Gray

♀ Girl

Pronounced GRAY /ˈɡreɪ/High

Meaning: From the word/surname gray — Old English graeg, 'gray; gray-haired'; a color word-name; here for girlsMedium

In 30 seconds: Cool and sleek: Gray is the color word-name (and surname) 'gray'. Crisp, modern, and warm. Used for both sexes.

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Origin MediumEnglish

MeaningFrom the word/surname gray — Old English graeg, 'gray; gray-haired'; a color word-name; here for girls

U.S. rank (2024)#5185 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births25 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2014

Total births (all-time)≈ 654

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

Gray comes from the word and surname gray — Old English graeg, 'gray; gray-haired' (originally a nickname for someone gray-haired). A crisp, sleek, modern color word-name (and a short form of Grayson), used for both sexes, here for girls.

It registers thinly for girls. Rare for girls, gray at the root, and sleek.

Did you know? Gray means 'gray; gray-haired' (Old English graeg) — a cool, sleek color/surname word-name (and a short form of Grayson), used for both sexes.

Overall data confidence 58%

Oxford English Dictionary — gray — word origin

Variations

GreyGraye

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Gray…

Grey— a fellow spelling

Blue— a companion color word-name

Wren— another short modern name

Sage— a fellow nature word-name

Explore names like Gray

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Gray mean?

Gray is the word for 'gray; gray-haired' (Old English graeg).

How do you pronounce Gray?

It's said GRAY /ˈɡreɪ/ — a single syllable.

Is Gray a boy or girl name?

Gray is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a girl's name.

How popular is Gray?

Gray is rare for girls in the U.S.