Crawford
Primarily a boy's name of Old English origin with 4,640 recorded births. Also given to 48 girls.
Meaning & Origin
An English and Scottish habitational surname from Old English derived from several different place names.
Crawford is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old English origin, from the habitational surname meaning 'ford of the crow.' It carries a classic, Americana gravitas — associated with Joan Crawford, and with the kind of distinguished surname names that project confidence and heritage.
EtymologyShow more
The ending of a name often carries more etymological information than the beginning. Crawford'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. Crawford follows that masculine pattern.
Explore the ending-based name pages on this site to find names that share Crawford'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
Crawford climbed 612 spots in the last 20 years — from #3169 to #2557.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 280 | #2428 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 512 | #2609 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 227 | #4161 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 179 | #3792 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 156 | #3156 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 148 | #2712 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 265 | #1590 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 405 | #1216 | — |
| 1940s | 436 | #1030 | — |
| 1930s | 459 | #967 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 643 | #847 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 551 | #698 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 147 | #659 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 118 | #585 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 114 | #578 | — |
The Story of Crawford
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1924, Crawford is a name steeped in history. Boys named Crawford are most likely born between 1914 and 1934.
How rare is Crawford?
Only about 1 in every 69,231 babies born in 2024 was named Crawford — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1880, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1920s with 643 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Crawford by the numbers
- Would fill 97 school buses
- Meeting one Crawford per day would take 12.7 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(144 years, 1880–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 52 | #2557 |
| 2023 | 52 | #2547 |
| 2022 | 63 | #2273 |
| 2021 | 54 | #2468 |
| 2020 | 59 | #2297 |
| 2019 | 69 | #2092 |
| 2018 | 70 | #2050 |
| 2017 | 51 | #2496 |
| 2016 | 57 | #2307 |
| 2015 | 63 | #2172 |
| 2014 | 61 | #2211 |
| 2013 | 36 | #3067 |
| 2012 | 42 | #2826 |
| 2011 | 33 | #3320 |
| 2010 | 30 | #3551 |
| 2009 | 22 | #4457 |
| 2008 | 33 | #3356 |
| 2007 | 27 | #3804 |
| 2006 | 19 | #4712 |
| 2005 | 18 | #4666 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Crawford as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Crawford has also been given to 48 girls in the U.S. since 2012.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Crawford a boy's or girl's name?
When was Crawford most popular?
How popular is the name Crawford?
Can Crawford be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1880–2024