Raven

How to say it

ˈreɪ.vən

What it means

An English bird name from the raven (Old English hræfn), the glossy black bird of intelligence and mystery.

Raven is a bird name from the Old English hræfn, the large, clever, glossy-black bird woven through myth as a messenger and trickster. As a given name it carries dark, striking beauty, and it rose in the 1990s, helped by actress Raven-Symoné. It belongs with the other bird names like Wren, and reads bold and a little gothic. Rae is a soft short.

How to spell Raven

The standard spelling is Raven. Common variants include Ravenna, Rayven, Ravyn, but Raven is the most widely used form.

Heads-up notes

• Pop culture

  Raven-Symoné of That's So Raven; the brooding Raven of Teen Titans.

Who's worn it

• Raven-Symoné American actress and singer

Spelling variants

• Ravenna
• Rayven
• Ravyn

Names with the same feeling

• Wren Wren bird
• Ember Glowing coal
• Willow Willow tree
• Nova New, bright star
• Iris Rainbow

See Raven from another angle

Common questions

What does the name Raven mean?

An English bird name from the raven (Old English hræfn), the glossy black bird of intelligence and mystery.

What does Raven mean in English?

In English, Raven means "The raven." Raven is a bird name from the Old English hræfn, the large, clever, glossy-black bird woven through myth as a messenger and trickster. As a given name it carries dark, striking beauty, and it rose in the 1990s, helped by actress Raven-Symoné. It belongs with the other bird names like Wren, and reads bold and a little gothic. Rae is a soft short.

How do you pronounce Raven?

Raven is pronounced ˈreɪ.vən. Say it as RA-ven, with the stress on the "ra" syllable.

How do you spell Raven?

The standard spelling is Raven. Common spelling variants include Ravenna, Rayven, Ravyn.

Is Raven a boy or girl name?

Raven is traditionally a feminine name.

How popular is the name Raven?

Raven ranked #404 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.