From Greek 'georgos' meaning 'farmer, earth-worker'; long associated with royalty and Saint George.
George descends from the Greek Georgios, derived from georgos, meaning "farmer" or "earth-worker." It is a name rooted in cultivation and stewardship, and its rise to prominence owes much to Saint George, the early Christian martyr whose legend spread across Europe and the Middle East. The dragon-slaying Saint George became a symbol of courage, chivalry, and holy protection, especially in medieval England, where he was adopted as the nation's patron saint.
Through him, a practical agrarian name gained heroic and martial overtones. George has been carried by an extraordinary range of figures: kings of Britain, including the long line from George I through George VI; the American founding figure George Washington; and cultural giants such as George Eliot, George Orwell, and George Gershwin. That breadth has made the name feel both regal and familiar, solidly at home in palaces, parliaments, and ordinary households alike.
Its style has shifted over time, from stately and traditional to slightly old-fashioned, then back to classic and dependable. In recent years it has been rediscovered by parents drawn to names with historical weight and understated charm. Literary and cultural references keep George anchored in ideas of steadiness, intellect, and public virtue, while its simple sound prevents it from feeling remote. It remains one of those rare names that can suggest both a monarch and a next-door neighbor.