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Cru

Boy name · 3 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Cru: 3 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 3 births in 2023.

Of Gaelic origin, Cru is a short, sturdy name that likely derives from the Scottish Gaelic *cru* meaning 'hard, tough, or firm', echoing a sense of resilience and strength. It may also relate to the Old Irish *cru* meaning 'blood' or 'red', suggesting a deeper, perhaps more visceral connection. While the name is rare in modern times, its most famous bearer is the legendary Cruachan, a figure from Irish mythology associated with the cave of Cruachan, a gateway to the underworld. There are no major places directly named after a bearer, but the root *cru* appears in Scottish place-names like Cruachan (a mountain) and Cruit (a harp-shaped island). A notable variant is the fuller form *Cruadh*, sometimes used as a personal name in old Scottish clans.