Greer Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: GREER //ɡrɪr//
Origin: Scottish; Irish
Meaning: Scottish: watchful; Irish: vigilant
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Greer has its roots in the Scottish Gaelic name "Griogair," which is derived from the Latin "Gregorius," meaning "watchful" or "vigilant." The name Gregorius itself traces back to the Greek "Gregorios," stemming from the verb "gregorein," which means "to be awake" or "to be watchful." This etymological journey illustrates the name's transition from Greek to Latin and then into Gaelic, before being adopted into English, particularly in Scotland, where it became a surname before evolving into a given name. Historically, the name Greer has been associated with notable figures, particularly in Scotland.
One significant milestone is the use of the name in the 12th century, when it began to appear as a surname among the Scottish clans. The name gained further recognition through the influence of the Scottish Reformation in the 16th century, during which many names derived from biblical figures, including Gregory, were popularized.
The name Greer, while not directly mentioned in major historical texts, carries the legacy of its roots through various cultural and familial lineages. Culturally, the name Greer resonates with themes of vigilance and watchfulness, qualities that have been valued in various traditions.
The name's association with the Gaelic heritage adds a layer of cultural significance, reflecting the rich history of Scotland and its clans. Additionally, the name has been embraced in literature and the arts, contributing to its enduring presence in various contexts.
Diminutive forms such as "Gree" may have emerged informally, reflecting the name's adaptability and the affection associated with it. Overall, Greer embodies a blend of historical depth and cultural significance, rooted in its etymological origins.
Famous people named Greer
In this section, you will find notable people named Greer. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Greer who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Greer who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Greer Garson is an actress best known for Mrs. Miniver, Random Harvest, and The Miniver Story.
Greer Lankton was an artist best known for her work in the field of soft sculpture and her contributions to the feminist art movement.
Greer Smith is a journalist best known for her reporting on environmental issues and her work with major news outlets.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Greer, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Greer. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Greer was first seen in the United States in 1912.
Greer has ranked as high as #2855 nationally, which occurred in 2025, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Georgia, New York, and Tennessee.
In the past 5 years the name Greer has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Greer is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Greer was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Greer.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 137 | 29 | 108 |
| 2024 | 126 | 27 | 99 |
| 2023 | 106 | 30 | 76 |
| 2022 | 109 | 20 | 89 |
| 2021 | 117 | 20 | 97 |
| 2020 | 114 | 27 | 87 |
| 2019 | 103 | 20 | 83 |
| 2018 | 115 | 27 | 88 |
| 2017 | 105 | 16 | 89 |
| 2016 | 116 | 18 | 98 |
| 2015 | 113 | 25 | 88 |
| 2014 | 82 | 17 | 65 |
| 2013 | 78 | 18 | 60 |
| 2012 | 65 | 14 | 51 |
| 2011 | 63 | 11 | 52 |
| 2010 | 75 | 22 | 53 |
| 2009 | 59 | 7 | 52 |
| 2008 | 63 | 14 | 49 |
| 2007 | 63 | 10 | 53 |
| 2006 | 46 | 7 | 39 |
| 2005 | 46 | 6 | 40 |
| 2004 | 57 | 8 | 49 |
| 2003 | 53 | 8 | 45 |
| 2002 | 39 | 5 | 34 |
| 2001 | 43 | 8 | 35 |
| 2000 | 50 | 5 | 45 |
| 1999 | 67 | 11 | 56 |
| 1998 | 40 | 0 | 40 |
| 1997 | 64 | 9 | 55 |
| 1996 | 70 | 10 | 60 |
| 1995 | 60 | 13 | 47 |
| 1994 | 35 | 0 | 35 |
| 1993 | 36 | 0 | 36 |
| 1992 | 45 | 7 | 38 |
| 1991 | 32 | 8 | 24 |
| 1990 | 35 | 6 | 29 |
| 1989 | 31 | 6 | 25 |
| 1988 | 23 | 0 | 23 |
| 1987 | 29 | 0 | 29 |
| 1986 | 27 | 0 | 27 |
| 1985 | 28 | 5 | 23 |
| 1984 | 37 | 5 | 32 |
| 1983 | 26 | 6 | 20 |
| 1982 | 17 | 0 | 17 |
| 1981 | 21 | 0 | 21 |
| 1980 | 22 | 7 | 15 |
| 1979 | 15 | 0 | 15 |
| 1978 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 1977 | 16 | 0 | 16 |
| 1976 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| 1975 | 29 | 7 | 22 |
| 1974 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| 1973 | 20 | 0 | 20 |
| 1972 | 18 | 0 | 18 |
| 1971 | 23 | 8 | 15 |
| 1970 | 24 | 0 | 24 |
| 1969 | 19 | 0 | 19 |
| 1968 | 24 | 7 | 17 |
| 1967 | 18 | 0 | 18 |
| 1966 | 25 | 0 | 25 |
| 1965 | 18 | 0 | 18 |
| 1964 | 39 | 12 | 27 |
| 1963 | 21 | 0 | 21 |
| 1962 | 35 | 0 | 35 |
| 1961 | 21 | 0 | 21 |
| 1960 | 15 | 0 | 15 |
| 1959 | 23 | 5 | 18 |
| 1958 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 1957 | 15 | 5 | 10 |
| 1956 | 20 | 6 | 14 |
| 1955 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| 1954 | 23 | 6 | 17 |
| 1953 | 23 | 5 | 18 |
| 1952 | 18 | 0 | 18 |
| 1951 | 17 | 6 | 11 |
| 1950 | 22 | 7 | 15 |
| 1949 | 15 | 0 | 15 |
| 1948 | 23 | 7 | 16 |
| 1947 | 38 | 11 | 27 |
| 1946 | 30 | 7 | 23 |
| 1945 | 31 | 6 | 25 |
| 1944 | 22 | 9 | 13 |
| 1943 | 47 | 10 | 37 |
| 1942 | 21 | 6 | 15 |
| 1941 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1936 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1934 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1932 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1927 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1924 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1923 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 1922 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1921 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1919 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1918 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1917 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1916 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1912 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
Top States for Greer (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| GA | 15 | |
| TN | 9 | |
| TX | 6 | |
| LA | 6 | |
| AR | 5 | |
| CA | 5 | |
| FL | 5 |