Griffin Name Meaning & Origin
Griffin
Origin of the name Griffin:
Borrowed from the Welsh, Griffin is from Griffinus, a Latinate form of Griffith which was used in the Middle Ages. Griffith is a Welsh name of debated origin. Some believe it to be an Anglicized form of Gruffydd, the Welsh form of the Roman Rufus (red, ruddy). Others however, think the name is derived from the Old Welsh Grippiud (prince).
From A World of Baby Names by Teresa Norman.
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- Comments and insights on the name Griffin
I love it, I just worry about the associations with the TV show Family Guy. That is not what I want people automatically thinking when I tell them my son's name. My husband said he did not make the connection until I pointed it out and still loves the name. He says that since its not an often heard first name and that is the character's last name that its not what people will go to upon mentioning it. I hope so because its at the top of our favorites list.
- Personal experiences with the name Griffin
Our son is named Griffin and we get a lot of compliments from our generation. It's familiar without being too common and we've often heard, "We know a Griffin who lives in..." or "That was one of our top choices, but we went with..." We use the nickname "Finn" with him and it also goes over well.
Our now 6 year old is named Griffin and we still absolutely love his name. We too get tons of compliments. I have never had anyone make a Family Guy reference, but we have had people ask if we named him after "Gryffindor" house from the Harry Potter books. We didn't, but we're Harry Potter fans so that's a reference we don't mind. He uses the nickname "Griff" sometimes, but mostly prefers to be called "Griffin."
My almost 2 year old is named Griffin. We have never gotten a family guy reference. We do get a fair amount of Harry Potter references, not that i mind (Mommy is a potterhead. lol). Partially that is because we have a single syllable last name starting with D, so if you say his first and last names together, it sounds a lot like Gryffindor. It seems to get a positive reaction from people of all ages. I had only met 1 Griffin, who is my own age, prior to having my son, but since I've heard of several other children having it. It is not overly popular, though, so i don't think i have to worry about him having 5 other kids with his name in his class. He goes by Griff or Griffin. I like Finn as a nickname, it just never suited my son.
My brother is nicknamed Finn, But we use Griffin equally often.
My best friend has a son named Griffin, and his twin is named Elijah nn Eli. They are both very funny and active. Griffin is very generous, and gave away all his halloween candy to his friends . The twins have two little brothers on the way, another set of twins! They will be named Dylan and Atlas.
Our son is 2 and we spelt his name Gryphon some people thought his name was pronounced Greye-fin other than that we haven't had any Family Guy or Harry Potter references. I actual refer to his name as like the biscuit just not spelt the same (Like John Coffey in The Green Mile) Griffin's is an Australasian owned biscuit company founded here in New Zealand.
My name is Griffin and I use the nickname Griff but mostly go by my full name. I've never met another Griffin.
- Nicknames for Griffin
Griff / Grif
Griffy / Griffey
Griffster,
Griffin-dor,
Griffi-saur,
Graffus
Finn / Fin
Finny
Finster
Finnigan
Finnigan-Begin-again- Meanings and history of the name Griffin
The mythological beast called the Griffin had the body and hindquarters of a lion, and the head, front legs, and wings of an eagle. Several ancient traditions (including the Greeks, the Assyrians, and the Egyptians) feature griffins in their symbology. Griffins are usually characterized as noble but fierce creatures, with fearsome fighting ability.
- Famous real-life people named Griffin
Griffin O'Neal, son of actor Ryan O'Neal
Griffin Thomas McIntyre (b. 2007), son of singer Joey McIntyre- Griffin in song, story & screen
Griffin Mill is the main character in Robert Altman's "The Player"
Griffin Pierce-Taylor: character on the TV show Degrassi
Griffin Holbrook: character on the TV show Party of Five
Griffin Darden: character on the TV show Chicago Fire
Peter Griffin: main character on the TV show Family Guy
Griffin King: Main male character in The Steampunk Chronicles by Kady Cross