Raven

Pronunciation: [ r-AYV-uhn ]

Boy Name #2,813 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A dark, mythic nature name with ancient power

English American Norse

Bold Earthy Strong Vintage Literary

Meaning & Origin

"dark, black-haired"

Origin: Old English

Language: English

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.

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

Famous People Named Raven

Raven-Symone

Actor

1985

American actress, singer and TV host, known for The Cosby Show and That's So Raven

Raven (The Raven) Fictional

Other

The enigmatic bird in Edgar Allan Poe's 1845 poem, symbol of grief and despair

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

Pairs Well With

Raven James Raven Cole Raven Alexander Raven Knight Raven Wolf Raven Lee

Sibling Names

Crow Storm Phoenix Hawk Onyx Sage

Also a Girl Name

Raven is also used as a girl name, ranked #388.

View Raven as a girl name →

Similar Names

Evan Haven Raven Aven Davin Javen Heaven Hagen

Playground Safety

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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.