Criag
A boy's name of Scottish Gaelic origin with 308 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
At 5 letters and one syllable, Criag hits the middle ground most parents look for: long enough to feel complete, short enough for everyday use. It has been used as a boy's name in the U.S. since 1956, with 308 total recorded births.
Criag is not in the current top 1,000, which means your child is unlikely to share the name with a classmate — a plus for parents who value distinctiveness.
Criag is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Criag is a boy's baby name of Scottish Gaelic origin, a variant spelling — likely a transposition of letters — of Craig, from the Scottish Gaelic creag meaning 'rock, crag' — a rugged outcropping of stone. Craig has been used as both a surname and given name in Scotland and among Scottish diaspora communities worldwide.
Criag preserves the solid, rugged character of Craig in an unusual orthographic form. Craig carries the timeless strength of Scottish geology — stone that has endured wind and rain and time. It was at its most popular in America during the 1950s through 1970s.
EtymologyShow more
The ending of a name often carries more etymological information than the beginning. Criag'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. Criag follows that masculine pattern.
Explore the ending-based name pages on this site to find names that share Criag'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
Criag has 32+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1956.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 11 | #7895 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 117 | #4062 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 111 | #3372 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 55 | #3552 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 14 | #3460 | — |
The Story of Criag
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1985, Criag is a Millennial-era classic. Boys named Criag are most likely born between 1975 and 1991.
How rare is Criag?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Criag is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1956, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 1980s with 117 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Criag by the numbers
- Would fill 6 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(32 years, 1956–1991)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 5 | #8436 |
| 1990 | 6 | #7354 |
| 1989 | 6 | #7141 |
| 1988 | 11 | #4226 |
| 1987 | 16 | #3093 |
| 1986 | 12 | #3688 |
| 1985 | 19 | #2617 |
| 1984 | 11 | #3748 |
| 1983 | 11 | #3664 |
| 1982 | 12 | #3524 |
| 1981 | 13 | #3254 |
| 1980 | 6 | #5665 |
| 1979 | 10 | #3858 |
| 1978 | 8 | #4231 |
| 1977 | 10 | #3657 |
| 1976 | 11 | #3309 |
| 1975 | 12 | #3107 |
| 1974 | 6 | #4731 |
| 1973 | 10 | #3267 |
| 1972 | 13 | #2688 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Criag a boy's or girl's name?
When was Criag most popular?
How popular is the name Criag?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1956–1991