Declining since 1992, #3,296 for girls today.
Popularity of Griselda since 1906
Babies named Griselda per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 5 |
| 1910s | 5 |
| 1920s | 23 |
| 1930s | 41 |
| 1940s | 77 |
| 1950s | 208 |
| 1960s | 550 |
| 1970s | 1,703 |
| 1980s | 2,231 |
| 1990s | 2,299 |
| 2000s | 1,227 |
| 2010s | 489 |
| 2020s | 266 |
Meaning & origin
Griselda is a Germanic compound name meaning 'gray battle,' known from medieval literature and later adopted across Europe. In the United States, it first appeared in records in 1906, with its peak popularity in 1993. Since 1992, its usage has been on a downward trajectory, and as of 2025 it ranks 3,296 with a 1-in-34,197 frequency. The name is most common in California and Texas, reflecting its particular resonance in Hispanic communities where the variant Griselda (pronounced gree-SEL-dah) is used. While never a top-tier name, Griselda has maintained a steady if modest presence for over a century, appealing to parents drawn to its literary heritage and strong, classic sound.
Griselda derives from the Germanic elements gris (gray) and hild (battle). The name was popularized by Boccaccio's Decameron and Chaucer's Clerk's Tale, where Griselda is the patient, long-suffering wife. It entered English following the Middle Ages and has been used in various European languages, with a particular association with the Latinized form Griseldis.
Where Griselda is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Zelda, Gris, Grissie
Variants: Griseldis, Griselde
Sibling names for Griselda
Names that share Griselda's style, for a brother or sister.
