reid

Reid is a Scottish name meaning “red-haired.” It began as a nickname for someone with auburn hair and later became a given name with a clean, modern sound. One standout namesake is Reid Hoffman, the co-founder of LinkedIn—proof the name can feel both classic and future-facing.

What Does the Name Reid Mean?

Reid means “red-haired,” originally describing someone with reddish or auburn hair. In other words, if you’re searching reid name meaning or asking what does reid mean, the simplest answer is: it’s a Scottish-rooted name tied to a vivid, visible trait.

Now let me tell you why that matters more than it seems.

From up there, I realized names aren’t just labels—they’re tiny time capsules. When I looked down at Earth from orbit, borders faded and the planet felt like one living system. Yet the most human thing about us—our stories—stayed sharp. Names are one of the first stories we’re given. Reid started as a description (a red-haired person), but it grew into something bigger: a signal of identity, heritage, and a certain bright, ember-like individuality.

There’s something cosmic about a name that begins with color—because in space, color is data. Red can mean iron-rich dust on Mars, the ruddy glow of a nebula, or a star’s shift in the spectrum. On Earth, “red-haired” can mean you stand out in a crowd before you even speak. Reid carries that same energy: distinct without being loud.

Introduction

Reid is short, strong, and quietly memorable, which is exactly why so many parents keep it on their list. It’s the kind of name that fits a baby, a teenager, and a CEO without ever feeling costume-like.

I’m Commander Stella Horizon—retired astronaut, eternal skywatcher—and I’ll admit I have a bias: I love names that sound like they could belong to a future crew manifest. Reid does. It’s one syllable, crisp as a radio call sign. When you’re strapped into a spacecraft and you hear a name through comms, you want it clean. You want it unmistakable.

But I also love names that can hold tenderness. Reid isn’t just “cool.” It has warmth in it—like copper, like late-day sunlight, like the glow of a cabin lamp when the rest of the world is asleep. And if you’re here because you’re choosing a reid baby name, I want to give you more than a meaning. I want to give you a feeling, a history, and a sense of how this name might travel with your child through decades you can’t yet imagine.

Because from up there, I realized something that still makes my throat tighten: legacy is not a monument. It’s a chain of small choices—and naming is one of the first.

Where Does the Name Reid Come From?

Reid comes from Scotland, derived from Scots and Old English roots meaning “red” and used as a nickname for a red-haired or ruddy-complexioned person before becoming a surname and later a given name.

The origin story of Reid is wonderfully human: people noticed what was visible and turned it into identity. In Scots, reid literally means “red.” It’s connected to Old English rēad (“red”), the ancestor of modern English “red.” Over time, what began as a descriptor—“the reid one,” the red-haired neighbor—became a family name, and then a first name.

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How did a hair-color nickname become a modern first name? That journey (nickname → surname → given name) happens a lot in the British Isles. Think of names like **Hunter**, **Taylor**, **Parker**, or **Walker**. Reid fits that same pattern, but with a key difference: it’s **elemental**. It’s not a job; it’s a trait—like naming someone “Bright” or “Ash.”

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Why does Reid feel so contemporary? Because it’s: - **One syllable** (fast, clean, modern) - **Easy to spell and pronounce** - **Surname-as-first-name** style (still trending) - Familiar but not overused in many regions

When I was training, we learned that clarity saves lives: concise checklists, standardized phrases, no ambiguity. Reid has that same clarity. Yet it still feels intimate—like it belongs in a whisper as much as it does on a diploma.

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A small cultural note (and a gentle correction) You’ll see “Reed” and “Reid” used interchangeably in casual conversation, but they aren’t identical. **Reed** often ties to the plant (reeds near water), while **Reid** more strongly signals the Scottish “red” origin. If Scottish heritage matters to you, Reid is the sharper arrow back to that origin.

Who Are Famous Historical Figures Named Reid?

Notable historical figures named Reid include Reid Hoffman (technology entrepreneur), Reid Blackburn (photographer), and Reid Stowe (artist and adventurer). Each represents a different kind of legacy: building systems, documenting truth, and testing human endurance.

Let’s take them one by one—because these aren’t just trivia answers; they show how “Reid” behaves in the real world.

