Gregory peaked in 1962 with over 711,000 total U.S. bearers, making it one of the most saturated male names of the 20th century. It's now rank #539, in the zone where Boomer-generation names sit before they either fade entirely or find a second act. Gregory has better revival assets than most names at this stage.
Greek Watchman
Gregory derives from the Greek Gregorios, from gregorein (to be awake, to be watchful). The meaning, "the watchful one" or "the vigilant," is strong and purposeful. Sixteen popes have borne the name Gregory, most famously Gregory I ("the Great"), who reorganized the medieval church and gave his name to Gregorian chant in the 6th century. That papal lineage gives the name centuries of weight in Catholic naming traditions. Current rank: #539.
The Nickname Ecosystem
Greg is the dominant short form: friendly, direct, and entirely current as a standalone. Gregory gives parents the formal option with Greg always available. That nickname versatility is one of the things that makes Gregory more durable than some of its Boomer peers. Gary has no modern nickname; Dennis has Dennis. But Gregory/Greg is a working pair across every decade. Compare it with Geoffrey, another name from the same era that operates through a nickname (Geoff/Jeff) and sits at a similar point in the revival cycle.
The Revival Case
Gregory's combination of Greek meaning (watchful), papal history, Gregorian chant association, and clean nickname makes it one of the stronger candidates for the inevitable midcentury revival. It doesn't have the cultural baggage of some peers: no single defining negative association, no one-generation saturation problem beyond the demographic numbers. The 1960s naming cohort revival hasn't fully arrived yet. When it does, Gregory seems positioned to be among the first names parents reach for.