Gray
Gray: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ɡɹeɪ/
Meaning and origin of Gray
Root meaning: “Greek”
- A male given name.
Etymology
As an English, Irish, Scottish, and Norman surname, from the placename Graye-sur-Mer in Calvados, from Late Latin Graecus (“Greek”). * Also as an English surname, from the adjective gray. Compare the Irish calque McGreevy. * As a French surname, from Gray, Haute-Saône in France, from the personal name Gradus, a Gallo-Roman/Celtic pronunciation of Gratus, from the name Gratius.
How popular is Gray?
Since 1880, 676 girls and 5,166 boys in the U.S. have been named Gray (12% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #2985 in 1913. Its highest rank for boys was #838 in 1889. In 2025, 150 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Gray
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
Sibling name ideas for Gray
Names that peaked around the same time as Gray and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Gray FAQ
What does the name Gray mean?
Gray traces back to a root meaning "Greek". A male given name. As an English, Irish, Scottish, and Norman surname, from the placename Graye-sur-Mer in Calvados, from Late Latin Graecus (“Greek”). * Also as an English surname, from the adjective gray. Compare the Irish calque McGreevy. * As a French surname, from Gray, Haute-Saône in France, from the personal name Gradus, a Gallo-Roman/Celtic pronunciation of Gratus, from the name Gratius.
How popular is the name Gray?
Since 1880, 676 girls and 5,166 boys in the U.S. have been named Gray (12% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #2985 in 1913. Its highest rank for boys was #838 in 1889. In 2025, 150 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Gray a boy or girl name?
Gray is used for both boys and girls in the U.S. (676 girls and 5,166 boys since 1880).
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.