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Reid Hoffman (born 1967) Reid Hoffman is best known as a **co-founder of LinkedIn** and a major voice in Silicon Valley investing and entrepreneurship. Whatever you think about tech culture, Hoffman’s impact is measurable: LinkedIn changed how people network professionally across the globe.

From up there, I realized networks are everything—orbital mechanics, communications relays, ground stations, crew dynamics. Hoffman’s “Reid” story is about connection: building infrastructure for human opportunity. That’s a very future-facing legacy for a name that began as a medieval nickname.

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Reid Blackburn (1952–1980) Reid Blackburn was an American photographer who died during the **1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens**. His work is remembered in part because it captures the human desire to get close to the edge—to witness, to understand, to bring something back for the rest of us.

As an astronaut, I understand that pull. Risk is never romantic when you’re living it, but there’s a reason explorers exist. Blackburn’s legacy gives the name Reid a gravity: curiosity with consequences.

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Reid Stowe (born 1952) Reid Stowe is known for an unusual endurance feat: he lived at sea for long periods and undertook extended voyages. His story sits in that strange overlap of art, adventure, and personal mythology.

If Blackburn shows the cost of proximity to danger, Stowe shows the other side: the long patience of an odyssey. Spaceflight is like that too—hours of routine wrapped around moments of intensity. A name like Reid can carry that sense of steady stamina.

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A broader “Reid” historical thread The name appears across history most often as a surname (and in place names), but as a given name it has grown in the modern era—especially in English-speaking countries. That’s part of its charm: it’s rooted, but it still feels like it belongs to the present.

Which Celebrities Are Named Reid?

Well-known celebrities named Reid include actor Reid Scott, actor Reid Ewing, and screenwriter/director Reid Carolin. The name also appears frequently as a character name in popular TV, which keeps it familiar to new parents.

Here are the highlights—with the kind of details parents actually care about when imagining their child’s name in the world.

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Reid Scott Reid Scott is widely recognized for his role as Dan Egan on HBO’s *Veep*. His version of “Reid” feels polished, quick, and witty—proof the name can fit someone who lives in fast dialogue and sharper suits.

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Reid Ewing Reid Ewing played Dylan on *Modern Family*. If you’ve ever watched that show in the exhausted haze of new parenthood (I’ve heard this from so many friends), you know how deeply sitcom characters can imprint on a name’s “vibe.” Ewing gives Reid a softer, contemporary, approachable feel.

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Reid Carolin Reid Carolin is a screenwriter and director, known for work including *Magic Mike* (screenplay). That creative association matters: it places Reid in the world of storytelling, production, and cultural conversation.

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What about “Reid celebrity babies”? **As of my latest verified knowledge, “Reid” is more common as a given name for celebrities themselves than as a widely reported celebrity baby name.** That’s actually useful intel: it means you can choose Reid without it feeling like you’re copying a headline trend.

That said, the broader celebrity landscape has embraced short, surname-style names (think Hayes, Brooks, Rhodes, Wells). Reid fits right into that aesthetic—camera-ready but not flashy.

There’s something cosmic about choosing a name that doesn’t need celebrity endorsement to feel current. From up there, I realized how quickly trends burn out; a name that lasts is one that doesn’t depend on the moment.

What Athletes Are Named Reid?

Notable athletes named Reid include Reid Travis (basketball), Reid Ferguson (American football), and Reid Coolsaet (distance running). The name shows up across sports that reward discipline, timing, and mental toughness—traits I associate with both athletics and spaceflight.

Let’s ground this in real people, real leagues, real grit:

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Reid Travis (Basketball) Reid Travis played college basketball at Stanford and later transferred to Kentucky. Big men do a lot of unglamorous work—screens, rebounds, defense. That “do the job” energy feels very Reid to me: **steady performance, low drama**.

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Reid Ferguson (American Football) Reid Ferguson is known as a long snapper in the NFL. If you want a metaphor for space missions, it’s this: a role that’s invisible until it’s not. Long snappers live in the world of precision and repeatability—**millimeters matter**.

That’s astronaut life too. The public sees launch and landing; the mission is built on thousands of perfectly executed “small” actions.

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Reid Coolsaet (Athletics) Reid Coolsaet is a Canadian long-distance runner who has competed at the highest levels (including the Olympics). Distance running is an argument with yourself over time: pacing, breath, mental endurance. Again—very Reid.

