Raven
Raven is a unisex name of English origin meaning “raven bird, dark-haired.” It ranked #404 in the United States in 2025.
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how do you pronounce Raven?
RAY-ven
where does the name Raven come from?
An English given name taken from the bird, more often given to girls than boys.
The raven is revered in Norse mythology as Odin's messengers (Huginn and Muninn) and in Native American traditions as a trickster creator. Edgar Allan Poe's poem 'The Raven' added literary darkness. It bridges nature and gothic aesthetics.
how popular is this name?
Raven has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 49 years since 1977. It peaked at #139 in 1993, and ranked #404 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #404 |
| 2024 | #386 |
| 2023 | #360 |
| 2022 | #408 |
| 2021 | #407 |
| 2020 | #417 |
| 2019 | #425 |
| 2018 | #413 |
| 2017 | #443 |
| 2016 | #488 |
| 2010 | #600 |
| 2000 | #215 |
| 1993 | #139 |
| 1990 | #166 |
| 1980 | #499 |
| 1977 | #578 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Raven fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Raven
Raven has ranked among the top 1,000 names for baby girls in the United States every year since 1977.
who are famous people named Raven?
- Raven-Symone (American actress and singer)
- The Raven (Edgar Allan Poe poem)
- Raven (Teen Titans character)
what names are similar to Raven?
what names go well with Raven?
Sibling names that share Raven's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Raven
What does the name Raven mean?
Raven means “raven bird, dark-haired”.
What is the origin of the name Raven?
Raven comes from the English naming tradition.
How popular is the name Raven?
Raven ranked #404 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 1993, at #139, and it has spent 49 years in the top 1,000 since 1977.
Is Raven a boy or girl name?
Raven is a unisex name, used for both boys and girls.
How do you pronounce Raven?
Raven is pronounced RAY-ven, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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