Craig Boy

Popularity: #836 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: krayg //kreɪɡ//

Origin: Scottish; Gaelic

Meaning: Scottish: rocky; Gaelic: crag

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Craig originates from the Scottish Gaelic word "creag," meaning "rock" or "cliff." This etymology reflects the geographical features of Scotland, where the name was likely first used to denote someone who lived near a prominent rock or cliff. The name entered the English language through the Scots, particularly during the Middle Ages, as the Gaelic language and culture began to influence the surrounding regions.

The transition into English was facilitated by the Norman influence in Scotland and the subsequent integration of Gaelic names into English-speaking communities. Historically, the name Craig has been borne by various notable figures, particularly in Scotland.

One significant milestone is the use of the name in the 12th century, when it became associated with several Scottish clans, particularly the Clan Craig, which played a role in the feudal system of the time. The name also appears in various historical documents and literature, reflecting its longstanding presence in Scottish culture.

Additionally, the name Craig is mentioned in the context of Scottish nobility and land ownership, further embedding it in the historical narrative of Scotland. Culturally, the name Craig carries connotations of strength and stability, resonating with its literal meaning of "rock." This symbolism has contributed to its endurance as a given name over the centuries.

The name has also inspired various diminutive forms, although these are less commonly noted in historical texts. Overall, Craig reflects a deep connection to the Scottish landscape and heritage, embodying both a physical and cultural identity that has persisted through time.

Famous people named Craig

In this section, you will find notable people named Craig. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Craig who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Craig who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Craig Ferguson is a comedian and actor best known for The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, The Drew Carey Show, and How to Train Your Dragon.

Craig David is a singer and songwriter best known for Fill Me In, 7 Days, and Walking Away.

Craig T. Nelson is an actor best known for Coach, Poltergeist, and The Incredibles.

Craig Robinson is an actor and comedian best known for The Office, Hot Tub Time Machine, and This Is the End.

Craig McCracken is an animator and creator best known for The Powerpuff Girls, Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, and Wander Over Yonder.

Craig Sager was a sports broadcaster best known for his work with TNT and his colorful suits.

Craig Venter is a biotechnologist best known for being one of the first to sequence the human genome and founding the J. Craig Venter Institute.

Fictional characters named Craig

The following list of fictional characters named Craig is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Craig is a fictional character from the animated television series Craig of the Creek. He is a young boy who embarks on adventures with his friends in a neighborhood creek.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Craig, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Craig. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Craig was first seen in the United States in 1881.

Craig has ranked as high as #79 nationally, which occurred in 1960, and has been most popular in California, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan.

In the past 5 years the name Craig has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Craig is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Craig was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Craig.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 102 102 0
2024 88 88 0
2023 115 115 0
2022 121 121 0
2021 125 125 0
2020 149 149 0
2019 205 205 0
2018 161 161 0
2017 210 210 0
2016 238 238 0
2015 237 237 0
2014 228 228 0
2013 268 268 0
2012 291 291 0
2011 272 272 0
2010 362 362 0
2009 368 368 0
2008 428 428 0
2007 471 471 0
2006 463 463 0
2005 504 504 0
2004 523 523 0
2003 607 607 0
2002 689 689 0
2001 682 682 0
2000 808 808 0
1999 854 854 0
1998 880 880 0
1997 1,098 1,098 0
1996 1,203 1,198 5
1995 1,360 1,355 5
1994 1,507 1,507 0
1993 1,837 1,837 0
1992 2,075 2,070 5
1991 2,405 2,399 6
1990 2,921 2,907 14
1989 3,167 3,155 12
1988 3,329 3,306 23
1987 3,389 3,364 25
1986 3,948 3,926 22
1985 3,971 3,952 19
1984 3,985 3,959 26
1983 4,112 4,084 28
1982 4,037 4,018 19
1981 4,122 4,097 25
1980 4,251 4,234 17
1979 4,050 4,029 21
1978 4,489 4,472 17
1977 4,586 4,560 26
1976 4,759 4,732 27
1975 5,124 5,110 14
1974 5,560 5,539 21
1973 6,326 6,295 31
1972 6,768 6,729 39
1971 7,992 7,957 35
1970 9,410 9,364 46
1969 8,815 8,783 32
1968 7,896 7,858 38
1967 7,338 7,311 27
1966 7,754 7,729 25
1965 7,896 7,877 19
1964 7,772 7,752 20
1963 7,919 7,899 20
1962 8,571 8,544 27
1961 10,259 10,235 24
1960 10,744 10,724 20
1959 9,961 9,933 28
1958 7,292 7,272 20
1957 7,091 7,069 22
1956 7,431 7,422 9
1955 7,467 7,448 19
1954 7,188 7,180 8
1953 6,470 6,459 11
1952 6,205 6,187 18
1951 5,637 5,623 14
1950 4,900 4,888 12
1949 4,339 4,328 11
1948 3,995 3,985 10
1947 3,652 3,640 12
1946 2,480 2,471 9
1945 1,604 1,597 7
1944 1,321 1,321 0
1943 1,139 1,132 7
1942 897 892 5
1941 539 539 0
1940 384 384 0
1939 348 348 0
1938 321 321 0
1937 330 330 0
1936 205 205 0
1935 170 170 0
1934 138 138 0
1933 111 111 0
1932 106 106 0
1931 112 112 0
1930 105 105 0
1929 106 106 0
1928 85 85 0
1927 102 102 0
1926 80 80 0
1925 97 97 0
1924 87 87 0
1923 112 112 0
1922 81 81 0
1921 80 80 0
1920 82 77 5
1919 57 57 0
1918 94 89 5
1917 59 59 0
1916 57 57 0
1915 72 72 0
1914 38 38 0
1913 37 37 0
1912 26 26 0
1911 11 11 0
1910 8 8 0
1909 12 12 0
1908 10 10 0
1907 8 8 0
1906 16 16 0
1904 5 5 0
1903 7 7 0
1902 5 5 0
1901 6 6 0
1900 9 9 0
1899 5 5 0
1896 5 5 0
1894 8 8 0
1892 5 5 0
1890 7 7 0
1888 7 7 0
1886 5 5 0
1881 5 5 0

Top States for Craig (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
NY 10
24%
TX 7
17%
FL 7
17%
PA 6
15%
MI 6
15%
NC 5
12%