Grzegorz is a Polish masculine given name derived from the Greek name Gregorios, which means "vigilant" or "watchful". It is believed to have been brought to Poland by the first Christian missionaries who arrived in the region during the Middle Ages.
The name Grzegorz was quite popular among the early Piast dynasty rulers of Poland. One notable example is Saint Adalbert of Prague, also known as Wojciech in Polish (which is derived from Grzegorz), who was a bishop and martyr during the 10th century. He was born as Vojtěch in Bohemia but later moved to Poland and took the name Wojciech, which means "vigilant" or "watchful" in Polish.
In Poland, the name Grzegorz is often associated with intelligence, wisdom, and learning, due in part to its historical figures like Saint Adalbert of Prague. It continues to be a popular choice for parents naming their sons today. The name's day is celebrated on April 23rd in the liturgical calendar of the Roman Catholic Church.
Overall, Grzegorz is a name with deep roots in Polish history and culture, carrying a meaningful significance that has been passed down through generations.
The name Grzegorz appears to have been quite popular among parents in the late 1970s and early 1980s with a peak of six births each year in 1979 and 1982. After a drop in popularity, there was another spike in the late 1980s to early 1990s, with eight births in 1989 followed by five births in both 1990 and 1997. In total, there were thirty-five babies named Grzegorz born between 1979 and 1997.