UK boy's name
Griffyn
Of Welsh origin, a name derived from gryphon, a mythological creature.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2016. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Griffyn is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Griffyn popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2016 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4810, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2016, with 3 births.
This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 2016 to 2016. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
Griffyn is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Griffyn. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2017 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Griffyn ranked #4810 for boys in England and Wales in 2016, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2016, when 3 boys were registered as Griffyn.
- • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Griffyn as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4810
2016
Births in 2016
3
Latest year
Peak year
2016
3 births
Estimated living
3
2026
Meaning
What does Griffyn mean?
The name Griffyn has its origins in the Welsh language, derived from the word "griff" meaning "strong" or "vigorous". It first emerged during the Middle Ages in Wales and surrounding regions of Britain. The spelling "Griffyn" is an anglicized form of the original Welsh name "Gruffudd".
In Welsh mythology and folklore, the griffin was a legendary creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. This powerful and regal symbolism likely contributed to the popularity of the name among the ancient Welsh nobility and ruling classes.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Griffyn can be found in the Welsh chronicle "Brut y Tywysogion" (Chronicle of the Princes), which mentions a ruler named Gruffudd ap Cynan (c. 1055–1137) who was a prominent figure in the struggle for Welsh independence against the Normans.
Throughout the medieval period, the name Griffyn was borne by several notable figures in Welsh history. One such figure was Gruffudd ap Rhys (c. 1090–1137), a prince of the Kingdom of Deheubarth in southwestern Wales who played a significant role in the conflicts between the Welsh and the Anglo-Normans.
In the 14th century, Griffyn Fychan (c. 1330–1369) was a Welsh soldier and landowner who fought alongside the Black Prince during the Hundred Years' War against the French. He is remembered for his bravery and military exploits during the Battle of Poitiers in 1356.
Moving forward in time, Griffyn Vaughan (c. 1575–1638) was a Welsh poet and translator who played a crucial role in the development of the Welsh literary tradition during the Renaissance period. His works helped to preserve and promote the Welsh language and cultural heritage.
Another notable figure was Griffyn ap Rees (c. 1620–1670), a Welsh clergyman and author who wrote extensively on religious and historical topics. His works provide valuable insights into the social and cultural landscape of 17th-century Wales.
These are just a few examples of the many individuals throughout history who have borne the name Griffyn, a name deeply rooted in the rich cultural heritage of Wales and symbolizing strength, vigor, and nobility.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Decades
Griffyn by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Griffyn was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #4810 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Griffyn
- George 121,258
- Gabriel 20,581
- Grayson 7,636
- Gregory 2,925
- Guy 2,646
- Gareth 2,092
- Gethin 1,880
- Georgie 1,872
- Gary 1,575
- Gavin 1,422
- Giovanni 1,252
- Grant 1,199
FAQ
Griffyn: questions and answers
How popular is the name Griffyn in the UK right now?
In 2016, Griffyn was ranked #4810 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Griffyn most popular?
The peak year on record was 2016, with 3 babies registered as Griffyn in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Griffyn?
Of Welsh origin, a name derived from gryphon, a mythological creature.
How many people are called Griffyn in the UK?
A total of 3 babies have been registered as Griffyn across the 1 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.