Grover is a name of English origin that has gained popularity in recent years. It is derived from the medieval personal name Grisel, which was popular among the Normans who invaded England in the 11th century. The name Grisel is believed to have originated from the Germanic words "gris," meaning "gray," and "-hild," meaning "battle." Therefore, Grover means "gray-haired warrior."
The name Grover was originally a surname, but it has since been adopted as a given name for boys. It was first recorded as a given name in the United States in the late 19th century. However, it was not until the mid-20th century that Grover began to gain significant popularity as a boy's name.
One notable figure with the name Grover is former US President Grover Cleveland, who served two non-consecutive terms from 1885 to 1889 and again from 1893 to 1897. He was born in 1837 and was named after his uncle, who had the surname Grover.
Today, Grover is considered a unique and distinctive name for boys. It has a vintage feel while still sounding modern and approachable. According to data from the Social Security Administration, Grover has been steadily increasing in popularity since the 1980s, with its highest ranking being in 2016 when it reached number 753 on the list of most popular boy's names in the United States.
In summary, Grover is a name of English origin that means "gray-haired warrior." It was originally a surname but has since been adopted as a given name for boys. Although not extremely common, Grover has gained popularity in recent years and is considered a unique and distinctive choice for parents looking for a vintage-inspired name with a modern edge.
The name Grover experienced a dramatic rise and fall in popularity throughout the 20th century, with its peak in the early 1920s (1921-1924) when it reached over 600 births per year. However, by the mid-1950s, it had declined significantly to around 200 births annually. Since then, it has continued to decrease steadily, with fewer than 30 births per year recorded between 1980 and 2022 inclusive.