"dark, black-haired"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Raven
Pronunciation: [ r-AYV-uhn ]
Does Raven flow with your last name?
A dark, mythic nature name with ancient power
English
American
Norse
Bold
Earthy
Strong
Vintage
Literary
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Raven
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Meaning & Origin
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Things to Know About This Name
- More commonly used for girls in contemporary American culture
The Story of Raven
Raven comes from the Old English hraefn, referring to the large black corvid bird. Ravens have powerful mythological significance across many cultures: in Norse mythology, Odin kept two ravens named Huginn (Thought) and Muninn (Memory) who flew across the world to bring him information. In many Indigenous American traditions, Raven is a trickster creator figure.
Raven has been used as a given name for both girls and boys in America since the 1970s. It gained particular visibility as a girl's name through actress Raven-Symone, star of Disney's That's So Raven. For boys, it appeals to parents drawn to dark, nature-based names with mythological weight.
The raven appears in Edgar Allan Poe's iconic 1845 poem The Raven, one of the most famous poems in American literature. In Norse mythology, Odin's ravens symbolize wisdom and intelligence. Many Pacific Northwest Native nations have Raven as a central figure in their creation stories.
Historical Record
Raven first appeared in US Social Security records in 1952.
Over 3,226 babies have been named Raven in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Raven is past its peak , currently ranked #2,813 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Odin's ravens Huginn and Muninn appear throughout Norse mythology as symbols of wisdom
- Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven (1845) is one of the most recognized poems in American literary history
Raven in Other Languages
Norse
Hrafn
Welsh
Cigfran
German
Rabe
Old English
Hraefn
Popularity Over Time
#2,813
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1999
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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Compare Raven with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,813
- Total SSA Count
- 46
- Cultural Origins
- English American Norse
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Rave
Rav
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Raven
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Raven is also used as a girl name, ranked #388.
View Raven as a girl name →Similar Names
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"God has favored, grace of God"
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Biblical Hebrew origin
"strengthened by God"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Raven
What does the name Raven mean?
"dark, black-haired" (from Old English). Raven comes from the Old English hraefn, referring to the large black corvid bird. Ravens have powerful mythological significance across many cultures: in Norse mythology, Odin kept two ravens named Huginn (Thought) and Muninn (Memory) who flew across the world to bring him information. In many Indigenous American traditions, Raven is a trickster creator figure.
What is the origin of the name Raven?
Raven has Old English, English, American, and Norse origins. In Old English, it means "dark, black-haired".
Is Raven a boy or girl name?
Raven is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #2813. As a girl name, it is ranked #388. Raven is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Raven?
Raven is pronounced r-AYV-uhn.
How popular is the name Raven?
Raven is currently ranked #2813 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Raven?
Common nicknames for Raven include Rave and Rav.
What are good middle names for Raven?
Popular middle name pairings include Raven James, Raven Cole, Raven Alexander, Raven Knight, Raven Wolf, and Raven Lee.
What are good sibling names for Raven?
Names that pair well with Raven as siblings include Crow, Storm, Phoenix, Hawk, Onyx, and Sage.
How many syllables does Raven have?
Raven has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Raven a common or rare name?
Raven is an uncommon name, ranked #2813 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Raven
Raven is a boy name with English, American, and Norse origins . The name means "dark, black-haired" in Old English .
Is Raven a boy or girl name? Raven is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,813 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #388. Raven is more commonly used as a girl name.
Raven is currently ranked #2,813 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Raven has 2 syllables and is pronounced r-AYV-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Raven include Rave and Rav. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis