Grainger
A masculine name derived from the Old French word "grainger" meaning "farm steward".
Name Census estimates that about 151 living Americans carry the first name Grainger. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Grainger today is around 8 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Grainger births was 2023 (23 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Grainger. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
151
~ 1 in 2,269,896 Americans
Peak year
2023
23 babies that year
Average age
8
years old
2024 SSA rank
#7,919
Tracked since 1999
Popularity
Grainger: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Grainger from the 1990s through to the 2020s, spanning 4 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 74 total registrations. The name continues to be given at rates close to its all-time high, suggesting it has not yet fallen out of fashion.
Babies born per year
Decades
Grainger by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Grainger during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Graingers live
Origin
Meaning and history of Grainger
The name Grainger has its origins in the Old French language, derived from the word "granger," which means "a farm bailiff" or "a keeper of a granary." This occupation-based name emerged during the medieval period in France and England.
In the early Middle Ages, the name was closely associated with individuals responsible for managing agricultural estates and overseeing the storage and distribution of grains. As the name spread across different regions, it adopted various spellings, such as Granger, Graunger, and Graynger.
One of the earliest recorded references to the name Grainger can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land ownership and taxation in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears in various forms, indicating its presence among the Norman landowners and administrators who accompanied William during the Norman Conquest.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Grainger. One such figure was Percy Aldridge Grainger (1882-1961), an Australian-born composer and pianist renowned for his contributions to the development of modern folk music. His unique interpretations of traditional melodies and innovative compositional techniques have left a lasting impact on the musical landscape.
Another prominent bearer of the name was Walter Grainger (1901-1981), an American lawyer and jurist who served as a federal judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. His legal expertise and jurisprudence influenced numerous decisions during his tenure on the bench.
In the realm of literature, Mary Grainger (1786-1845) was a British novelist and poet known for her works exploring themes of social commentary and moral instruction. Her novels, such as "The Woodville Family" and "The Young Hussar," gained popularity during the early 19th century.
The name Grainger also has ties to the world of sports. Harry Grainger (1868-1925) was an English professional cricketer who played for the Yorkshire County Cricket Club and the England national team. His exceptional bowling skills and contributions to cricket have earned him a place in the annals of the sport.
Another notable figure was William Grainger (1784-1833), a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars. He gained recognition for his bravery and leadership, particularly during the Battle of Trafalgar, where he played a crucial role in the British victory.
While these examples provide a glimpse into the historical significance of the name Grainger, it is essential to note that the name's popularity and usage have evolved over time, reflecting the cultural and societal changes of different eras.
People
Grainger + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Grainger as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with G
Other first names starting with G with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Grainger: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Grainger?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 151 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Grainger going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 2,269,896 US residents.
Is Grainger a common name?
We classify Grainger as "Very Rare". It ranks above 70.4% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 152 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Grainger most popular?
The single biggest year for Grainger was 2023, when 23 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Grainger is about 8 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Grainger a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Grainger in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.