Craig
Primarily a boy's name of Scottish Gaelic origin with 299,522 recorded births. Also given to 1,012 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A surname. A Scottish habitational surname from Scottish Gaelic from Scottish Gaelic creag, originally meaning someone who lived near a crag. An Irish surname of Hiberno-Norman origin, an anglicization of de Craig, de Creag (“of the crag”). An Irish surname, a variant anglicization of de Carraig (Carrick).
Craig is a boy's and girl's baby name of Scottish Gaelic origin, from the Scottish Gaelic creag meaning "crag" or "rocky cliff." Originally a topographic surname for someone who lived near a crag, Craig became a popular given name in Scotland and then across the English-speaking world in the 20th century.
Craig peaked in the U.S. in the 1960s and 1970s, sitting comfortably in the top 30. Actor Daniel Craig, who played James Bond from 2006 to 2021, gave the name a steely, modern glamour that will likely outlast the Bond franchise itself. It's a clean, confident name — one strong syllable, no frills.
EtymologyShow more
The ending of a name often carries more etymological information than the beginning. Craig's final sounds are sharp, distinct — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close. In English-language naming, masculine names frequently end on harder consonants or closed syllables, creating a sense of decisiveness and strength. Craig follows that masculine pattern.
Explore the ending-based name pages on this site to find names that share Craig's suffix pattern — names with similar endings often share a style and era, even when they come from different linguistic backgrounds.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Craig was #479 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #1831, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 597 | #1511 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 2,469 | #899 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 5,542 | #484 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 16,105 | #214 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 38,102 | #81 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 58,795 | #56 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 84,711 | #45 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 69,480 | #56 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 20,289 | #151 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 1,946 | #446 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 907 | #676 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 454 | #871 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 78 | #956 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 30 | #988 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 17 | #909 | — |
The Story of Craig
A Baby Boomer name
Peaking in 1960, Craig is a timeless Baby Boomer name. Boys named Craig are most likely born between 1950 and 1970.
How rare is Craig?
Only about 1 in every 40,909 babies born in 2024 was named Craig — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1881, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 1960s with 84,711 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Craig by the numbers
- Enough Craigs to fill 4.3 football stadiums
- More Craigs than the population of a small U.S. town
- Meeting one Craig per day would take 820.6 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(132 years, 1881–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 88 | #1831 |
| 2023 | 114 | #1537 |
| 2022 | 121 | #1498 |
| 2021 | 125 | #1442 |
| 2020 | 149 | #1245 |
| 2019 | 205 | #1013 |
| 2018 | 161 | #1180 |
| 2017 | 209 | #982 |
| 2016 | 237 | #909 |
| 2015 | 236 | #912 |
| 2014 | 228 | #931 |
| 2013 | 268 | #814 |
| 2012 | 291 | #778 |
| 2011 | 272 | #806 |
| 2010 | 362 | #664 |
| 2009 | 367 | #667 |
| 2008 | 428 | #589 |
| 2007 | 471 | #546 |
| 2006 | 463 | #547 |
| 2005 | 504 | #491 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Craig as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Craig has also been given to 1,012 girls in the U.S. since 1918.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Craig a boy's or girl's name?
When was Craig most popular?
How popular is the name Craig?
Can Craig be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1881–2024