Origin, Meaning And History of Grey
Grey is a name that has Old English origins. It is derived from an old family in the Boernician tribe of the ancient Scottish-English border region. The meaning of this name Grey is associated with ‘someone with a gray beard or gray hair,’ ‘brindled coloration,’ ‘welcome,’ or ‘pleasing.’
It may also be a short form of the Ukrainian work Grushko, which may be derived from the Russian transliteration of grushka, meaning the pear tree.
In Scotland, the name Grey refers to someone who possesses gray hair. Before this name arrived in Scotland, it is said to have had two possible origins. The most popular of which states that the name Grey was derived from the Gaelic word Riabhach. This word translates into ‘gray,’ about the color. The second interpretation of the origin of the name is that it is a habitational name. It is believed to have been derived from the name of a place called Graye in Calvados. It was also believed to have been a nickname for the Gallo-Roman name, Gratus, which translates to ‘welcome’ or ‘pleasing.’
The name Grey can be pronounced; ‘Greɪ.’ Variations of the name Grey include Griswold, Grayson, Greeley, Greye, Graydon, and Graye. The name Grey was usually associated with masculinity but has also been known to be used as a feminine name.
In the world of fictional characters, a memorable persona is Dorian Gray. He is the protagonist of the book, ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray.’ The book was written by Oscar Wilde in 1890-1891. Another memorable fictional character is Violet Gray, who first appeared in the comic strip Peanuts. This comic strip was part of the Sunday newspaper, and Violet has been a main character since 1951. Christian Grey was the main protagonist of the popular novel ‘Fifty shades of grey.’ Grey Worm is one of the main characters of the extremely popular TV show ‘Game of Thrones.’ Meredith Grey is the main female protagonist of the medical fiction TV series named ‘Grey’s Anatomy.’
Grey
How To Pronounce Grey?
The way you pronounce a name can make all the difference.
Listen to the sound of the name Grey in German.
Famous People With The Name Grey
- Avis GrayCanadian politician, selected as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba twice
- Carl Raymond GrayAmerican railroad executive, president of the Great Northern Railway and Western Maryland Railway
- Charles McNeill GrayAmerican politician, served as Mayor of Chicago, Illinois (1853-1854)
- Erin GrayAmerican actress, known for her role in the 25th Century and Silver Spoons
- John Lee Gray Jr.American 800m runner, four-time olympian and setter of the 600m world record
Grey On The Popularity Chart
According to the US Social Security Administration chart, Grey was unpopular in the 1980s and 1990s. After that, it saw a transient increase, with its highest popularity in 2021.
Popularity Over Time
Grey, as a first name, has not been too popular. The graph here shows the trends over the years.
Source: Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
The rank of the name grey has witnessed extreme highs and lows, which can be seen in the graph here.
Source: Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Grey
Here are popular baby names resembling grey but with different meanings.
Popular Sibling Names For Grey
If you are looking for some matching sibling names that resonate with Grey, check our suggestions here.
Boy Sibling Names For Grey
Find matching brother names for Grey and create a wonderful team of siblings.
GaarwineGaera Gaerwn Gaerwulf Gar Garaden Garadin Garadun Garadyn Garafeld Girl Sibling Names For Grey
Looking for some suitable sister names for Grey? Check out our collection of beautiful and unique names.
GaraGarabina Garance Garati Garbo Garcelle Garcia Garda Garden Gardenia Other Popular Names Beginning With G
Looking for more baby names starting with the letter G to resonate with your family’s naming tradition or to rhyme with the sibling names? Find a range of alternative names starting with this letter.
Names With Similar Meaning as Grey
Look no further if you are looking for baby names associated with the color gray. Here are some worthwhile names to consider.
Infographic: Know The Name Grey‘s Personality As Per Numerology
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Get high-quality PDF version by clicking below.
Download Infographic
How To Communicate The Name Grey In Other Languages
In Nautical Flags
grey
In Sign Language
grey
In Braille Alphabet
grey
In Morse Code
grey
Name Numerology For Grey
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Grey?
The name Grey means ‘someone with a gray beard or gray hair.’
2. What is the origin of the name Grey?
Grey has an English origin.
3. How to pronounce the name Grey?
Grey is pronounced as grey.
4. Can Grey be a first name?
Grey has traditionally been known as a surname, but interestingly, it has gained popularity as a first name in recent times. Many parents seem to be attracted to its unique and contemporary charm.
5. Is Grey a rare name?
Grey has not been a really common name in the US in recent times. According to the SSA, 331 boys were given this name in the US in 2022 (1). However, the popularity of the name Grey can vary based on where you are and the prevailing cultural preferences.
6. Is it Grey or Gray baby names?
Both Grey and Gray can be used as baby names. Grey is a variant of Gray, which in turn is derived from an English surname meaning grey. However, both spellings are valid and can be chosen as baby names based on personal preference.
References:
- Baby names.
https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/
Look Up For Many More Names
Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.
