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Home › Baby Names Directory › Grissel

Grissel

♀ Girl

Pronounced GRIS-el /ˈɡrɪs.əl/Medium

Meaning: A short form of Griselda — Germanic gris 'gray' plus hild 'battle'. Grissel (also Grizel, Grissell) was a genuine Scottish given name in earlier centuries; Grisel/Grissel is also used as a short form in Spanish-speaking families.Low

In 30 seconds: Grissel is a short form of Griselda — 'gray battle-maid' — once a real Scottish name (said 'GRIS-el').
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Origin LowScottish, Spanish
MeaningA short form of Griselda — Germanic gris 'gray' plus hild 'battle'. Grissel (also Grizel, Grissell) was a genuine Scottish given name in earlier centuries; Grisel/Grissel is also used as a short form in Spanish-speaking families.
U.S. rank (2024)#14021 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1984
Total births (all-time)≈ 237

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 198419702024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Grissel is a short form of Griselda, from Germanic gris ('gray') and hild ('battle'). Spelled Grizel, Grissell or Grissel, it was a familiar Scottish given name from the sixteenth century onward. In Spanish-speaking families Grisel serves the same purpose. Today it reads as an antique, sturdy choice (said 'GRIS-el').

It appears only rarely in U.S. records. Rare, antique, and sturdy.

Did you know? Grissel (or Grizel) was a working Scottish name for centuries, worn by real women in kirk records and family Bibles — a trimmed-down Griselda long before nickname-names were fashionable (said 'GRIS-el').
Overall data confidence 48%
References — Grissel — Scottish/Spanish short form of Griselda

Variations

GrizelGriselGrissell

Nicknames

GrisEllie

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Grissel…

Griselda— the full name Grissel shortens
Isobel— a like Scottish two-beat classic
Zelda— a like antique-sturdy pick
Maisie— another old Scottish short form

Explore names like Grissel

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Grissel mean?

Grissel means 'gray battle-maid' — it is a short form of Griselda, from Germanic gris and hild.

How do you pronounce Grissel?

It's said GRIS-el /ˈɡrɪs.əl/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Grissel a Scottish name?

Yes — Grissel and Grizel were genuine Scottish given names for centuries; Grisel also serves as a Spanish short form.

How popular is Grissel?

Grissel is rare in the U.S. and uncommon in Scotland today.

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