The scientific name is the Latin for "partridge", and like the English name, is derived from Ancient Greek πέρδιξ "perdix".

[5] In the hand, the so-called "cross of Lorraine" on the tertiary coverts of females are marked with two transverse bars, as opposed to the one in males.

Widespread and common throughout much of its range, the grey partridge is evaluated as "of Least Concern" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

It has been introduced widely as a gamebird into Canada, United States, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

[citation needed] Though common and not threatened, it is declining in numbers in some areas of intensive cultivation such as the United Kingdom, due to a loss of breeding habitat and insecticides harming insect numbers, an important food source for the species.