George (/ˈdʒɔːrdʒ/in English or [d͡ʒe̯ord͡ʒe] in Romanian) is a masculine given name, of English and Romanian origin, derived from the Greek Geōrgios (Γεώργιος; Ancient Greek: [geɔ́ːrgios] Modern Greek: [ʝeˈorʝios]).[1][2] The name gained popularity due to its association with the Christian martyr, Saint George (died 23 April 303), a member of the Praetorian Guard who was sentenced to death for his refusal to renounce Christianity, and prior to that, it might have been a theophoric name, with origins in Zeus Georgos, an early title of the Greek god Zeus.[3][4] Today, it is one of the most commonly used names in the Western world, though its religious significance has waned among modern populations. Its diminutives are Geordie and Georgie, with first limited primarily to residents of England and Scotland, and its feminine forms, used in the Anglosphere, are Georgeanna, Georgeanne, Georgene, Georgia, Georgiana, and Georgina.