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Boy name · Greek

Gregory

Name meaning, origin and popularity

: watchful, alert

Gregory is a boy's name that comes from Greek and means "watchful, alert". It is used in English.

Meaning
Watchful, alert
Origin
Greek
Gender
Boy
US rank
#593 in 2025

Meaning and origin of Gregory

As a boy's name, Gregory comes from Greek and means "watchful, alert". It is used in English.

Gregory is also a surname: the 360th most common in the 2020 US Census, held by 85,781 people. See the most common last names.

Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names

Gregory on Nomezo lists

What our editors wrote about Gregory on 3 lists.

  • “Watchful, alert; Greek. Greg for short; sixteen popes”

    From Classic boy names, traditional Latin and Greek boy names

  • “Greek for watchful; sixteen popes chose it”

    From Priest names, papal names

  • “Watchful, alert; Greek. The Great, pope from 590, sent missions to England”

    From Medieval names and surnames, saints' names popular in medieval Europe

How popular is Gregory?

US rank in 2025
#593
493 babies, 289 per million boys
Best rank
#21 in 1962
21,976 babies that year
Babies since 1880
At least 711,893
Years with under 5 are not listed
1880s1900s1920s1940s1960s1980s2000s2020s
Babies per million US boys, by decade (the 2020s so far, to 2025). Highest in the 1960s, at 9,734 per million.
Babies named Gregory per million US boys, by decade; highest in the 1960s
1880s36 per million
1890s81 per million
1900s122 per million
1910s164 per million
1920s199 per million
1930s357 per million
1940s2,903 per million
1950s8,827 per million
1960s9,734 per million
1970s6,997 per million
1980s5,074 per million
1990s2,674 per million
2000s1,006 per million
2010s557 per million
2020s339 per million
US rank by year
Year2016201720182019202020212022202320242025
Rank#360#374#408#388#435#486#495#530#539#593

Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.

Nicknames for Gregory

Established short forms and pet names, not made-up ones.

  • Gregcommon English nickname
  • Greggcommon English nickname

Other forms of Gregory

The same name in other languages and spellings, with the same meaning and origin.

  • GreerWatchful, alert (Greek, unisex)
  • GrégoireWatchful (Greek, boy)
  • GregorWatchful, alert (Greek, boy)
  • GregorioWatchful (Greek, boy)
  • GrigoriosWatchful, alert (Greek, boy)
  • GrigoryWatchful (Greek, boy)
  • GriogairWatchful, alert (Greek, boy)
  • GrzegorzWatchful, alert (Greek, boy)

Names with a similar meaning

  • CaseyVigilant, watchful (Irish Gaelic, unisex)
  • IraWatchful (Hebrew, boy)
  • EranWatchful, vigilant (Hebrew, boy)
  • GréagóirWatchful (Greek, boy)
  • GrishaShort form of Grigory, watchful (Greek, boy)
  • José GregorioHe will add, watchful (Hebrew and Greek, boy)

Middle names for Gregory

Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a shorter length, so the full name flows.

  • AltonTown at a river's source (Old English, boy)
  • AsherHappy, blessed (Hebrew, boy)
  • DavidBeloved one (Hebrew, boy)
  • DeanFrom a surname meaning valley (Old English, boy)
  • DrakeDragon (Old English, boy)
  • HughHeart, mind (Germanic, boy)
  • LaneA narrow path (English, unisex)
  • LouisFamous warrior (Germanic, boy)

More boy names from Greek

  • AlexanderDefender of men (Greek, boy)
  • LucasMan from Lucania (Greek, boy)
  • ChristianFollower of Christ (Greek, boy)
  • LeonA lion (Greek, boy)
  • HectorHolding fast (Greek, boy)
  • TheoGift of God (Greek, boy)
  • AlexisHelper, defender (Greek, boy)
  • LucaMan from Lucania (Greek, boy)
  • PeterRock, stone (Greek, boy)
  • SebastianMan of sebaste, venerable (Greek, boy)

Gregory: common questions

What does the name Gregory mean?

Gregory comes from Greek and means "watchful, alert".

Is Gregory a boy or girl name?

Gregory is mainly a boy's name.

What are nicknames for Gregory?

Common nicknames for Gregory include Greg and Gregg.

How popular is the name Gregory?

Gregory ranked #593 in the US in 2025, with 493 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

What are other forms of Gregory?

Forms of Gregory with the same meaning and origin include Greer (Scottish), Grégoire (French), Gregor (Scottish), Gregorio (Italian) and Grigorios (Greek).

What middle names go with Gregory?

Middle names that flow well with Gregory include Alton, Asher, David, Dean and Drake. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.