Grayson is an English given name of Norman origin. It is derived from the Old English personal name Graegh + son, which means "son of Gray". The name Gray itself comes from the color gray, which was used as a nickname for someone with gray hair or eyes.
The use of Grayson as a given name can be traced back to the medieval period in England. It was often used as a surname before it became more popular as a first name in recent years. Some notable individuals with the name Grayson include American actor Matthew Gray Gubler and British musician Tom Gray.
Overall, Grayson is a strong and distinctive name that carries a sense of history and tradition. Its connection to the color gray gives it a certain elegance and sophistication, while its Norman origins add a touch of regalness. Despite its traditional roots, Grayson has a modern feel to it and is often used as a unisex name.
The name Grayson has seen significant popularity and growth in usage over the past century in the United States. Between 1905 and 1939, there were fewer than 40 births per year with this name. However, starting from 1940, the number of annual births with the name Grayson began to steadily increase.
In 1948, the first significant leap occurred with 37 births, marking a notable rise in popularity. This trend continued throughout the 1950s and 1960s, with varying numbers of births each year but consistently more than 20 per year since 1948.
The 1970s brought another surge in popularity for the name Grayson. In 1970, there were 45 births, followed by a peak of 76 births in 1983. This decade saw a consistent increase in the number of babies named Grayson each year, setting a new precedent for the name's usage.
The 1980s and 1990s witnessed an even more dramatic rise in popularity for Grayson. In 1984, there were 100 births, marking a significant milestone. This was followed by a rapid increase in annual births: from 228 in 1990 to 532 in 1995, and then to 725 in 1998.
The new millennium brought unprecedented heights for the name Grayson's popularity. Between 2000 and 2023, there were over 74,000 births with this name in the United States alone. The highest recorded year was 2015, with an impressive 7,925 births.
In recent years, the popularity of Grayson has shown signs of stabilization, with approximately 6,500 to 8,000 births per year between 2013 and 2023. Nonetheless, this name remains highly popular among parents in the United States, as indicated by its consistently high rankings on lists of most popular baby names.
In conclusion, Grayson has evolved from a relatively uncommon name at the start of the twentieth century to one of the most popular choices for boys' names in recent years. Its steady increase in popularity over the past seven decades demonstrates that Grayson is a enduring and beloved choice among parents across generations.