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More “Reid” in the sports ecosystem You’ll also encounter Reid as a surname in sports (like NFL coach **Andy Reid**), but as a first name it’s especially appealing because it sounds like a call sign on a jersey: compact, readable, confident.

If you’re choosing a reid baby name and you want something that feels athletic without being macho, Reid hits that sweet spot.

What Songs and Movies Feature the Name Reid?

The name Reid appears more often in film and TV as a character name than in song titles, with one of the most recognizable uses being Dr. Spencer Reid on Criminal Minds. In music, “Reid” is less common in titles, but it appears in artist names and references—keeping it culturally present without being overexposed.

Here’s the honest landscape—no made-up song titles, no reaching.

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The TV character everyone remembers: Spencer Reid If you say “Reid” to a huge segment of TV viewers, they immediately think of **Dr. Spencer Reid** from *Criminal Minds* (played by Matthew Gray Gubler). He’s brilliant, sensitive, and socially awkward in a way that reads as sincere rather than cynical.

That association has real naming power. I’ve met parents who admit, sheepishly, “Yes… it was Criminal Minds.” And I get it. Stories are how humans test-drive identities.

From up there, I realized fiction is a kind of training simulator for the heart. We practice empathy on characters; we borrow courage from them. If Spencer Reid is your reference point, the name carries an aura of intelligence and depth.

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Other entertainment appearances “Reid” pops up frequently as: - A last name for characters - A first name for “smart” or “steady” archetypes - A modern, slightly preppy signal in scripts

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What about songs titled “Reid”? **There aren’t many widely known, mainstream songs with “Reid” in the title** compared to names like “Jolene” or “Roxanne.” That can be a benefit: your child’s name won’t constantly be “the song.” Instead, it stays personal.

If you want a musical adjacent connection, you’ll find “Reid” in artist names (for example, Lou Reed is often misspelled as “Reid,” which is a reminder that the spelling you choose matters). But culturally, Reid’s strongest entertainment footprint is TV—especially Criminal Minds.

Are There Superheroes Named Reid?

Yes—Reid Richards is an iconic superhero name, most famously associated with Reed Richards (Mister Fantastic) of Marvel’s Fantastic Four, though the standard spelling in canon is “Reed.” Even when spelled differently, the sound “Reid/Reed” carries strong superhero-scientist energy.

Let’s be precise: Marvel’s stretchy genius is Reed Richards, not Reid. But parents don’t name babies in a vacuum; they name them in a world of sounds, associations, and echoes. And the echo here is powerful: the “Reed/Reid” sound is tied to intellect, invention, leadership, and exploration.

There’s something cosmic about that. The Fantastic Four are, at their core, a space-exposure origin story—radiation, transformation, the consequences of pushing past the known. That’s basically mythologized space history.

If you want a more direct “Reid” in pop culture hero-space: the name Reid often appears in games and comics as surnames, commanders, or scientists—roles that orbit heroism even when they aren’t capes-and-masks.

What Is the Spiritual Meaning of Reid?

Spiritually, Reid is often associated with vitality, individuality, and grounded confidence—fitting its “red” meaning. In numerology, Reid is commonly analyzed as a name that emphasizes initiative and independence (though results vary slightly by system), and symbolically it aligns with root-chakra themes of stability and life force.

Now, I’m a scientist by training, so I hold spirituality with a careful hand: I don’t treat it as physics. But I also don’t dismiss it—because meaning is a form of fuel.

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Color symbolism: red as life force Because *reid name meaning* ties to “red-haired,” the color red becomes a natural symbolic layer: - **Courage and action** - **Warmth and protection** - **Embodiment and presence** - **The “root” of things**—home, safety, belonging

In chakra traditions, red corresponds to the root chakra (Muladhara), associated with grounding and security. If you’re naming a child, that symbolism is quietly beautiful: a name that says, “You belong here.”

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Numerology (a practical, parent-friendly take) Using common Pythagorean numerology mappings, “Reid” is frequently interpreted around themes of: - **Self-direction** - **Mental sharpness** - **Adaptability** - **Quiet leadership**

Different numerologists may calculate slightly different totals depending on method, but the consistent feel is: Reid reads as capable.

