"rocky cliff, crag"
Origin: Scottish Gaelic (creag)
Language: English
Craig
Pronunciation: [ kr-AYG ]
Does Craig flow with your last name?
A grounded Scottish name meaning solid as a rock
Scottish
Welsh
British
American
Australian
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Strong
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Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"rocky outcropping, cliff dweller"
Origin: Welsh (graig)
Language: Welsh
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Things to Know About This Name
- Craig is associated with the 'Craig meme' (a plain, generic man stereotype in internet culture); minor association
The Story of Craig
Craig comes directly from the Scottish Gaelic 'creag,' meaning a rock or rocky cliff — a word still used in Scottish English today for a crag or cliff face. It began as a surname for people who lived near rocky outcroppings, a common feature of the Scottish Highlands. As a given name it spread widely through the 20th century across English-speaking countries.
Craig peaked in popularity in English-speaking countries during the 1960s-1980s, particularly in Scotland, Australia, and North America. It is now considered a classic 'dad name' in millennial parlance, but carries a grounded, masculine charm.
In Scottish culture, Craig is deeply rooted in the landscape itself — the crags and cliffs of the Highlands. In American culture, Craig has been associated with reliability and straightforwardness.
Historical Record
Craig first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 275,801 babies have been named Craig in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Craig is past its peak , currently ranked #1,840 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- 'Crag' (from the same Gaelic root as Craig) remains in common English use to describe jagged cliff faces
- Daniel Craig is the longest-serving James Bond actor, giving the name renewed cool factor in the 2000s-2010s
Craig in Other Languages
Welsh
Graig
French
Craig
German
Craig
Scottish Gaelic
Creag
Popularity Over Time
#1,840
Current Rank
Peaked 1969
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Craig
C
Craig David
Musician
1981
British R&B singer-songwriter who broke through with 'Fill Me In' and remains a UK pop institution
D
Daniel Craig
Actor
1968
British actor who played James Bond from 2006-2021, redefining the character with psychological depth
C
Craig Ferguson
Entertainer
1962
Scottish-American comedian and former host of The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #1,840
- Total SSA Count
- 88
- Cultural Origins
- Scottish Welsh British American Australian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Nicknames
Cra
Cry
Crie
Crakins
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Craig
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Craig is also used as a girl name, ranked #68545.
View Craig as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Craig
What does the name Craig mean?
"rocky cliff, crag" (from Scottish Gaelic (creag)). "rocky outcropping, cliff dweller" (from Welsh (graig)). Craig comes directly from the Scottish Gaelic 'creag,' meaning a rock or rocky cliff — a word still used in Scottish English today for a crag or cliff face. It began as a surname for people who lived near rocky outcroppings, a common feature of the Scottish Highlands. As a given name it spread widely through the 20th century across English-speaking countries.
What is the origin of the name Craig?
Craig has Scottish Gaelic (creag), Welsh (graig), Scottish, Welsh, British, American, and Australian origins. In Scottish Gaelic (creag), it means "rocky cliff, crag". In Welsh (graig), it means "rocky outcropping, cliff dweller".
Is Craig a boy or girl name?
Craig is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1840. As a girl name, it is ranked #68545. Craig is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Craig?
Craig is pronounced kr-AYG.
How popular is the name Craig?
Craig is currently ranked #1840 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Craig?
Common nicknames for Craig include Cra, Cry, Crie, and Crakins.
What are good middle names for Craig?
Popular middle name pairings include Craig James, Craig Lee, Craig Anthony, Craig Michael, Craig Thomas, Craig David, and Craig Patrick.
What are good sibling names for Craig?
Names that pair well with Craig as siblings include Scott, Debra, Kevin, Donna, Duncan, Fiona, and Angus.
How many syllables does Craig have?
Craig has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Craig a common or rare name?
Craig is an uncommon name, ranked #1840 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Craig
Craig is a boy name with Scottish, Welsh, British, American, and Australian origins . The name means "rocky cliff, crag" in Scottish Gaelic (creag) .
Is Craig a boy or girl name? Craig is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,840 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #68,545. Craig is more commonly used as a boy name.
Craig is currently ranked #1,840 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Craig has 1 syllable and is pronounced kr-AYG, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Craig include Cra, Cry, Crie, and Crakins. 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