Boy · 52nd of 10,718
Craig
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
300,534
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1960
Peak Popularity Year
10,740
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Craig stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Craig is a name of Scottish Gaelic origin, meaning 'rock' or 'cliff.' It has evolved from the word 'creag' through Middle English into its modern form. The name is associated with strength and reliability, and it has no biblical relevance. It gained popularity in Scotland during the Middle Ages and continues to be used widely today.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/kreɪɡ/
Origin
Scottish Gaelic
Etymology
The name Craig is derived from the Scottish Gaelic word 'creag,' which means 'rock' or 'cliff.' It reflects the rugged landscape of Scotland.
Meaning
rock, cliff
Language Evolution
Creag (Scottish Gaelic), Craig (Middle English), Craig (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name Craig gained popularity in Scotland during the Middle Ages and has been used as both a first name and a surname.
Variants & Derivatives
Kraig, Kreg, Cray
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Craig is perceived as a strong and traditional name, often associated with reliability and stability.
Famous People
Craig David (singer), Craig Ferguson (comedian), Craig T. Nelson (actor)
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 10,740 peak births in 1960
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Iowa
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 6 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 737th of 7545 | 1,239 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 270th of 6773 | 8,002 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 53rd of 7552 | 129,051 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 52nd of 10718 | 102,594 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 111th of 16616 | 47,140 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 451st of 24088 | 9,299 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1118th of 23106 | 2,141 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 7989th of 9107 | 10 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 6852nd of 9204 | 19 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 2850th of 12526 | 314 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 2723rd of 19264 | 435 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 5627th of 27321 | 234 |