A 1890s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Griffith since 1899
Babies named Griffith per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1918, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Griffith's real moment was 1899.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 7 |
| 1900s | 0 |
| 1910s | 95 |
| 1920s | 148 |
| 1930s | 90 |
| 1940s | 125 |
| 1950s | 136 |
| 1960s | 117 |
| 1970s | 81 |
| 1980s | 117 |
| 1990s | 202 |
| 2000s | 165 |
| 2010s | 161 |
| 2020s | 106 |
Meaning & origin
Griffith, a Welsh patronymic surname turned given name, has been in use since at least 1899, when it was first recorded in U.S. data. It peaked in popularity that same year, which is unusual for a name that has never been common. In the latest year, 2023, it ranked 4,539 with a frequency of 1 in 77,640 births. The name has been on a rising trajectory since 2015, perhaps influenced by the popularity of similar Welsh surnames like Evan and Rhys. Its top state, California, may reflect a broader trend of parents choosing distinctive surnames as first names. Griffith retains a strong, historical feel without being overly heavy, benefiting from the nickname Griff.
Griffith is the Anglicized form of the Welsh patronymic surname ap Gruffudd, meaning 'son of Gruffudd'. The personal name Gruffudd itself is composed of the elements 'cry', meaning 'strong', and 'udd', meaning 'lord' or 'chief'. Historically, it was borne by several medieval Welsh princes and has been used as a given name since the late 19th century, partly revived from the surname.
Where Griffith is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Griff, Grif
Variants: Griffin, Gruffydd, Gruffudd
Sibling names for Griffith
Names that share Griffith's style, for a brother or sister.
