Unisex name · Old English
Raven
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: black birdRaven is a gender-neutral name that comes from Old English and means "black bird". It is used in English.
- Meaning
- Black bird
- Origin
- Old English
- Gender
- Unisex
- US rank
- #404 in 2025
Meaning and origin of Raven
As a gender-neutral name, Raven comes from Old English and means "black bird". It is used in English.
As a girl's name, Raven comes from Old English and means "the glossy black bird". It is used in English.
Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names
Raven on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Raven on 10 lists.
“The clever black corvid; No. 404 for US baby girls in 2025”
From Bird names, human names that are also birds
“A glossy black bird, clever and mysterious”
From Black cat names, black cat names for females
“A clever black bird of myth and poetry”
From Black dog names, the black dog names most people use
“A dark-winged name borrowed from Poe”
From Bat names, halloween bat names
“Dark, clever and a classic for a reason”
From Female demon hunter names, huntress names
“Black bird; Old English, a clever bird of myth”
From Gender neutral names, nature and word names for any gender
“The black bird; English. Clever, glossy and long linked to omens”
From Gothic names, names that mean dark, night or raven
“For a black cow with a shiny coat”
From Highland cattle names, highland cow names by coat color
“Glossy black, sleek and clever”
From Horse names, horse names by coat color and markings
“The glossy black bird; Old English. Linked with Odin's wisdom in Norse myth”
From Strong female names, badass girl names
How popular is Raven?
In 2025, 771 girls and 42 boys in the US were named Raven.
As a girl’s name
- US rank in 2025
- #404
- 771 babies, 480 per million girls
- Best rank
- #139 in 1993
- 2,285 babies that year
- Babies since 1941
- At least 44,920
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 0 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 0 per million |
| 1900s | 0 per million |
| 1910s | 0 per million |
| 1920s | 0 per million |
| 1930s | 0 per million |
| 1940s | 4 per million |
| 1950s | 3 per million |
| 1960s | 8 per million |
| 1970s | 77 per million |
| 1980s | 231 per million |
| 1990s | 1,028 per million |
| 2000s | 543 per million |
| 2010s | 356 per million |
| 2020s | 487 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #489 | #443 | #413 | #425 | #417 | #408 | #409 | #361 | #387 | #404 |
As a boy’s name
- US rank in 2025
- #2,973
- 42 babies, 25 per million boys
- Best rank
- #814 in 1999
- 188 babies that year
- Babies since 1921
- At least 3,333
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 0 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 0 per million |
| 1900s | 0 per million |
| 1910s | 0 per million |
| 1920s | 0 per million |
| 1930s | 0 per million |
| 1940s | 4 per million |
| 1950s | 2 per million |
| 1960s | 4 per million |
| 1970s | 8 per million |
| 1980s | 11 per million |
| 1990s | 58 per million |
| 2000s | 51 per million |
| 2010s | 21 per million |
| 2020s | 26 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #2,971 | #3,055 | #2,931 | #3,480 | #2,965 | #2,807 | #2,461 | #2,931 | #2,821 | #2,973 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.
Names spelled like Raven
One or two letters apart, but from a different root: they look alike without sharing a meaning.
Names with a similar meaning
- MelaniaBlack, dark (Greek, girl)
- MelanieBlack, dark (Greek, girl)
- AdhamBlack, dark (Arabic, boy)
- AsukaFlying bird (depends on characters) (Japanese, girl)
- BlakeFrom a surname meaning black or pale (Old English, unisex)
- CharnaBlack (Yiddish, girl)
- CiarBlack, dark (Irish Gaelic, unisex)
- EbonyBlack wood (English, girl)
- ErtuğrulHero, mythical bird of prey (Turkish, boy)
- FaigelBird (Yiddish, girl)
Middle names for Raven
Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a longer length, so the full name flows.
- AlexanderDefender of men (Greek, boy)
- CarltonSettlement of free peasants (Old English, boy)
- EdwardRich guardian (Old English, boy)
- GraysonSon of the steward (English, boy)
- HonorEsteem, dignity (Latin, girl)
- NathanielGod has given (Hebrew, boy)
- PeregrineTraveler, pilgrim (Latin, boy)
- SeraphinaFiery ones (Hebrew, girl)
More names from Old English
- EdgarWealthy spear (Old English, boy)
- EdithRich in war (Old English, girl)
- AlfredElf counsel (Old English, boy)
- EduardRich guardian (Old English, boy)
- StormTempest (Old English, unisex)
- AlfredoElf counsel (Old English, boy)
- AudreyNoble strength (Old English, girl)
- EduardoRich guardian (Old English, boy)
- GrahamFrom a surname from the place name Grantham, probably gravelly homestead (Old English, boy)
- HarperHarp player (Old English, unisex)
Raven: common questions
What does the name Raven mean?
Raven comes from Old English and means "black bird". It also has another origin: "the glossy black bird" from Old English.
Is Raven a boy or girl name?
Raven is used for both boys and girls. In 2025, 771 girls and 42 boys in the US were named Raven, according to Social Security Administration data.
Where does the name Raven come from?
Raven comes from Old English and means "black bird". Today it is used in English.
How popular is the name Raven?
Raven ranked #404 in the US in 2025, with 771 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
What names are similar to Raven?
Names spelled like Raven include Rayén, Ruben, Rafe, Rain and Ramin.
What middle names go with Raven?
Middle names that flow well with Raven include Alexander, Carlton, Edward, Grayson and Honor. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.