Find out how popular the first name Grey has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Grey by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Grey is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 84% of people named Grey being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 275 male babies and 49 female babies born with the name Grey.

The history of the first name Grey

The name Grey has its origins in the Old English language, derived from the word "grǣg," which means "gray" or "grey." This name likely emerged during the Anglo-Saxon period in Britain, around the 5th to 11th centuries AD. It was initially used as a descriptive name, referring to someone with gray hair or a grayish complexion.

In early English literature, the name Grey is mentioned in various texts, including the famous epic poem "Beowulf," which dates back to the 7th or 8th century. The name also appears in several historical records and chronicles from the Middle Ages, indicating its usage among the English nobility and gentry.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Grey can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The book mentions several individuals bearing the name Grey, suggesting its widespread use at the time.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Grey. One of the most famous is John Grey, 1st Earl of Tankerville (1559-1611), an English courtier and soldier who served under Queen Elizabeth I and King James I. Another prominent figure is Henry Grey, 1st Duke of Suffolk (1517-1554), who played a significant role in the English Reformation and was briefly proclaimed King of England during the turbulent years of the mid-16th century.

In the literary world, the name Grey is associated with Thomas Grey, 1st Baron Grey of Wilton (1359-1417), an English poet and courtier known for his poem "Scalacronica," a chronicle of English history. Additionally, Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey (1764-1845), a British statesman and Prime Minister, lent his name to the famous Earl Grey tea blend.

Another historical figure worth mentioning is Lady Jane Grey (1537-1554), who briefly reigned as Queen of England for nine days in 1553 before being deposed and executed. Her tragic story has been the subject of numerous literary works and has kept her name alive throughout the centuries.

These are just a few examples of the many notable individuals who have borne the name Grey throughout history, highlighting its longstanding presence and significance in various contexts.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Grey was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Grey, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!