Greek 'away from the earth' — the farthest orbital point, and figuratively any peak or high point.
The point in the orbit of the Moon or a satellite at which it is farthest from the Earth; figuratively, the highest point or climax of something.
From French apogée, from New Latin apogaeum, from Greek apógaion (away from the earth, the far point), the neuter of apógaios (off the earth), from apó (away from, off) + gaîa/gê (earth, land). The prefix apó (PIE *h₂epo, away from, off) gives English apo- in apology (a speaking-away-from, a defence), apostle (one sent away), and apocryphal (hidden away). Greek gaîa (earth, land, the earth-goddess Gaia) may
The name 'George' is an etymological cousin of 'apogee' — both contain the Greek root 'gē' (earth). 'George' comes from Greek 'geōrgos' (farmer, earth-worker), from 'gē' (earth) and 'ergon' (work). So a George is, etymologically, an earth-worker, while an apogee is the point farthest from the earth.