, (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 A suffragette was a member of an activist women's organisation in the early 20th century who, under the banner "Votes for Women", fought for the right to vote in public elections in the United Kingdom. The term refers in particular to members ...

, 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 totalita ...

(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 b ...

(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 playe ...

(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 De ...

(1791–1876), influential 19th-century American journalist and politician * Francis Preston Blair Jr. (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 state ...

general * Francis Simpson Blair (1839–1899), Virginia's

Attorney General In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general or attorney-general (sometimes abbreviated AG or Atty.-Gen) is the main legal advisor to the government. The plural is attorneys general. In some jurisdictions, attorneys general also have exec ...

from 1882 to 1886 *

Frederick Blair Frederick Charles Blair, ISO was the director of the Government of Canada's Immigration Branch of the Department of Mines and Resources from 1936 to 1943.Irving Abella and Harold Troper, "The line must be drawn somewhere": Canada and Jewish Refugee ...

(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 (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 School ...

(born 1943), American author and journalist *

Harold Blair Harold Blair (13 September 1924 – 21 May 1976) was an Australian tenor and Aboriginal activist. He has been called the "last great Australian tenor of the concert hall era". Early life Blair was born at the Barambah Aboriginal Reserve at ...

(1924–1976), Australian tenor and Aboriginal activist * Harvey Blair (born 2003), English footballer * Henry W. Blair (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 C ...

(1718–1800), Scottish author * Hugh Blair (composer) (1864–1932), English musician, composer and organist * Hugh E. Blair (1909–1967), linguist and co-developer of Interlingua *

Iain Blair Iain Blair (12 August 1942 – 3 July 2011) was a Scottish actor and author who, using the pen name Emma Blair, wrote a series of romantic novels. Early life, education and early career Blair was born in Glasgow and spent the first few years o ...

(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 P ...

(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) (1900–1961), New Zealand cricketer * James Blair (footballer) (1883–1913), Scottish footballer * James Blair (Indian Army officer) (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 en ...

(1786–1834), American politician *

James Blair (Virginia) James Blair (1656 – 18 April 1743) was a clergyman in the Church of England. He was also a missionary and an educator, best known as the founder of the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. Youth and education James Blair w ...

(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 publis ...

(born 1976), former ''New York Times'' reporter * Jayson Blair (actor) (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. Career ...

(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 City ...

(died 1983), Scottish professional footballer *

John Blair Jr. John Blair Jr. (April 17, 1732 – August 31, 1800) was an American Founding Father, who signed the United States Constitution as a delegate from Virginia and was appointed an Associate Justice on the first U.S. Supreme Court by George Washin ...

(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 Jerse ...

(1802–1899), railroad tycoon * John Leo Blair (1888–1962), businessman, founder of Blair Corporation * John T. Blair (1885–1976), architect * June Blair (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 (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 (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 ''Al ...

(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 Chelten ...

, several people * Maybelle Blair (born 1927), All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player *

Mike Blair Michael Robert Leighton Blair (born 20 April 1981) is a Scottish rugby union coach who was formerly a professional player. He is the head coach of Edinburgh. He played at scrum-half for Glasgow Warriors, Newcastle Falcons, CA Brive and ...

(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 Pre ...

(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 G ...

(born 1984), Australian actress * Patricia Blair (1933–2013), American actress * Patrick Blair (surgeon) (–1728), Scottish surgeon-apothecary * Paul Blair (1882–1904), American football player *

Paul Blair (baseball) Paul L. D. Blair (February 1, 1944 – December 26, 2013) was an American professional baseball player and coach. He played in Major League Baseball as an outfielder from through , most notably as the center fielder for the Baltimore Orioles dyna ...

(1944–2013), American baseball player *Paul Blair (born 1978), American music producer, songwriter and DJ better known as

DJ White Shadow Paul Edward Blair (born September 20, 1978), known by his stage name DJ White Shadow, sometimes written as DJWS, is an American music producer, musician, songwriter and DJ. Based in Chicago, Illinois, he is best known as the producer for Lady Ga ...

