Grizelda

German
"grey battle"

Grizelda Origin and Meaning

The name Grizelda is a girl's name .

Grizelda is a famous folklore figure, noted for her patience and obedience. Her story has been told by Petrarch, Chaucer, Boccaccio and set to music by Scarlatti, Vivaldi and Massenet.

In the most famous telling of her story, Grizelda's husband tests her fidelity and obedience three times. Once at the birth of her daughter, whom he asks Grizelda to give up to be put to death. Grizelda agrees. Her husband asks the same of their second child, a son. Again, Grizelda agrees. Finally, her husband renounces her to marry another. Uncomplainingly, Grizelda leaves. Eventually her husband reveals that he was testing her, and surprises her by showing her her alive and well children and taking her back in.

Grizelda is Anglicized as Grisell or Grizell. Zelda makes an attractive nickname option.

Famous People Named Grizelda

  • Grizelda Boniwe CjiekellaSouth African politician
  • Grizelda Kristiņalast known speaker of the Livonian language
  • Grizelda Elizabeth Cottnam Tonge aka PortiaCanadian poet

Grizelda in Pop Culture

  • Grizeldacharacter from "The Hilarious House of Frightenstein"
  • Grizelda Yewbeamcharacter in Jenny Nimmo's "The Children of the Red King" series
  • Used in "Your Auntie Grizelda" a song by the Monkees