Gregory, of Latin origin, is a classic and distinguished name that has been widely used throughout history. It is composed of two elements: 'gregarious', meaning 'alert' or 'watchful', and '-orius', a suffix denoting 'of the'. Thus, Gregory literally translates to 'vigilant or watchful one'. This name was popularized by early Christian saints, notably Saint Gregory the Great, who was a pope during the 6th century. It reached its peak popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century and remains a steadfast choice for parents today.
"Gregory is a name that enjoyed significant popularity between the mid-20th century and the early 1970s, with over 5 births per year on average during this period. However, its prevalence has steadily declined since then, as indicated by the fluctuating birth statistics from the late 1970s to the most recent data in 2012, where it averaged less than one birth per year."