Of Greek origin.
From the name “Γεώργιος” which derives from the Greek word “γεωργός” meaning “farmer”.
Zeus Georgos was worshipped in Ancient Athens as a god of crops and harvest.
Saint George was a Roman soldier, who lived in 3rd century Palestine and martyred during the persecutions of emperor Diocletian.
Legends describe his defeat of a dragon which is often depicted in art.
After his martyrdom in 303, the name Georgios became widely used among Christians in the Eastern Empire.
Crusaders returning to Western Europe brought stories of Saint George and he became the patron of England, Catalonia, Aragon, and Portugal.
Until the German-born George I came to the British throne in the 18th century, the name was rarely used in England.
Five subsequent British kings have borne the name George.
There are many feminine forms of the name, such as Georgia, Georgiana, Gina, Gena, Jorja.
George has different forms in many languages: Georgios, Giorgio, Jorge, Jurgen, Jordi, Yiorgos, Georg, Yuri, Joris, Kevork, Giorgi, Jyri, Djordje, Göran, Xurxo, Joeri.
Famous bearers are George Washington, George Orwell, George Harrison, George Clooney, George Michael, George Best, George Stephanopoulos, George Gershwin, Georgios Papanikolaou, Giorgio Armani, George Eads, George Chakiris, George Lopez, George Herman “Babe” Ruth Jr., George Benson, George Lucas, George Hamilton, George W. Bush, George Peppard, George S. Patton, George Clinton, George C. Scott, George Sanders, George Stroumboulopoulos, George Kennedy, George Segal, George Bernard Shaw, Jorge Luis Borges, Jorge Amado.
George is a popular name in England, Wales, Greece, Australia, New Zealand and Scotland.
American actor, director, screenwriter and producer George Clooney has won Golden Globe and Academy Awards for acting and producing.
He became widely known for his role in the TV series “ER” and soon after he starred in films such as W. Petersen’s “The Perfect Storm” and “O Brother, Where Art Thou” by Joel & Ethan Coen.
He is engaged in several humanitarian causes.