Grant

♂ Boy

Pronounced GRANT /ɡrænt/High

Meaning: Great; tall; from Old French grand (great, tall), possibly via Scottish clan name le GrantHigh

In 30 seconds: A crisp one-syllable name from Old French meaning 'great' or 'tall,' made famous as a presidential surname (Ulysses S. Grant) and by perennial leading man Cary Grant.

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Origin HighOld French, Scottish Gaelic

MeaningGreat; tall; from Old French grand (great, tall), possibly via Scottish clan name le Grant

U.S. rank (2025)#228 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births1,555 boys (0.09% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1997

Total births (all-time)≈ 136,451

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Grant derives from the Old French grand ('great, tall') via the Norman French surname le Grant. The name came to Scotland with the Normans and became a major Scottish clan name. In the United States it became popular as a given name in the 19th century, particularly following the fame of Civil War general and President Ulysses S. Grant.

Grant has been used as a first name in the English-speaking world since the 19th century. It ranks in the U.S. top 250 boys' names and projects a strong, dignified image. Its single-syllable force and associations with presidential and cinematic prestige keep it in steady demand.

Did you know? Cary Grant (born Archibald Leach, 1904–1986) chose the surname Grant as his stage name partly because it sounded strong, simple, and American — a masterclass in name selection.

Variations

Grante

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Ulysses S. Grant (1822–1885)
18th President of the United States and Union general in the Civil War.
★Cary Grant (1904–1986)
British-American actor and Hollywood golden age icon.

If you like Grant…

Hayes— single-syllable presidential surname name in the same category

Chase— another short, sporty presidential-era surname name

Beau— confident one-syllable boys' name with a refined feel

Glen— shares Grant's Scottish Gaelic roots

Cayde— lands in the same popularity range

Frequently Asked

What does the name Grant mean?

Grant means 'great' or 'tall,' from Old French grand, via the Scottish clan surname le Grant.

How do you pronounce Grant?

Grant is a single syllable pronounced GRANT (/ɡrænt/).

Is Grant a boy or girl name?

Grant is used predominantly as a boy's name.

How popular is Grant?

Grant has been a consistent top-200 U.S. boys' name for many decades, popular for its strength and presidential associations.