Greig

♂ Boy

Pronounced GREG /ˈɡrɛɡ/Medium

Meaning: Greig is a Scottish surname form of Gregory, worn down from Gregor. Gregory comes from Greek gregorein ('to be watchful, vigilant'), a fitting name in early Christianity for a watchful shepherd of souls. As a first name Greig carries that 'watchful' sense with a distinctly Scottish spelling.Medium

In 30 seconds: Greig is a Scottish form of Gregory, from Greek for 'watchful.' It shares its spelling with the composer Grieg (said GREG).

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Origin MediumGreek, Scottish

MeaningGreig is a Scottish surname form of Gregory, worn down from Gregor. Gregory comes from Greek gregorein ('to be watchful, vigilant'), a fitting name in early Christianity for a watchful shepherd of souls. As a first name Greig carries that 'watchful' sense with a distinctly Scottish spelling.

U.S. rank (1980)#6615 ↘ Falling

1980 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1957

Total births (all-time)≈ 384

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

Greig is a Scottish surname form of Gregory, from Greek gregorein ('to be watchful'). It appears as an American first name from about 1938 and reached its small high in the late 1950s. It was never common in this spelling, given to only a couple dozen boys a year at its peak.

A Greig from that high would be a grandfather now, and the name reads as a crisp Scottish alternative to the common Gregg and Greg. It has not become widespread, but its heritage spelling gives it a distinctive, tartan-flecked appeal for parents drawn to Scottish names.

Did you know? The Scottish surname Greig gave the world the composer Edvard Grieg's family name - both trimmed from Gregor, 'the watchful one.'

Overall data confidence 55%

References - Greig — Scottish form of Gregory; Greek gregorein 'watchful'; cf. composer Grieg

Variations

GreggGregGregor

Nicknames

Greg

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Greig…

Gregg— the common spelling of the same short name

Gregor— the fuller Scottish form behind Greig

Craig— a like one-syllable Scottish boys' name

Gregory— the full name Greig comes from

Explore names like Greig

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Greig mean?

It is a Scottish surname form of Gregory, from Greek gregorein, meaning 'to be watchful' or 'vigilant.'

How do you pronounce Greig?

It's said GREG /ˈɡrɛɡ/, one syllable.

Is Greig a boy or girl name?

Greig is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Greig?

It has always been rare, a Scottish form of Gregory given to only a couple dozen boys a year at its peak.