NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Crewe

A name derived from the Old English word "crēac", meaning "creek" or "brook".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Crewe is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Crewe popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5119, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2015, with 4 births.

This profile covers 11 England and Wales registrations across 3 recorded years from 2015 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 11 living people in the UK are called Crewe. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Crewe ranked #5119 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2015, when 4 boys were registered as Crewe.
  • About 11 living people in the UK are estimated to have Crewe as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#5119

2024

Births in 2024

3

Latest year

Peak year

2015

4 births

Estimated living

11

2026

Meaning

What does Crewe mean?

The name Crewe has its origins in England, stemming from the Old English word "crū," which means "pen" or "enclosure." It's believed to have emerged as a place name in reference to settlements or towns located near a pen or enclosure for livestock. The earliest recorded use of the name Crewe dates back to the 11th century, when it appeared in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive land survey commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086.

One of the earliest notable individuals with the name Crewe was Sir Randolph Crewe, born around 1558. He was an English lawyer and politician who served as Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench from 1624 to 1627. His tenure was marked by his opposition to the Duke of Buckingham's unpopular policies, which ultimately led to his dismissal from office.

In the 17th century, another significant figure bearing the name Crewe was Nathaniel Crewe, born in 1633. He was an English clergyman and Bishop of Durham from 1671 until his death in 1722. Crewe was known for his involvement in the Glorious Revolution of 1688, which saw the overthrow of King James II and the ascension of William III and Mary II to the English throne.

Moving forward to the 18th century, John Crewe, born in 1742, was a prominent English landowner and politician. He served as a Member of Parliament for various constituencies, including Cheshire and Newcastle-under-Lyme, from 1768 to 1828. Crewe played a significant role in the development of the town of Crewe, which was named after his family.

In the 19th century, Robert Crewe-Milnes, 1st Marquess of Crewe, born in 1858, was a notable figure. He served as Lord President of the Council and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland during the early 20th century. Crewe-Milnes was also a prominent advocate for education and the arts, serving as Chancellor of the Universities of London and Sheffield.

Another historical figure with the name Crewe was Sir Charles Crewe, born in 1846. He was a British diplomat and colonial administrator who served as the Governor of Newfoundland from 1904 to 1909. Crewe played a pivotal role in the economic and political development of the colony during his tenure.

While the name Crewe has its roots in England, it has since spread to various parts of the world, including North America and Australia, carried by individuals of English descent. Throughout its history, the name has been associated with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including lawyers, clergymen, politicians, and administrators, all leaving their mark on the annals of history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Crewe over time

The chart below shows babies named Crewe registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2015 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Crewe, the clearest high point is 2015. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 4 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Crewe
01234201520192024

Decades

Crewe by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Crewe was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #4613 7 2
2010s #3908 4 1

Related

Names similar to Crewe

FAQ

Crewe: questions and answers

How popular is the name Crewe in the UK right now?

In 2024, Crewe was ranked #5119 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Crewe most popular?

The peak year on record was 2015, with 4 babies registered as Crewe in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Crewe?

A name derived from the Old English word "crēac", meaning "creek" or "brook".

How many people are called Crewe in the UK?

A total of 11 babies have been registered as Crewe across the 3 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.