Declining since 2020.
Popularity of Griff since 1923
Babies named Griff per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1960, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Griff's real moment was 2021.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 12 |
| 1930s | 5 |
| 1940s | 28 |
| 1950s | 60 |
| 1960s | 51 |
| 1970s | 44 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 42 |
| 2020s | 44 |
Meaning & origin
Griff is a concise and sturdy Welsh name, typically a diminutive of Griffith. It first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1923, but it has never cracked the top 1,000. Its peak year so far was 2021, and since 2020 its usage has been declining. Griff remains a rare choice, appealing to parents who favor short, strong-sounding names with Celtic roots.
Griff originates as a diminutive of Griffith, an Anglicized form of the Welsh name Gruffudd. The name Gruffudd is composed of the elements 'cryf,' meaning 'strong,' and 'udd,' meaning 'lord' or 'prince,' giving the full meaning 'strong lord.' Historically, Gruffudd was borne by several medieval Welsh rulers, including Gruffudd ap Llywelyn, a king of Gwynedd and Powys. The nickname Griff emerged as an independent given name in the 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Griffy
Sibling names for Griff
Names that share Griff's style, for a brother or sister.
