Grayling
A color name from the grayish-purple hue of the grayling fish.
Name Census estimates that about 430 living Americans carry the first name Grayling. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Grayling today is around 63 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Grayling births was 1959 (61 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Grayling. 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
430
~ 1 in 797,103 Americans
Peak year
1959
61 babies that year
Average age
63
years old
1994 SSA rank
#9,325
Tracked since 1950
Popularity
Grayling: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Grayling from the 1950s through to the 1990s, spanning 5 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1950s, with 327 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1950s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Grayling 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 Grayling during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Graylings live
The SSA's state-level files cover 11 states and territories. North Carolina, Louisiana, Alabama recorded the most babies named Grayling, while Virginia, Texas, Tennessee recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 10 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Grayling
The name Grayling is believed to have originated from the Old English word "grægling," which referred to a type of freshwater fish found in rivers and streams. This fish, known as the grayling, was prized for its delicate flavor and beautiful coloration. The name likely emerged as a surname or descriptive name among those who lived near areas where these fish were abundant or for those who may have been involved in fishing or trading grayling.
The earliest recorded use of the name Grayling as a given name dates back to the 16th century in England. It was initially more common as a surname, but over time, some families began using it as a first name, perhaps as a way to honor their ancestors or to reflect their connection to the natural world. The name's association with the grayling fish also imbued it with a sense of grace and elegance.
One notable historical figure who bore the name Grayling was Grayling Gibbons (1720-1776), an English engraver and medallist known for his exceptional craftsmanship. His works included coins, medals, and seals for various monarchs and institutions, and he played a significant role in the development of numismatic art during his time.
Another individual of note was Grayling Crosbie (1857-1935), a British author and journalist who wrote extensively on topics related to travel, exploration, and adventure. His works, such as "The Adventures of a Wanderer" and "In the Heart of the Rockies," chronicled his experiences in far-flung corners of the world and captured the spirit of exploration that characterized his era.
In the 19th century, Grayling Beveridge (1824-1901) was a prominent Scottish theologian and minister of the Free Church of Scotland. He was known for his scholarly works on church history and his contributions to the study of the Reformation in Scotland.
Another notable figure was Grayling Fortescue (1877-1951), a British army officer who served in World War I and later became a respected military historian. His books, including "The Army Service Corps" and "The British Army in North America," provided valuable insights into military logistics and strategy.
Grayling Faulkner (1901-1978) was an American artist and illustrator known for his vibrant and whimsical depictions of nature and wildlife. His works, which included book illustrations, murals, and paintings, captured the beauty and spirit of the natural world and were widely celebrated for their artistry and imagination.
While the name Grayling may not be as common today as it once was, its origins and historical associations with the natural world, craftsmanship, exploration, and artistic expression have left an indelible mark on the cultural tapestry of various societies.
People
Grayling + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Grayling 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
Grayling: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Grayling?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 430 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Grayling 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 797,103 US residents.
Is Grayling a common name?
We classify Grayling as "Very Rare". It ranks above 83.1% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 529 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Grayling most popular?
The single biggest year for Grayling was 1959, when 61 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Grayling is about 63 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Grayling a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Grayling 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.