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Gregory Name Meaning, Origins & History

Gregory

Pronunciation: GREG-uh-ree

Meaning Watchful, vigilant Origin Ancient Greek Gender Boy
BOYS RANK
#593
TREND
54
Peak Years
1962, 1957, 1963
Lowest Years
1880, 1884, 1885
Energy Archetype
Reflective & Analytical

Rank shows the name’s position among U.S. baby names for each gender in 2025. Trend shows how many places it rose or fell since 2024. Rank 1 is the most popular. Based on U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) data. Peak and lowest years are based on the number of boys named Gregory in the available records.

Fun Facts About the Name Gregory

  • An all-time favorite: U.S. records show 711,898 boys named Gregory from 1880 through 2025.
  • Decades of popularity: Gregory stayed in the U.S. top 100 for 52 consecutive years, from 1945 through 1996.
  • More than 714 thousand babies named Gregory: U.S. records list 714,759 babies given the name Gregory from 1880 through 2025. Even 2,861 girls received the name Gregory - about 1 girl for every 249 boys.

What Does the Name Gregory Mean?

Gregory comes from the Greek name Grēgorios (Γρηγόριος), which is derived from the Greek adjective grēgoros, "watchful," and the related verb grēgorein, "to watch" or "to be awake." Its literal sense is "watchful" or "alert." The name entered Latin as Gregorius and later passed into English. Christian writers sometimes linked the idea of watchfulness to spiritual vigilance, but that is a customary interpretation rather than a separate etymology.

Gregory Name History & Origins

The name is Greek in origin and was used by early Christians. It appears in the names of several early church figures, including Gregory Thaumaturgus, a third-century bishop in Asia Minor; Gregory the Illuminator, traditionally credited with bringing Christianity to Armenia; and the fourth-century theologians Gregory of Nazianzus and Gregory of Nyssa. Pope Gregory I, known as Gregory the Great, was pope from 590 to 604 and sent the mission that began the conversion of the Anglo-Saxons. The Latin form Gregorius was carried across Christian Europe, and the name became common in many languages.

English Gregory developed from Latin Gregorius; Old French had Gregoire, and other forms include Italian and Spanish Gregorio, German Gregor, and Russian Grigoriy. It was used in medieval England and later by clergy, scholars, and others. Several later popes also took the name, including Gregory VII, pope from 1073 to 1085, and Gregory XIII, who introduced the Gregorian calendar in 1582. The name is not related to the Latin word grex, "flock," despite the similar sound.

How Popular is the Name Gregory?

Gregory remained among the top 100 boy names in the U.S. from 1945 to 1996. Its highest annual birth count was in 1962, and people born that year turn 64 in 2026.

U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.

Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.

Explore Name Lists Featuring Gregory

Carl appears in several baby name collections based on U.S. popularity records, naming trends, and name characteristics. Explore these lists to discover other names with similar histories, styles, or features.

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How the Name Gregory Shapes Your Personality and Life?

You are introspective, prophetic, philosophical, and soul searching, but also can be analytical, critical and opinionated. You think deeply and clearly, have an air of mystery, can be solitary and secretive. You have an eventful, exciting life. You are versatile and have the ability to learn easily.

You are seeking freedom, opportunities to enjoy life: to make love, to go places and to do things. You are very adventurous and willing to take risk to achieve your objectives. New ways and new experiences can't satisfy your restless nature. One adventure leads you to another. You are honest and fair, because you know that this is the only way to receive justice and honesty from other people. But your personal growth is vital for you, and it is difficult to be tied down by rules and obligations. Your restless spirit might best controlled by choosing the field of work that meet your demand for action and adventure.

✦ Gregory's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Gregory's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.
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