Scottish Gaelic boy name
Torquil Name Meaning, Origin & Pronunciation
Torquil means thor's cauldron. From the Old Norse Þorkell, meaning Thor's cauldron, Gaelicised as Torcall
Torquil is a Scottish form of the Norse name Þorkell, meaning Thor's cauldron, which reached the Hebrides with the Vikings. The Gaelic form is Torcall. It has long been a chiefly name in the Western Isles, notably among the MacLeods of Lewis, and it remains in use in some old Highland families. The name is rare, memorable and slightly dashing, pronounced with a hard c and a short ending. It stands out as a distinctive way to reflect the Norse-Gaelic past of Scotland.
Variants of Torquil
TorcallThorkellTorkel
Torquil popularity: Ireland vs the US
Torquil does not appear in the official Irish or US baby name rankings, which only list names given to a handful of babies a year. It is a rare choice in both countries.
Data: US Social Security Administration (public domain) and Central Statistics Office, Ireland (CC BY 4.0). Irish accented spellings (such as Síle) are only recorded from 2018, so earlier years combine spellings.
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Torquil mean?
Torquil means "thor's cauldron". From the Old Norse Þorkell, meaning Thor's cauldron, Gaelicised as Torcall.
How do you pronounce Torquil?
Torquil is pronounced TOR-kwil.
What is the origin of Torquil?
Torquil is of Scottish Gaelic origin. From the Old Norse Þorkell, meaning Thor's cauldron, Gaelicised as Torcall.