The first name Gregory
A boy’s name from Greek meaning “watchful”, “vigilant”, “awaken”.
Pronounced /ˈɡɹɛɡ(ə)ɹi/ 3 syllables Male Also a surname
Meaning and origin
Greek origin
Gregory means “watchful”, “vigilant”, “awaken” in Greek.
Via Latin Grēgorius, from post-classical Ancient Greek Γρηγόριος (Grēgórios, “watchful, vigilant”), from Ancient Greek ἐγείρω (egeírō, “awaken, arouse”).
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 19 boys were named Gregory, making it the 1,406th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 1997, with 358 births (#117).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Gregory with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Gregory at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 493 boys born in the United States were named Gregory, the 593rd most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1962, when 21,976 were.
US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.
Gregory in other languages
Equivalent forms of the name, from Wiktionary
Nicknames and spellings
Famous people named Gregory
207 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Gregory PeckAmerican actor (1916–2003)
- Gregory HinesAmerican actor and dancer (1946–2003)
- Gregory van der WielDutch association football player (born 1988)
- Gregory BatesonEnglish anthropologist, linguist, semiotician and cyberneticist (1904–1980)
- Grégory CoupetFrench footballer (born 1972)
- Gregory JarvisAmerican astronaut (1944-1986)
- Grégory LemarchalFrench singer (1983-2007)
- Gregory CorsoAmerican writer (1930-2001)
- Gregory ItzinAmerican actor (1948–2022)
- Gregory OlsenAmerican astronaut and businessman, born 1945
- Gregory Goodwin PincusAmerican biochemist (1903–1967)
- Gregory La CavaAmerican film director (1892-1952)
More Greek boys’ names
Questions
- What does the name Gregory mean?
- Gregory means “watchful”, “vigilant”, “awaken” in Greek.
- What is the origin of the name Gregory?
- Via Latin Grēgorius, from post-classical Ancient Greek Γρηγόριος (Grēgórios, “watchful, vigilant”), from Ancient Greek ἐγείρω (egeírō, “awaken, arouse”).
- How popular is the name Gregory?
- In 2025, 19 boys born in England and Wales were named Gregory, ranking 1,406th. Its peak was 1997, with 358 births.
- What are nicknames for Gregory?
- Common nicknames for Gregory include Gregg.
- Is Gregory a boy's or a girl's name?
- Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 714,753 US babies named Gregory since 1880 were boys.
- When was Gregory most popular?
- 1962 in the United States, when 21,976 babies were named Gregory, its highest rank at 21st.
- How do you pronounce Gregory?
- Gregory is /ˈɡɹɛɡ(ə)ɹi/, 3 syllables.
- What are other spellings of Gregory?
- Gregor.
- Is Gregory also a surname?
- Yes. Gregory is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.