Craig in Chinese
Craig in Chinese is 克雷格 (Kè Léi Gé).
- Origin
- Scottish
- Meaning
- rock, crag
Etymologically, Craig is Scottish and is commonly glossed as "rock, crag". It first shows up in US Social Security records in 1881 and peaked in 1960.
3 ways to write Craig
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
克雷格
Kè Léi Gé
The standard transliteration of Craig: 克 (kè, "to overcome; gram"), 雷 (léi, "thunder"), 格 (gé, "pattern, standard"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
To fit Mandarin syllable rules, the sounds are broken into 3 characters: 克 kè + 雷 léi + 格 gé. The tone contour is 4-2-2 (falling, rising, rising).
Character breakdown
30 strokes total (simplified)- 克
kè
Tone 4 · 7 strokes (simplified)
to overcome; gram
- 雷
léi
Tone 2 · 13 strokes (simplified)
thunder
- 格
gé
Tone 2 · 10 strokes (simplified)
pattern, standard
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
瑾瑜
Jǐn Yú
Inspired by "rock, crag": 瑾 (jǐn, "fine jade") + 瑜 (yú, "fine jade; excellence"), expressing precious stones and steadfastness.
Why these characters?
Because Craig is linked to "rock", the name leads with 瑾 (fine jade); 瑜 (fine jade; excellence) gives it a natural given-name finish.
Character breakdown
28 strokes total (simplified)- 瑾
jǐn
Tone 3 · 15 strokes (simplified)
fine jade
- 瑜
yú
Tone 2 · 13 strokes (simplified)
fine jade; excellence
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
克玉
Kè Yù
克 (kè, "to overcome; gram") + 玉 (yù, "jade"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
It keeps 克 (kè), the same opening character as the transliteration 克雷格, for the "craig" sound, and replaces the rest with 玉 ("jade") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
12 strokes total (simplified)- 克
kè
Tone 4 · 7 strokes (simplified)
to overcome; gram
- 玉
yù
Tone 4 · 5 strokes (simplified)
jade
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 298,571 boys named Craig since 1881, with the high point in 1960 (10,718 births) and the busiest decade being the 1960s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #117 to #983 among boys.
- Peak year
- 1960
- Peak decade
- 1960s
- First year
- 1881
- Total since 1880
- 298,571
More About Craig in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Craig offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Craig, you'll find options that work for you.
If you're exploring Chinese names for boys, you might also be interested in Edwin in Chinese, Giovanni in Chinese, and Curtis in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Elias in Chinese, Sergio in Chinese, and Cesar in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Craig, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Craig to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
What is Craig in Chinese characters?
克雷格 (Kè Léi Gé), identical in simplified and traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
Is there a Chinese name for Craig with real meaning?
Try 瑾瑜 (Jǐn Yú): fine jade + fine jade; excellence, inspired by "rock, crag". For something that still sounds like Craig, 克玉 (Kè Yù) is a middle ground.
Does Craig change in traditional Chinese?
No. 克雷格 uses only characters that are the same in both scripts, so one design works everywhere.