Boy · 180th of 10,718
Greg
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
77,835
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1961
Peak Popularity Year
5,410
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Greg stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Greg originates from the Greek name Gregorios, meaning vigilant or watchful. It evolved through Latin as Gregorius before becoming popular in English. The name is often associated with positive traits such as reliability and leadership, while it has biblical connections through Saint Gregory. Its historical usage rose during the Middle Ages, leading to its common modern perception.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ɡrɛɡ/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Greg is derived from the Greek name 'Gregorios', meaning 'vigilant' or 'watchful'. It is often associated with the Latin form 'Gregorius'.
Meaning
vigilant, watchful
Language Evolution
Gregorios (Greek), Gregorius (Latin), Greg (English)
Historical Usage
The name Greg gained popularity in the Christian tradition due to Saint Gregory, whose influence spread throughout Europe in the Middle Ages.
Variants & Derivatives
Gregory, Graham, Grego
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Greg is viewed as a friendly and approachable name, often associated with reliability and leadership.
Famous People
Greg Kinnear (actor), Greg Norman (golfer), Greg Gutfeld (television personality)
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 5,410 peak births in 1961
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Montana
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 10 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 1 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 10 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 4320th of 7545 | 51 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 789th of 6773 | 1,173 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 134th of 7552 | 47,083 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 180th of 10718 | 23,762 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 612th of 16616 | 4,118 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1799th of 24088 | 1,153 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 3702nd of 23106 | 352 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 6965th of 12526 | 51 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 7682nd of 19264 | 82 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 23525th of 27321 | 10 |