boy's name
George
JORJ
- Origin Greek
- Gender Boy
- Syllables 1
- Letters 6
- Popularity Top 100 (E&W)
- Births on record 1,643,338
the United States
#126
2025 births
George is a boy's name of Greek origin meaning "farmer" or "worker of the earth," from ge, earth, and ergon, work. Saint George, the dragon-slaying soldier of legend, is patron saint of England, Georgia, Portugal and Catalonia.
- George is a name of Greek origin.
- Peaked in US records in 1921, when 27,682 babies were given the name.
- Its usage has held steady over the past decade in US records.
- Today about 1 in 171 babies in England and Wales is given this name.
- 1 syllable, with the stress on syllable 1.
George over time
Births per decade in the United States, 1880s to 2020s. George is more popular in England and Wales — see the country table below. The striped bar is the 2020s, still in progress — it covers 2020 to 2025, not a full ten years.
Show the numbers
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 47,980 |
| 1890s | 43,703 |
| 1900s | 43,924 |
| 1910s | 177,705 |
| 1920s | 264,005 |
| 1930s | 193,891 |
| 1940s | 210,289 |
| 1950s | 182,054 |
| 1960s | 113,772 |
| 1970s | 65,267 |
| 1980s | 46,081 |
| 1990s | 35,382 |
| 2000s | 28,080 |
| 2010s | 28,440 |
| 2020s (to 2025) | 16,687 |
What George means
George means one who works the earth, joining the Greek words for earth and work. It is occupational at root — a tiller of soil — despite its long association with kings and knights.
Where George comes from
George comes from the Greek Georgios, from ge, earth, and ergon, work, giving a farmer. The same roots produce geography, geology and energy. Saint George was a Roman soldier martyred around 303, and the dragon legend attached to him only centuries later, arriving in western Europe with the Crusades. He was adopted as England's patron under Edward III, whose Order of the Garter took him as its saint. Six English kings have carried the name, and it became so ordinary in England that it stood in for the everyman — though it was rare there before the Hanoverians made it royal.
George in use
The dragon story attached to Saint George centuries after his death, arriving in western Europe with the Crusades.
How popular is George?
In 2025, George was given to 3,082 babies in England and Wales, ranking #7 that year. It is one of the most popular names in England and Wales.
Where George is used
England and Wales figures withhold any name given to fewer than three babies in a year. The historical chart above uses US records, the only series running back to 1880. Data & sources.
Names that peaked alongside George
These names rose and fell in the same era, which is why they tend to sound like they belong together.
Parents who like George also like
Names whose popularity has risen and fallen in step with George over the last century — the same taste, a different name.
3 nicknames for George
Each one is a name in its own right — the figure underneath is how it is doing today, so you can see which short forms are rising and which have faded.
George in other languages
The same name as it is spelled elsewhere — not shortenings, and not different names that merely sound alike. Each one has its own record here.
Sibling names for George
Names from the same era that won't rhyme or share an initial with George — the two things that make a sibling set grate.
Common questions about George
What does the name George mean?
George means "farmer" or "earth-worker," from the Greek ge and ergon.
Did Saint George really slay a dragon?
The legend attached to him centuries after his death and reached western Europe with the Crusades.
How many English kings were named George?
Six.
How popular is the name George?
In 2025, George was given to 3,082 babies in England and Wales, ranking #7 that year. It is one of the most popular names in England and Wales.
Is George a girl's or a boy's name?
George is given almost entirely to boys in birth records.
How many syllables are in George?
George has 1 syllable.
When was George most popular?
George peaked in 1921, when 27,682 babies were given the name. Its usage has held steady over the past decade.
What are the nicknames for George?
George is usually shortened to Geordie, Georgie and Geo.
Is George a good name?
That is not something records can settle, but they can tell you what you would be choosing. George currently ranks #7 in the United States. Its usage has held steady over the past decade. Everything else — how it sounds with your surname, who it reminds you of — is yours.