Craven
A boy's name of Old English origin with 366 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Craven is a boy's baby name of Old English origin, a transferred surname from the historic region of Craven in Yorkshire, England — the name possibly derived from the Celtic word meaning 'garlic country' or a related topographic feature.
Craven has a bold, slightly dangerous sound that works surprisingly well as a given name. It carries the rugged quality of old English place-name surnames, and despite its dictionary meaning of 'cowardly,' as a proper name it simply sounds strong and distinctive.
EtymologyShow more
Craven is cataloged under the Old English naming tradition. Names from the Old English tradition carry linguistic and cultural patterns that shape their sound, structure, and associations.
In the U.S., Craven has been recorded as a boy's name since 1916, with 366 total births. Browse the Old English names hub on this site to explore the broader family.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Craven has 52+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1916.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 36 | #10001 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 49 | #7848 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 6 | #7602 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 10 | #7114 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 18 | #5066 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 25 | #3747 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 53 | #3187 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 48 | #3282 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 38 | #3359 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 70 | #3316 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 13 | #3605 | — |
The Story of Craven
A Baby Boomer name
Peaking in 1956, Craven is a timeless Baby Boomer name. Boys named Craven are most likely born between 1946 and 1966.
How rare is Craven?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Craven is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1916, peaked in the 1920s with 70 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Craven by the numbers
- Would fill 8 school buses
- Meeting one Craven per day would take 1 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(52 years, 1916–2016)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 7 | #9878 |
| 2014 | 8 | #8936 |
| 2013 | 5 | #12518 |
| 2012 | 10 | #7658 |
| 2010 | 6 | #11015 |
| 2009 | 11 | #7316 |
| 2008 | 10 | #7802 |
| 2007 | 12 | #6703 |
| 2006 | 7 | #9763 |
| 2004 | 9 | #7654 |
| 1992 | 6 | #7602 |
| 1988 | 5 | #7496 |
| 1985 | 5 | #6732 |
| 1979 | 7 | #4937 |
| 1976 | 5 | #5765 |
| 1971 | 6 | #4496 |
| 1969 | 5 | #4511 |
| 1963 | 7 | #3372 |
| 1962 | 7 | #3370 |
| 1960 | 6 | #3736 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Craven a boy's or girl's name?
When was Craven most popular?
How popular is the name Craven?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1916–2016