Craig is a unique and distinctive given name of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Scottish Gaelic word "creag," which means "rock" or "crag." The name Craig is often associated with its geographic significance, as it was originally used to describe someone who lived near a rocky cliff or crag.
The earliest known records of the name Craig date back to the 13th century in Scotland. It was initially used as a surname before being adopted as a given name. Some notable figures throughout history have borne the name Craig, including Sir John Craig, a Scottish mathematician and physicist who lived in the 17th century.
In modern times, the name Craig has gained popularity as a unisex given name, although it is still more commonly used for males. It is often shortened to Craigie or Craige, with some variations such as Graig or Graige also being used. The name Craig carries a strong and rugged connotation due to its association with rocks and cliffs, making it an appealing choice for parents looking for a unique and meaningful name for their child.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Craige has experienced varying levels of popularity over several decades in the United States. The earliest data available is from 1941, with a total of 5 babies named Craige born that year. The following years showed fluctuating numbers: there were 6 births in 1945, 5 in 1947, and then a peak of 9 births in 1948.
From 1949 onwards, the popularity of the name Craige continued to fluctuate but generally trended upwards. For instance, there were 16 births in 1951, which was a significant increase from previous years. This upward trend continued into the 1960s and peaked in 1969 with 17 births that year.
However, starting from the early 1970s, the popularity of the name Craige began to decline steadily. The highest number of births recorded in this decade was 18 in 1972, but by the end of the decade, it had decreased to just 6 births in both 1976 and 1977.
This downward trend continued into the 1980s and 1990s, with the highest number of births being 9 in 1987. The most recent data available is from 2005, which showed that only 5 babies were named Craige that year.
In total, over the period for which we have data (from 1941 to 2005), there were 371 babies named Craige born in the United States. These statistics illustrate how the popularity of the name Craige has changed over time, with peaks in the mid-20th century and a decline in recent decades.