Find out how popular the first name Grisell has been for the last 41 years (from 1977 to 2017) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Grisell by gender

Based on the last 41 years of data, Grisell is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2017, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Grisell.

The history of the first name Grisell

The name Grisell has its origins in the Middle Ages, derived from the Old French name Griseldis or Griseldys. It can be traced back to the 14th-century Italian novella "The Tale of the Patient Griselda" by Giovanni Boccaccio, which was part of his famous work "The Decameron." The story revolves around a young woman named Griselda, known for her unwavering patience and obedience to her husband, the Marquis of Saluzzo.

In the tale, Griselda's name is believed to be a combination of the Old French words "gris" (meaning gray) and "zel" (meaning zeal or ardor), potentially symbolizing her humble and steadfast nature. The popularity of Boccaccio's novella contributed to the spread of the name across Europe, particularly in England and France, where it was adapted into various spellings such as Grisell, Grizel, and Grizzel.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Grisell can be found in the 15th-century English mystery plays known as the "Coventry Corpus Christi Plays." In these religious dramas, the character of Grisell appears as a representation of patience and humility. Additionally, the name appears in several literary works of the time, including the 16th-century play "Patient Grissil" by Thomas Dekker, Ralph Radcliffe Whitehead's 1818 novel "The Patient Grissel," and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's 1868 poem "The Student's Tale."

Throughout history, several notable women have borne the name Grisell. One of the earliest recorded individuals was Grisell Baylies (1640-1702), an English Quaker preacher and writer known for her religious works. Another prominent figure was Grisell Baillie (1665-1746), a Scottish songwriter and poet associated with the early Jacobite movement. In the 18th century, Grisell Bunbury (1775-1855) was an English artist and writer who traveled extensively and published her memoirs.

Moving into the 19th century, Grisell Macdonell (1803-1879) was a Scottish writer and philanthropist known for her work in improving education and living conditions for women. Grisell Huddleston (1835-1927) was an English writer and composer who published several collections of poems and hymns.

While not as common today, the name Grisell has left a lasting imprint on literature and history, reflecting its roots in the medieval tale of patience and virtue.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Grisell was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Grisell, please contact us.

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