Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Gregory
BoyGreek, Latin· “watchful, alert”
- Meaning
- watchful, alert
- Origin
- Greek, Latin
- Pronunciation
- GREH-gur-ee
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #593
- US babies 2025
- 493
- Best rank
- #21 (1962)
- Peak year
- 1962
Meaning and origin of Gregory
Gregory is a Greek and Latin name that means “watchful, alert”.
Gregory comes from the Greek Gregorios, meaning watchful or alert. It was a favorite among early Christians and was borne by many saints and popes. Pope Gregory the Great gave his name to Gregorian chant, and a later pope, Gregory XIII, introduced the calendar still used across most of the world. The name reached England with the Normans and has stayed in steady use ever since. Gregory feels scholarly, dependable and classic, with the familiar nicknames Greg and Gregor. The actor Gregory Peck gave it a gentle, dignified image for a generation of American parents.
Popularity over time
Gregory has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 140 different years. Its best national rank was #21 in 1962, the same year it reached its highest count of 21,976 babies. In 2025, 493 babies were named Gregory, and it ranked #593 nationally. That is 50% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #454 in 1920, #25 in 1950, #42 in 1980, #138 in 2000, #268 in 2010, and #593 in 2025. Of the 711,893 US boys named Gregory since records began, 26% were born in the 1960s, its biggest decade. The 1950s come next, with 178,457 babies. Since 2010, 13,985 more have been named Gregory.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Kevin, Jeffrey, Jeff, Jeffery, and Tony.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Gregory ranked highest in Connecticut, South Carolina, and Arkansas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | #304 | 10 |
| South Carolina | #315 | 17 |
| Arkansas | #368 | 9 |
| Pennsylvania | #380 | 28 |
| Michigan | #398 | 22 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Gregory is usually pronounced GREH-gur-ee, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with G and ends in “-ry”.
Middle names for Gregory
A few middle names that flow with Gregory: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Gregory
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Lists that include Gregory
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Gregory mean?
Gregory is a Greek and Latin name that means “watchful, alert”.
What is the origin of the name Gregory?
Gregory has Greek and Latin roots. Gregory comes from the Greek Gregorios, meaning watchful or alert.
Is Gregory a popular name?
Yes. Gregory ranked #593 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Gregory a boy or girl name?
Gregory is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Gregory?
Gregory is usually pronounced GREH-gur-ee. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings