Gregory

Gregory is an English given name derived from the Latin Gregorius, itself from the Greek Gregorios, rooted in the verb gregorein, meaning to be awake or to be watchful. The name was borne by sixteen popes, most notably Gregory I, known as Gregory the Great, the sixth-century pontiff who shaped medieval Christianity and after whom Gregorian chant is named. Its long ecclesiastical prominence helped spread the name throughout Europe, producing a wide range of cognates and variants including Gregoire, Gregor, Gregorio, and the French form Grégory. Greg is the most common short form in English-speaking countries.