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My astronaut’s spiritual interpretation From up there, I realized the most spiritual thing about a human is how we keep choosing love on a fragile planet. Reid, to me, is a name with **heat**—not destructive heat, but hearth heat. The kind you build a life around.

What Scientists Are Named Reid?

Notable scientists and science-adjacent figures named Reid include Dr. Reid Wiseman (NASA astronaut, engineer, and mission commander) and other researchers with Reid as a surname across disciplines. As a first name, Reid often appears among engineers, physicians, and academics in English-speaking countries.

Let’s talk about the one that makes my astronaut heart beat a little faster:

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Reid Wiseman **Reid Wiseman** is a NASA astronaut who flew on Expedition 40/41 to the International Space Station and later served as **Chief of the Astronaut Office** (and has been named commander for Artemis II). He’s an engineer by training, and he’s part of the generation shaping what comes next for human spaceflight.

If you want a science-forward association for the reid baby name, this is a strong one: Reid isn’t just a soft-sounding name. It belongs on a flight plan.

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“Reid” in the sciences more broadly You’ll find many Reids in: - Medicine and surgery - Environmental science - Computer science - Physics and engineering

It’s not always a headline name, but it’s a common presence in serious rooms—conference panels, lab teams, and mission control back rows where the real work gets done.

How Is Reid Used Around the World?

Reid is most common in Scotland and other English-speaking countries, and it travels well internationally because it’s short and easy to pronounce. Variations and near-equivalents appear in multiple languages, though the “red-haired” meaning is most directly tied to Scottish/Scots usage.

If you’re looking for “Reid meaning in different languages,” here’s the clearest way to think about it: the name is Scottish, but the idea (“red”) exists everywhere.

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Language connections to the meaning “red” - **English:** red - **Scottish/Scots:** reid (as a word for red) - **Spanish:** rojo / roja - **French:** rouge - **Italian:** rosso / rossa - **German:** rot - **Irish Gaelic:** dearg (often used in surnames and descriptors) - **Scottish Gaelic:** dearg (similarly “red”)

Those aren’t “Reid” translations as a name, but they are meaning-equivalents. If you’re a multilingual family, you can treat Reid as the anchor and let nicknames or middle names reflect the “red” meaning in another language.

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Spelling and pronunciation internationally Reid is typically pronounced **“Reed.”** In many accents, it’s indistinguishable from “Reed,” which can be either a perk (easy) or a mild annoyance (spelling corrections). If you live globally or travel often, Reid’s simplicity helps—four letters, no tricky sounds.

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Popularity by year (what parents want to know) **Reid has trended upward in the U.S. over the past few decades**, particularly in the 2000s and 2010s, aligning with the rise of short, surname-style boys’ names. Exact rank shifts year-to-year, but the broader pattern is: it’s not a flash-in-the-pan; it’s a **steady climber** with staying power.

(If you want, tell me your country/state, and I can help interpret the trend using the latest available official statistics in that region.)

Should You Name Your Baby Reid?

Yes—if you want a name that’s simple, strong, culturally rooted, and modern without being trendy, Reid is an excellent choice. It’s easy to say, hard to misunderstand, and carries a warm, vivid meaning that can grow with your child.

Here’s my personal, boots-off, helmet-unlatched perspective.

I’ve watched sunrises happen every 90 minutes in orbit. I’ve seen lightning storms flicker inside clouds like neurons firing. And I’ve seen how small Earth looks—how every family story, every baby name, every hope you whisper into the dark is happening on a thin, bright shell of life.

From up there, I realized legacy isn’t about being remembered by strangers. It’s about being felt by the people who come after you.

Reid gives a child: - A heritage thread (Scottish roots, a real etymology) - A vivid meaning (red-haired, ember-bright, unmistakable) - A modern silhouette (short, clean, confident) - Room to become (artist, athlete, scientist, storyteller—Reid fits)

And maybe this is the most important part: Reid doesn’t try too hard. It doesn’t demand a personality. It leaves space for one to form. That’s a gift.

There’s something cosmic about naming a new human—like you’re sending a tiny probe into the future with a message attached. If you choose Reid, the message reads, to me, like this:

Be bright. Be brave. Be unmistakably yourself. And wherever you go—remember you came from a world that loved you enough to choose your name with care.