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Gregory (given name)

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Gregory
Pope Gregory I (Gregory the Great)
Pronunciation/ˈɡrɛɡəri/
GenderMale
Origin
Word/nameGreek via Latin
Meaningwatchful, alert
Region of originworldwide
Other names
Related names

The masculine first name Gregory or Grégory derives from the Latin name "Gregorius", which came from the late Greek name "Γρηγόριος" (Grēgórios) meaning "watchful, alert" (derived from "ἐγείρω" "egeiro" meaning "to awaken, arouse"). (See also the egrḗgoroi or Watcher angels in Second Book of Enoch).

Through folk etymology, the name also became associated with Latin grex (stem greg–) meaning "flock" or "herd". This association with a shepherd who diligently guides his flock contributed to the name's popularity among monks and popes.

Sixteen popes and two antipopes have used the name Gregorius, starting with Pope Gregory I (Gregory the Great). It is tied with Benedict as the second-most popular name for popes, after John.

Although the name was uncommon in the early 20th century, after the popularity of the actor Gregory Peck it became one of the ten most common male names in the United States in the 1950s and has remained popular since.[1]

Name days

The Roman Catholic Church traditionally held the feast of Saint Gregory (the Great) on March 12, but changed it to September 3 in 1969. March 12 remains the name day for Gregory in most countries.

Gregory the Theologian (also known as Gregory of Nazianzus) is one of the Three Hierarchs (Ancient Greek: Οἱ Τρεῖς Ἱεράρχαι; Greek: Οι Τρεις Ιεράρχες). The other two are Basil the Great, also known as Basil of Caesarea and John Chrysostom. All three have separate feast days in January: Basil on January 1, Gregory on January 25, and Chrysostom on January 27.

Forms in different languages

Notable people named Gregory

Religious figures

Aristocrats

Other

Fictional characters

See also

References

  1. ^ "United States Social Security Administration (SSA) Website where the statistics on baby names from 1900 to the present can be looked up)".
Look up Gregory in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
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