* Preston Blair (1908–1994), American animator for Disney, MGM, and Hanna-Barbera * Randy Blair (born 1983), actor and writer *

Richard Blair (disambiguation) Richard Blair or ''similar'', may refer to: * Richard Blair (cricketer), English cricketer * Richard Blair (musician), founder of ChocQuibTown * Richard Blair (patron) (born 1944), son of George Orwell * Richard Blair-Oliphant, American composer ...

, several people * Robert Blair (disambiguation), several people * Saira Blair (born 1996), American politician *

Selma Blair Selma Blair Beitner (born June 23, 1972) is an American actress. She played a number of roles in films and on television before obtaining recognition for her leading role in the film '' Brown's Requiem'' (1998). Her breakthrough came when she s ...

(born 1972), actress *

G. W. Scott Blair George William Scott Blair (23 July 1902 – 30 September 1987) was British chemist noted for his contributions to rheology. In fact he has been called "the first rheologist"D. Doraiswamy (2002) ''Rheology Bulletin'' vol 71, no 1. "Origins of Rheo ...

(1902–1987) rheologist * Seth Blair (born 1989), American baseball player *

Steven Blair Steven Noel Blair (born July 4, 1939) is an American exercise scientist. He has been a tenured professor in the Department of Exercise Science and Epidemiology and Biostatistics in the University of South Carolina's Arnold School of Public Health ...

(born 1939), American exercise scientist * Tom Blair (1892–1961), Scottish football goalkeeper *

Tony Blair Sir Anthony Charles Lynton Blair (born 6 May 1953) is a British former politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1997 to 2007 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007. He previously served as Leader of the ...

(born 1953), British politician and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1997–2007 *

Walter Blair (disambiguation) Walter Blair may refer to: * Walter Blair (baseball) Walter Allen Blair (October 13, 1883 – August 20, 1948), nicknamed "Heavy", was an American catcher in Major League Baseball player born in Landrus, Pennsylvania who, after attending Bucknell ...

, several people *

William Blair (disambiguation) William Blair may refer to: *William Blair (American politician) (1820–1880), member of the Wisconsin State Senate *William Blair (Australian footballer) (1912–1960), Australian footballer and umpire *William Blair (Ayrshire MP) (died 1841), mem ...

, 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 Bonnie Blair Brown (born April 23, 1946) is an American theater, film and television actress. She has had a number of high-profile roles, including in the play ''Copenhagen'' on Broadway, the leading actress in the films ''Altered States'' ( ...

(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

* Blair Fowler (born 1993), YouTube beauty guru *

Blair Hinkle Blair Hinkle (born 1986) is an American online high-stakes poker player and live midstakes poker player who won the 2008 World Series of Poker (WSOP) $2,000 No-Limit Hold'em event. He earned $507,613 at the event. Less than two weeks earlie ...

(born 1986), American professional poker player * Blair Hopping (born 1980), New Zealand field hockey player *

Blair Horn Blair Horn (born July 17, 1961) is a Canadian former rower, who was a member of the Canadian men's eights team that won the gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California. Born in Kelowna, British Columbia, Horn is a graduate ...

(born 1961), Canadian rower *

Blair Hull Blair Hull (born September 3, 1942) is an American businessman, investor, Democratic politician, and philanthropist. Hull founded Hull Trading Company in 1985 and served as the firm's Chairman and chief executive officer before selling it to Goldm ...

(born 1942), American businessman and politician *

Blair Imani Blair Imani (born Blair Elizabeth Brown, October 31, 1993) is an American author, historian, and activist. She identifies as queer, Black, bisexual and Muslim. She is a member of the Black Lives Matter movement, and is known for protesting the ...

(born 1993), an African-American activist *

Blair Joscelyne Blair Lyndon Joscelyne (also known as Moog) is an Australian composer, musician, producer, and film maker. He is best known for composing music for television and film, and for being a co-creator of the YouTube series Mighty Car Mods. Career ...

(born 1978), Australian composer, songwriter, and co-host of ''

Mighty Car Mods ''Mighty Car Mods'' is a YouTube channel that focuses on DIY car modifications and car culture. Created by Blair Joscelyne (known as MOOG) and Martin Mulholland the show is centred around the journey through buying, modifying and then testing o ...

