Cameron is a given name of Scottish origin, derived from the Scottish surname Cameron. The surname itself comes from the Gaelic elements cam meaning "crooked" and sròn meaning "nose", thus the literal meaning is "crooked nose". Historically, it was a nickname for someone with a distinctive nose shape. As a given name, Cameron is mainly used for boys, but it saw a slight increase in popularity for girls in the late 1990s, likely due to the fame of actress Cameron Diaz (born 1972). In the United States, the variant spellings Camryn and Kamryn have become more common than Cameron for girls. Etymology and History The name Cameron is primarily a transferred use of the Scottish surname. The surname Cameron is associated with the Clan Cameron, a Highland Scottish clan that traces its origins to the 13th century. The Gaelic components cam (crooked) and sròn (nose) likely referred to a person with a bent or prominent nose. Over time, the surname spread beyond Scotland and gained popularity as a first name in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Notable Bearers Notable men named Cameron include Cameron Achord, an American football coach; Cameron Alborzian (born 1967), a British-Iranian yogi and model; Cameron M. Alexander (1932–2018), an American Baptist minister and community leader in Atlanta; Cameron Allan (1955–2013), an Australian-born American composer; and Cameron Ambridge (born 1978), an Australian stuntman. Additionally, Cameron Anderson (1857–1926) served as a Canadian politician, Cameron Ansell (born 1992) is a Canadian voice actor, Cameron Argetsinger (1921–2008) was a lawyer and racing executive, Cameron Artigliere (born 1990) is a German soccer player, Cameron Artis-Payne (born 1990) is an American football running back, and Cameron Ayers (born 1991) is an American basketball player. These individuals span diverse fields including sports, entertainment, politics, and the arts. Cultural Significance While originally a surname, Cameron became a popular given name in the 20th century for its strong sound and Scottish heritage. It is gender-neutral in practice but more commonly assigned to males. The actress Cameron Diaz significantly influenced its use for girls in the 1990s, leading to the rise of alternative spellings like Camryn and Kamryn for females. Diminutives include Cam and Kam. Meaning: Crooked nose Origin: Scottish (Gaelic) Type: Given name (from surname) Usage: English (primarily male, but also female)