Raven is a unique and striking female given name of English origin. The name has gained popularity in recent years due to its association with the popular fantasy series "A Song of Ice and Fire" by George R.R. Martin, where Raven Targaryen is a prominent character.
The name Raven itself does not have a specific meaning or derivation from any language. It is simply a name that refers to the large black bird known as the raven. Ravens are intelligent and adaptable birds that are often associated with wisdom and mystique in various cultures throughout history.
Despite its lack of traditional meaning, the name Raven has become increasingly popular due to its distinctive sound and association with powerful female characters in popular culture. In addition to appearing in George R.R. Martin's series, Raven has also been used as a character name in other forms of media such as comic books and video games.
Overall, Raven is a unique and striking female given name that draws inspiration from the intelligence and adaptability of its namesake bird. While it may not have a traditional meaning or derivation, its popularity has grown due to its association with powerful characters in popular culture.
The name Raven has seen a varied trend of popularity over the past century in the United States, with notable fluctuations in its annual birth rates.
In the early to mid-20th century, the number of babies named Raven remained relatively low, with no more than nine births per year between 1921 and 1959. However, from 1960 onwards, we began to see a significant increase in popularity for this unique name.
The decade of the 1970s marked a turning point for Raven's popularity. The annual birth rates nearly doubled from 13 births in 1972 to 25 births in 1978, indicating that more parents were choosing this distinctive name for their daughters during this time period.
The trend of increasing popularity continued into the early 1980s, with the highest number of Raven births reaching 62 in 1990. This marked a substantial jump from the previous decade's averages and suggested that Raven was becoming an established and preferred choice among parents naming their daughters at this time.
The peak of Raven's popularity occurred between 1992 and 2003, with annual birth rates fluctuating between a high of 188 births in 1999 and a low of 137 births in 2003. During these years, Raven ranked among the top 500 most popular baby girl names in the United States.
After 2003, however, we begin to see a decline in Raven's popularity once again. Annual birth rates steadily decreased from 103 births in 2004 down to 33 births in 2019. Despite this decrease, Raven has managed to maintain some level of popularity throughout the past two decades, with annual birth rates remaining relatively consistent between 30 and 50 births per year.
More recently, there appears to be a slight resurgence in interest for the name Raven. Between 2020 and 2023, we have seen an increase in annual birth rates from 40 births in 2020 up to 57 births in 2022, with 42 births recorded so far in 2023.
In conclusion, while Raven's popularity has experienced peaks and valleys over the past century, it remains a name of distinction that continues to capture the attention of parents seeking unique options for their daughters. With nearly 3,250 babies named Raven born in the United States since 1921, this distinctive moniker holds a notable place among American baby names.