Greely is a unique and distinctive given name of American origin. It was originally a surname, derived from the Middle English word "grel", which means "to groan" or "to cry out". However, over time, Greely has evolved into a unisex first name, often used for both boys and girls.
The earliest recorded use of Greely as a given name is in the late 19th century. It is believed to have been popularized by American explorer and polar scientist Adolfus Greely (1846-1935). Born in New York City, Greely was known for his expeditions to the Arctic, including leading the Lady Franklin Bay Expedition from 1881 to 1884. His notable contributions to Arctic exploration and science may have inspired parents to choose Greely as a name for their children.
As a given name, Greely is often associated with strength, adventurousness, and resilience, perhaps due to its historical connection to Adolfus Greely's explorations. However, it is important to note that these associations are not inherent in the name itself but rather have been attributed to it over time based on its namesake.
Greely is a rare name, with very few people bearing it as a first name. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, only 23 boys and 6 girls were named Greely between 1880 and 2019. This rarity contributes to its unique appeal and makes it stand out among other names.
In summary, Greely is a rare, unisex given name of American origin that was popularized by explorer Adolfus Greely in the late 19th century. Derived from an Old English surname meaning "to groan" or "to cry out," Greely has evolved to be associated with strength and adventurousness due to its namesake's achievements in Arctic exploration. Despite its rarity, Greely remains a distinctive choice for parents looking for a unique name for their child.
The name Greely has a unique history of usage in the United States, with fluctuations over time as evidenced by the birth statistics provided. In 1894, there were 6 babies named Greely, marking the beginning of this name's appearance in U.S. records.
Over the next decade, its popularity seemed to wane, with only 5 births recorded in 1901. However, it experienced a resurgence around the 1910s and 1920s, with 7 births in 1914 and peaking at 9 births in 1921. This suggests that Greely was seen as an attractive name option during this period.
Despite this peak, popularity fluctuated again throughout the following decade, with 5 births each year from 1922 to 1923 and then a slight increase to 6 births in 1925. The late 1920s saw another rise, with 6 births recorded in 1928.
The 1930s demonstrated further instability, with 7 births in 1934 followed by a dip to 6 in 1937 and then back down to 5 in 1944. These figures indicate that while Greely did see periods of higher usage, it never achieved widespread popularity.
In total, over the years from 1894 to 1944, there were 66 babies named Greely in the United States. This uncommon yet consistent presence in U.S. birth records showcases Greely as a distinctive and memorable name choice throughout much of the early 20th century.
While these statistics do not provide information about the meaning or origin of the name Greely, they offer valuable insight into its usage history and help paint a picture of this unique name's place in U.S. naming trends during this period.