The name George comes from the Greek word 'georgos,' which means farmer.
The word georgos is derived from the elements 'ge' meaning earth, and 'ergein', which means work.
George is the name of England's patron saint, who is associated with the qualities of honour, bravery and gallantry.
Saint George is believed to have lived in Palestine in the 3rd century AD. He is thought to have been a Roman soldier who protested against the persecution of Christians, before being martyred for his beliefs. Popular legends also credit him with defeating a fire-breathing dragon, although rather than a literal tale, the dragon is believed to be a metaphor for the devil.
The name George didn't become popular in England until the 18th century, when the German-born King George I came to the throne. Subsequently five more British Kings have been called George.
George has recently seen a resurgence in popularity as a name for baby boys, after Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge gave the name to their first son, born on July 22, 2013. Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge is third in line to the throne.
Famous people called George:
Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge, third in line to the throne
George Washington, the first American president
George Clooney, actor
George Lucas, director/screenwriter
George Michael, musician
George Takei, actor
Can be shortened to: Georgie Surnames to avoid pairing George with:
Take care when pairing the name George with a surname beginning with a 'ja' or 'je' sound, as the combination can sometimes sound quite jarring.
Similar names:
Georget, Jordi, Georg, Jorge
Feminine variants:
Georgia, Georgina, Georgie, Georgeanne, Geogette
Celebrities who named their baby George:
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, royalty
Eva Herzigova, model
Kristin Scott Thomas, actor