Gray is an English masculine given name of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Scottish surname Graham, which itself originates from the Scottish Gaelic name Griogair. The name Griogair means "gray-haired" or "grey chief", with the prefix gri meaning "gray" and the suffix ri meaning "king".
The name Gray has been used as a given name since the Middle Ages in Scotland. It was often bestowed upon children born to families with the surname Graham, as a way of honoring their heritage and maintaining family traditions.
Over time, the use of Gray as a given name spread beyond Scotland and became more popular in England and other English-speaking countries. Today, it is considered a unisex name, although it is still more commonly used for boys than girls.
In literature, one of the most notable bearers of the name Gray was the poet Thomas Gray, who was born in England in 1716. He is best known for his long poem "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard", which was published in 1751 and remains a popular work today.
Overall, the name Gray has a strong connection to Scottish heritage and history, with a meaning that suggests strength, leadership, and wisdom. It is a classic yet distinctive name that has been worn by many notable individuals throughout history.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Gray has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past century in the United States.
From 1885 to 1976, the number of births with the name Gray remained relatively low and fluctuating, ranging from 5 to 29 births per year. However, starting in 1977, there was a noticeable increase in the popularity of the name Gray, with the number of births per year rising from 18 in 1977 to 39 in 2000.
The years 1994 and 1995 marked a significant turning point for the name Gray, with 57 and 52 births respectively. This trend continued into the new millennium, with the number of births reaching triple digits in 2006 (70 births) and continuing to rise steadily each year.
The most popular year for the name Gray in the United States was 2023, with a total of 173 births. Overall, from 1885 to 2023, there were a total of 4,894 births with the name Gray in the United States.
These statistics demonstrate that while the name Gray may not have been particularly popular throughout much of the 20th century, it has gained significant traction in recent decades and is now one of the more common names given to newborns in the United States.