'' * 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 Blair Lekstrom (born 1961) is a Canadian politician, formerly a member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. He represented the riding of Peace River South having been first elected in the 2001 election. Re-elected in 2005 and 2009, ...

(born 1961), Canadian politician *

Blair Levin Blair Steven Levin is an American lawyer formerly with the Federal Communications Commission, who served as the Executive Director of the National Broadband Plan from 2009 to 2010. During the Presidency of Bill Clinton he was chief of staff to FC ...

(born 1954), American lawyer *

Blair Lewis Blair S. Lewis, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.G., (born November 23, 1956 in Hartford, Connecticut) is an American board-certified gastroenterologist and Clinical Professor of Medicine at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Lewis is a specialist in the ...

(born 1956), an American gastroenterologist * Blair Longley (born 1950), Canadian politician * Blair MacKichan, English musician *

Blair McDonough Blair McDonough (born 30 April 1981), is an Australian actor who is best known for playing the role of Stuart Parker in the Australian TV soap opera '' Neighbours''. He first shot to fame the age of 19 in 2001, when he finished runner-up in the ...

(born 1981), Australian actor *

Blair Milan Blair Milan (25 June 1981 – 17 April 2011) was an Australian actor, television presenter and voice over. He appeared in programs such as ''Home and Away'' and '' All Saints'', and was a presenter for Nickelodeon's ''Coast to Coast'' and the ...

(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 David Blair Redford (born July 27, 1983) is an American actor. He is known for his television roles such as Scotty Grainger on ''The Young and the Restless'', Miguel Lopez-Fitzgerald on ''Passions'', Ethan Whitehorse on '' The Lying Game'', Tyl ...

(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) Blair Stewart (born 2 October 1983 in Christchurch) is a New Zealand professional rugby union player. He currently plays at fly-half for Bayonne in the Top 14 The Top 14 () is a professional rugby union club competition that is played in ...

(born 1983), New Zealand rugby player * Blair Stewart-Wilson (1929–2011), British army officer * Blair Sturrock (born 1981), Scottish footballer *

Blair Underwood Blair Erwin Underwood (born August 25, 1964) is an American actor. He made his debut in the 1985 musical film '' Krush Groove'' and from 1987 to 1994 starred as attorney Jonathan Rollins in the NBC legal drama series '' L.A. Law''. Underwood has ...

(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 Blair Wilson (born May 18, 1963) is a Canadian politician and formerly the member of Parliament (MP) in the 39th Canadian parliament for West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country electoral district. He was elected on January 23, 2006 ...

(born 1963), Canadian former member of parliament

Fictional characters

* Blair (Soul Eater), a character from the manga and anime series ''Soul Eater'' *

Blair Cramer Blair Cramer (raised as Blair Daimler; formerly Buchanan, Manning, Holden, McBain, and Clarke) is a fictional character from the American daytime drama series '' One Life to Live''. The niece of leading antagonist Dr. Dorian Cramer Lord of the ...

, a character in the television series ''One Life to Live'' * Blair Dame, a character in the video game ''Street Fighter EX'' *

Blair Waldorf Blair Cornelia Waldorf (married name Bass) is one of the main characters of ''Gossip Girl (novel series), Gossip Girl'', introduced in the original series of novels and also appearing as the lead in the Gossip Girl, television adaptation; she als ...

, a character in the novels and television series ''

Gossip Girl ''Gossip Girl'' is an American teen drama television series based on the novel series of the same name written by Cecily von Ziegesar. The series, developed for television by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, ran on The CW network for six ...

'' * Blair Warner, a character in the television series ''The Facts of Life'' *Blair, a main character in the animated television series '' Sunny Day'' *Blair Willows (Princess Sophia), a main character in animated film '' Barbie: Princess Charm School'' * Blaire Wilson, an ''

American Girl American Girl is an American line of dolls released on May 5, 1986, by Pleasant Company. The dolls portray eight- to fourteen-year-old boys and girls of a variety of ethnicities, faiths, and social classes from different time periods throughou ...

'' character *Blair Pfaff, a main character in the television series ''Black'' ''Monday'' *Blair, a main character in the 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