Craig
Craig is a boy's name of Celtic origin.
Meaning
Rock or crag.
Origin and history
Craig is derived from the Scottish Gaelic word 'creag', meaning 'rock' or 'crag'. Historically a topographical surname for someone who lived near a prominent rock, it became a popular given name in the mid-20th century in the United States. Today, it remains a familiar, classic masculine name, though its usage has moderated significantly from its mid-century peak.
Popularity in the United States
299,616 babies in the United States have been named Craig since 1880. It ranks #122 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1268.
States where it is most popular
- CA (10.2 %)
- NY (8.3 %)
- PA (6.2 %)
- OH (6.2 %)
- MI (6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 17 |
| 1890-1900 | 30 |
| 1900-1910 | 78 |
| 1910-1920 | 454 |
| 1920-1930 | 907 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,946 |
| 1940-1950 | 20,289 |
| 1950-1960 | 69,481 |
| 1960-1970 | 84,712 |
| 1970-1980 | 58,787 |
| 1980-1990 | 38,095 |
| 1990-2000 | 16,105 |
| 2000-2010 | 5,543 |
| 2010-2019 | 2,472 |
| 2020-2029 | 700 |
Famous people named Craig
- Craig Craig T. Nelson: Actor
- Craig Ferguson: Comedian, Television Host
- Craig Robinson: Actor, Comedian
Fun facts
- Craig originally designated someone who lived near a steep, rugged rock face or cliff in Scotland.
- The name reached its highest popularity in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s, frequently ranking in the top 50 male names.