What Does the Name Gray Mean?
Gray is a unisex name of English (Old English) origin meaning “grey-haired; the colour grey.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Gray |
|---|---|
| Gender | unisex |
| Origin | English (Old English) |
| Meaning | grey-haired; the colour grey |
| Variants | Grey, Greyson, Grayson |
| Popularity | A modern unisex given name most common in the United States, used for both sexes though leaning masculine; often a nickname for Grayson. |
The meaning and origin of Gray
The name Gray means “grey-haired; the colour grey” and has English (Old English) origins. From an Old English nickname and surname for someone with grey hair or a grey complexion. It is also used as a short form of names like Grayson.
Variants and related names
Gray is related to several other names you may recognize: Grey, Greyson, Grayson. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Gray?
A modern unisex given name most common in the United States, used for both sexes though leaning masculine; often a nickname for Grayson.
Popularity matters when you need believable test data: a name that fits the era or region you are modeling makes a generated profile look real. You can generate a complete fictional profile using the name Gray below.
Generate a fake Gray profile
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Gray mean?+
The name Gray means “grey-haired; the colour grey” and is of English (Old English) origin.
What is the origin of the name Gray?+
Gray originates from English (Old English).
Is Gray a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Gray has trended in the US over time.
Gray by gender
More unisex names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press