How to say it
GRAY · son
ˈɡreɪ.sən
Masculine
Grayson
Son of the steward
What it means
Old English surname meaning 'son of the grayve' (a steward or bailiff), from Anglo-French graif. Mostly American as a first name, riding the masculine surname-first wave.
Grayson is an English surname meaning 'son of the grayve' (a grayve was a steward or bailiff in Norman-influenced English administration, from Anglo-French graif). The surname spread to the American colonies and stayed local until the early 2000s, when it caught the masculine surname-first wave. Grayson entered the US top 100 in 2013 and reached the top 50 in 2017. Gray is the standard short, also used as a given name in its own right.
How to spell Grayson
The standard spelling is Grayson. Common variants include Greyson, Gray, Grey, but Grayson is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #32 in 2018, currently #51 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Nickname
Gray is the dominant short and is given as a standalone name too. Greyson with an E is the alternate spelling.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Dick Grayson The first Robin in DC Comics, later Nightwing
Spelling variants
- Greyson
- Gray
- Grey
Names with the same feeling
See Grayson from another angle
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Grayson mean?
- Old English surname meaning 'son of the grayve' (a steward or bailiff), from Anglo-French graif. Mostly American as a first name, riding the masculine surname-first wave.
- What does Grayson mean in Old English?
- In Old English, Grayson means "Son of the steward." Grayson is an English surname meaning 'son of the grayve' (a grayve was a steward or bailiff in Norman-influenced English administration, from Anglo-French graif). The surname spread to the American colonies and stayed local until the early 2000s, when it caught the masculine surname-first wave. Grayson entered the US top 100 in 2013 and reached the top 50 in 2017. Gray is the standard short, also used as a given name in its own right.
- How do you pronounce Grayson?
- Grayson is pronounced ˈɡreɪ.sən. Say it as GRAY-son, with the stress on the "gray" syllable.
- How do you spell Grayson?
- The standard spelling is Grayson. Common spelling variants include Greyson, Gray, Grey.
- Is Grayson a boy or girl name?
- Grayson is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Grayson?
- Grayson ranked #51 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.