Gregory
Gregory is a boy's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Watchful, vigilant, or alert.
Origin and history
Gregory is derived from the Late Greek name Gregorios, which means watchful or alert. It became popular in early Christian tradition through numerous saints and popes. In the United States, it was exceptionally popular in the mid-20th century and remains a classic, widely recognized masculine name.
Popularity in the United States
711,893 babies in the United States have been named Gregory since 1880. It ranks #48 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #505.
States where it is most popular
- CA (9.5 %)
- NY (8 %)
- OH (6.4 %)
- IL (5.9 %)
- PA (5.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 39 |
| 1890-1900 | 92 |
| 1900-1910 | 166 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,093 |
| 1920-1930 | 2,193 |
| 1930-1940 | 3,769 |
| 1940-1950 | 43,222 |
| 1950-1960 | 178,457 |
| 1960-1970 | 187,495 |
| 1970-1980 | 115,563 |
| 1980-1990 | 93,655 |
| 1990-2000 | 52,090 |
| 2000-2010 | 20,074 |
| 2010-2019 | 10,471 |
| 2020-2029 | 3,514 |
Famous people named Gregory
- Gregory Peck: Actor
- Gregory Hines: Dancer, Actor
Nicknames
Greg, Gregg
Fun facts
- The name Gregory was adopted by sixteen popes, most notably Pope Gregory I, who established Gregorian chant.
- The modern Gregorian calendar, introduced in 1582, was named after Pope Gregory XIII.