Kraig first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Kraig has been for the last 46 years (from 1975 to 2020) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Kraig

A masculine form of the Scottish surname Craig, derived from the Gaelic word 'creag' meaning "rock".

Popularity of Kraig by gender

Based on the last 46 years of data, Kraig is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2020, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Kraig.

YearMale CountFemale Count
202060
201980
201860
201770
201680
201450
2012130
2011140
201090
2009140
2008110
2007160
2006210
2005180
2004220
2003230
2002260
2001200
2000290
1999380
1998430
1997460
1996640
1995600
1994680
1993620
1992940
1991890
19901160
1989980
19881330
19871200
19861160
19851050
19841100
1983960
19821050
1981870
1980890
19791030
1978900
1977810
1976930
19751100

The history of the first name Kraig

The name Kraig is a modern variant of the Scottish name Craig, which is derived from the Gaelic word "creag," meaning "rock" or "crag." This name has its origins in the rugged landscape of Scotland, where rocky crags and outcroppings are a prominent feature of the terrain.

The earliest recorded use of the name Craig dates back to the 12th century in Scotland. It was initially used as a surname, often given to families who lived near or owned land with prominent rocky features. Over time, it transitioned into a given name as well.

One of the earliest documented individuals with the name Craig was Sir William Craig, a Scottish knight who lived in the late 13th century. He was known for his bravery and loyalty to King Robert the Bruce during the Scottish Wars of Independence against England.

Another notable figure was John Craig, a 16th-century Scottish minister and religious reformer. He played a significant role in the establishment of Presbyterianism in Scotland and was a close associate of John Knox, the leader of the Scottish Reformation.

In the 17th century, Sir Thomas Craig, a Scottish jurist and writer, made significant contributions to the development of Scottish law. His work, "Jus Feudale," published in 1655, became an influential treatise on feudal law in Scotland.

Moving into the 18th century, James Craig was a renowned Scottish architect responsible for designing the layout of Edinburgh's New Town. His plan, which incorporated elements of the Enlightenment ideals of order and symmetry, remains a landmark of urban planning.

In more recent history, Daniel Defoe, the author of "Robinson Crusoe," used the name Craig as a character in his 1720 novel, "The Life and Strange Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe." The character, a Scottish sailor named Alexander Selkirk, was stranded on a deserted island and served as the inspiration for Defoe's famous work.

While the name Kraig is a modern variation, it retains the Scottish heritage and connection to the rugged landscape that has defined the name Craig throughout its history.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Kraig was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Kraig, please contact us.

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