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Grayson

♂ Boy

Pronounced GRAY-sun /ˈɡreɪsən/High

Meaning: Son of the gray-haired one; from Old English grǣg (gray) + sunu (son)High

In 30 seconds: A modern Old English surname-name meaning 'son of the gray-haired one.' Grayson shot into the U.S. top 20 boys' names in the 2010s, a sleek and handsome choice.
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Origin HighOld English
MeaningSon of the gray-haired one; from Old English grǣg (gray) + sunu (son)
Peak year2016
Total births (all-time)≈ 71,155

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201619052017

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Grayson originated as an English occupational or descriptive surname, derived from Old English grǣg (gray) and sunu (son), originally denoting the son of a gray-haired man. Like many English -son surnames, it converted into a first name during the 20th century as the trend for paternal surnames as given names took hold in the U.S.

As a given name, Grayson began climbing U.S. charts in the early 2000s and entered the top 20 boys' names by 2016. It combines a handsome sound with a modern surname-name aesthetic, and is favored by parents who want something more distinctive than the most common classics while still feeling strong and contemporary.

Did you know? Grayson is also the surname of Dick Grayson — the original Robin and later Nightwing in DC Comics — giving the name a quietly cool pop-culture connection.

Variations

Greyson

Nicknames

GrayGrey

Famous Bearers

  • ★Grayson Allen (1995–)
    American professional basketball player.

If you like Grayson…

Mason— popular modern surname-style boys' name with similar rhythm
Hudson— fellow Old English -son surname that became a first name at the same time
Carson— same two-syllable surname-name energy with a strong, Western feel
Jackson— classic -son surname-name enjoying consistent top-20 status

Frequently Asked

What does the name Grayson mean?

Grayson is an Old English surname-name meaning 'son of the gray-haired one,' from grǣg (gray) and sunu (son).

How do you pronounce Grayson?

It's said GRAY-sun /ˈɡreɪsən/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Grayson a boy or girl name?

Grayson is used almost entirely as a boys' name.

How popular is Grayson?

Grayson has ranked in the U.S. top 20 boys' names since the mid-2010s.