Grey

A familiar Old English name with steady appeal.

Boy's name| Also girlsOld EnglishDeclining Also a pet name
#876 14in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A surname transferred from the nickname, alternative spelling of Gray.

Grey is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old English origin, from the Old English graeg meaning "gray" — the color of dawn, mist, and stone. As a name, it carries a quiet, sophisticated coolness that no other color name quite matches.

Grey has been rising steadily as parents discover its understated elegance. The TV series Grey's Anatomy brought the name massive cultural exposure, and the distinctive -ey spelling separates it visually from the more common Gray. It works for both boys and girls with equal grace.

Compare Grey with another name

Popularity Over Time

Grey climbed 932 spots in the last 20 years — from #1808 to #876.

091181272362192019401960198020002024

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Grey
DecadeBirthsTrend
2020s1,547
2010s2,405
2000s755
1990s406
1980s166
1970s121
1960s140
1950s102
1940s66
1930s39
1920s55
1910s30

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(102 years, 19132024)
Year-by-year popularity data for the name Grey
YearBirthsRank
2024274#876
2023276#862
2022333#759
2021362#717
2020302#778
2019335#725
2018331#723
2017327#733
2016321#757
2015234#917
2014236#909
2013204#981
2012185#1042
2011126#1346
2010106#1528
2009132#1321
2008113#1456
2007103#1529
200687#1647
200549#2385

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Grey as a Girl's Name

Though more common for boys, Grey has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 1,021 births since 1990.

#3085
Current rank
1,021
Total births
2021
Peak year
Compare Grey as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Grey be used for both boys and girls?
Yes, Grey is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #876. As a girl's name, it ranks #3085.

Grey has two lives

Grey, the baby name
#876boys
5,832 babies
Currently viewing
Grey, the pet name
#1314pet name
83 pets
View pet page →

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (19132024) · Methodology