Raven
How to say it: RAY-vun · /ˈreɪvən/
From Old English 'hraefn', referring to the large black bird; associated with mystery and Norse mythology.
Raven was the 363rd most popular girls’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 771 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1990s, its births are up about 10% in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #355 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among girls’ names, 2025 | #363 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 771 |
| Share of births | 1 in 3,700 |
| Peak decade | 1990s |
| Change over 10 years | +10% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #355 |
| In France, 2025 | #1,126 among girls’ names, 30 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
After peaking in the 1990s, Raven settled into steady but quieter use. It rests well below that high now, though the next few years should bring a lift.
What goes with it
Soft and breathy with a nature spirit and a creative edge. Wren would sit nicely alongside it, and Rave works as a short form.
Nicknames
- Rave
Honouring a Raven in the family
- Fiachcross_gender
- Rowenequivalent
- Ravynspelling
- Rayvenspelling
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Raven is about 1 in 155.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, French.
In France: #1,126 for girls in 2025.
England and Wales: #449.
Famous people named Raven
- Raven Goodwin (born 1992)American actress
- Raven De La Croix (born 1947)American actress
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
Good to know
- Founding member of the Teen Titans (DC Comics); daughter of the demon Trigon; star of Cartoon Network series
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