A 1980s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Grissel since 1970
Babies named Grissel per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 38 |
| 1980s | 66 |
| 1990s | 64 |
| 2000s | 41 |
| 2010s | 22 |
| 2020s | 6 |
Meaning & origin
Grissel is a rare Scottish variant of Grizel, itself a diminutive of Griselda. In the United States, it first appeared in Social Security records in 1970 and has never ranked among the top 1000 names, reflecting its niche appeal. Its peak year of recorded usage was 1984, and the name has been on a rising trajectory since 2022, suggesting renewed interest. As a Scottish import, Grissel offers a distinctive alternative to more common names, with a sound that feels both vintage and fresh.
Grissel is primarily a Scottish variant of Grizel, itself a diminutive of Griselda. Griselda derives from the Germanic elements 'gris' meaning 'gray' and 'hild' meaning 'battle', but the name is best known through the patient Griselda of Chaucer's Clerk's Tale. In Scotland, the name was historically used as a vernacular form. Grissel was recorded in the U.S. Social Security data beginning in 1970, with its highest rank in 1984.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Grizzy, Zel
Sibling names for Grissel
Names that share Grissel's style, for a brother or sister.
