Gresham Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: GREH-shum //ˈɡrɛʃ.əm//
Origin: English; Old English
Meaning: English: From the gravelly homestead; Old English: Grassy home
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Gresham has its roots in Old English, derived from the elements "grēos" meaning "gravel" and "hām" meaning "home" or "village." This etymology suggests a geographical origin, likely referring to a homestead or settlement built upon gravelly land. The name appears in various forms throughout history, including Greshem and Gresham, and it entered the English lexicon as a surname before being adopted as a given name.
The transition into English can be traced back through the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century, where many Old English names were influenced by Norman French and Latin, but retained their original meanings and associations. Historically, the name Gresham is associated with several notable figures, particularly in England.
One prominent example is Sir Thomas Gresham (c. 1519–1579), a financier and founder of the Royal Exchange in London, who played a significant role in the economic development of England during the Tudor period.
His legacy is reflected in the name of Gresham College, established in 1597, which continues to promote education and public lectures. The name also appears in various historical documents and records, indicating its use among the English gentry and its presence in place names across England.
Culturally, Gresham has been linked to themes of stability and prosperity, likely due to its association with land and settlement. The name evokes a sense of rootedness in the English landscape, which has contributed to its endurance over the centuries.
Additionally, diminutive forms such as Gresh may have emerged in informal contexts, although they are less documented. Overall, Gresham carries with it a rich historical and cultural significance, reflecting both its linguistic origins and its connections to notable figures in English history.
Famous people named Gresham
In this section, you will find notable people named Gresham. 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 Gresham who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Gresham 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.
Gresham Machen was a theologian best known for founding Westminster Theological Seminary and authoring Christianity and Liberalism.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Gresham, 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 Gresham. 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 Gresham was first seen in the United States in 1918.
Gresham has ranked as high as #1383 nationally, which occurred in 2014, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Gresham has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Gresham 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 Gresham was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Gresham
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
No state data available for this year.
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 Gresham.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2018 | 9 |
| 2017 | 11 |
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2014 | 12 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2012 | 9 |
| 2011 | 9 |
| 2008 | 7 |
| 2007 | 8 |
| 2006 | 7 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 1999 | 5 |
| 1972 | 7 |
| 1926 | 5 |
| 1921 | 5 |
| 1918 | 5 |