Green Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Green has its origins in Old English and refers to the color associated with life and nature. It has evolved through various forms in the English language, maintaining its strong connection to the natural world. The name does not have biblical relevance but gained popularity in medieval England. Today, Green is perceived positively, often associated with environmental themes and is common in various forms.
The name Green is most popular in Kentucky, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Green has been stalled for male in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in South. Across generations, 'Green' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 978th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1459th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2464th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 6035th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 15579th out of 16616 names. Discover how the name 'Green' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Green"
Pronunciation
/ɡriːn/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Green originates from the Old English word 'grene', which refers to the color green, and was often used to describe someone who lived near a green place, such as a village or a grassy area.
Meaning
the color of life, renewal, nature, and energy
Language Evolution
Old English: grene, Middle English: grene, Modern English: Green
Historical Usage
The use of Green as a surname became more common in England during the medieval period, particularly in rural areas where the color was associated with nature and the countryside.
Variants & Derivatives
Greene, Grene
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Green is a common surname and given name, often associated with environmentalism and a connection to nature.
Famous People
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr.) who adopted the surname Green for part of his career., Billie Joe Armstrong, lead vocalist of Green Day.
Explore More Green Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Green"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Green"
"Green" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 978th of 7545 | 793 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1459th of 6773 | 407 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2464th of 7552 | 208 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 6035th of 10718 | 42 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 15579th of 16616 | 6 |
Regional Popularity of "Green" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
27.22% 644th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
46.07% 1084th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Green" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Green"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Green" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.